Capt Ezra October and Shwu-ing Liou with some of the children who received 350 food and gift parcels organised by the China Town retail centre in Ottery.

The ongoing success of the R50 million 7 500m² China Town retail centre at Ottery next to the Hypermarket has been demonstrated by a charity donation to some 350 hungry and, in some cases, homeless families living in the precinct.

Shwu-ing Liou, one of China Town’s trustees, responded to an appeal by a local pastor, Pat Thomas, of the Ottery Baptist Church. On behalf of China Town he donated a substantial cash sum which was used to buy food parcels – and then he set about organising for China Town tenants also to donate clothing, shoes, blankets, food, sweets and other goods.

Assisted by Keith Blake and congregants of the Baptist Church, over 350 food and gift parcels were given out at a Saturday morning gathering in China Town – to the great joy of the appreciative recipients.

A small SAPS contingent was present to ensure a fair distribution and Captain Ezra October of the police community head office made use of the opportunity to encourage those present to ensure that, whatever their own problems, their children received a good education and were looked after and protected at all times.

Shwu-ing Liou told those present that the Chinese community feel welcome and at home in Cape Town and were grateful for this opportunity to express their gratitude.

Ninety-five per cent of the goods traded at China Town are imported from China and 95% of the tenants are also of Chinese origin, although some have lived at the Cape for many years. But the centre has also employed many people from the local community.

The goods on offer, said Kruger, tend to be considerably less expensive than those of other outlets in Cape Town. Items stocked include clothing, shoes, luggage, handbags, linen, crockery, blankets, toys, electrical and electronic goods, toys and decorations – and food.

“There is also a food court with three outlets, including a Chinese eatery and two Halaal outlets.”

Liou urged more Capetonians to visit China Town to discover for themselves “just how inexpensive the goods here are and how courteous and friendly our tenants always are.”

The China Town Trust is now in the final stages of arranging to open a similar centre to serve the Milnerton to Northern suburbs precinct of Cape Town. Details on this will be released shortly.

Call Steve Kruger on 082 572 6715 or email propman@iafrica.com.