Meet Shirleen Leong Man

Shirleen Leong Man lives in Johannesburg and has expertise in accounting and HR. Shirleen has been Chairman of the Southern Africa Chinese Sports Association (SACSA) for almost 35 years and is now the Honorary President. She has been involved with Southern Gauteng Chinese Sports Association for over 40 years. Shirleen is on the Hong Ning Chinese Aged Home Committee, the TCA committee and also Chairman of the TCA Women’s Federation.

"Do not forget that you are Chinese and what hardships your forefathers had to endure to come here to South Africa to make a better life for future generations. Be proud of who you are. Learn to speak your own language and identify with Chinese culture. Go and visit China to see what former village you come from. Be open minded." ~ Shirleen Leong Man

Read more about why Shirleen is proud to be Chinese and proud to be South African.

Name: Shirleen Leong Man

Occupation: Accounting, HR

1. Where were you born?

Sophiatown, Johannesburg

2. What school/college/university did you attend?

Matriculated at the Chinese Kuo Ting School in Siemert Road, Doornfontein.
Attended many courses at adult education institutions.

3. What is your fondest childhood memory, growing up as a Chinese child?

Going to the Chinese school hall and attending weddings and functions. Also after going to a movies with my family and going to Wah Nam Restaurant in Chinatown and having midnight snacks.

4. What is your favourite Chinese food?

Anything with noodles

5. Where do you live?

Kensington, Johannesburg

6. What work do you do?

Mainly accounting. In charge of the debtors and wages, and overseeing all the staff in the contracts dept. Helping to implement new accounting systems.

7. What do you love about your job?

My work varies from accounting to HR. I can double up on many of the tasks, so it is not boring. My time is my own.

8. What is your proudest achievement?

I have been Chairman of the Southern Africa Chinese Sports Association for almost 35 years and now am the Honorary President. Have been involved with Southern Gauteng Chinese Sports Association for over 40 years. Presently I am still involved running of the Easter Tournament, also on the Hong Ning Chinese Aged Home Committee, the TCA committee and also Chairman of the TCA Women’s Federation.

SACSA runs the annual Easter Tournament where Chinese from all regions in South Africa and sometimes neighbouring countries participate in many sports, have social gatherings and make friends. During past years we have even brought Chinese teams from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Reunion, Singapore, Mauritius and Zimbabwe to participate. We have in turn also participated in Taiwan, Mauritius and Reunion.

9. Why are you proud to be South African?

South Africa is the only place that I know and what I have achieved is through hard work and determination. This is where I was brought up through all the hard times.

10. Why are you proud to be Chinese?

The Chinese have a rich and interesting culture and many traditions. One cannot stop to admire their determination in whatever they do. Their craftsmanship and embroidery is superb. Other nationalities look upon us as been clever in whatever we achieve.

11. Name one Chinese tradition that you’d like future generations to continue with?

Look after your parents and honour your ancestors .Have remembrance family gatherings one a year so that you do not lose your identity and customs.

12. What advice would you give to the Chinese youth today in South Africa?

Do not forget that you are Chinese and what hardships your forefathers had to endure to come here to South Africa to make a better life for future generations. Be proud of who you are. Learn to speak your own language and identify with Chinese culture. Go and visit China to see what former village you come from. These villages are now big towns. Be open minded.

13. Is there anything else that you’d like to share with the Chinese community?

Our family has always been involved with Community work. We have given our time freely. I encourage other Chinese to make time to interact with and support our charities and community projects. This is one way of identifying with who you are.