SA a home away from home for the Chinese

FOR GUANG Zeng, 45, his heritage was in the inheritance of the Tong Lok, a 40-year-old family restaurant and takeaway on the Berea.

Tong Lok offers Asian delicacies prepared according to Zeng’s prized recipes which have been passed through generations.

“In China, we must eat together as a family because we believe sharing is caring,” he said.

Zeng is fluent in Cantonese, a language spoken mainly in Guangzhou, a culture-rich city in southern China where Zeng was born.

About daily traditions in China, he said: “Culture is changing as we have become more westernised and celebrate mostly the main holidays.”

Each year, Zeng joins the Chinese community in Durban to celebrate the Mid-autumn Festival and swop mooncakes (Chinese dessert) as an observance of culture.

For Zeng, South Africa is a home away from home and his Chinese culture has evolved to include South African flavours.