Chinese Consul General in Cape Town Ren Faqiang Attends the Fourth “Culture of China - Cape Town Dragon Boat Festival”

The 4th Cultures of China Cape Town Dragon Boat Festival was successfully held at Battery Park in Cape Town on 30 May 2026. Ren Faqiang, Chinese Consul General in Cape Town, attended the event by invitation and delivered an address. Also present were Mr. Les Govender, Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces; Ms. Les Alexandra Abrahams, Deputy Minister of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition; Alderman James Vos, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Growth, City of Cape Town; and Mr. Idries Meyer, Chairman of the Cape Town Dragon Boat Association, among other guests.

Consul General Ren donated two dragon boats to the Cape Town Dragon Boat Association on behalf of Chinese Consulate General. He remarked that dragon boat racing is the most iconic folk activity of the Dragon Boat Festival, embodying traditional Chinese cultural values of solidarity, teamwork and the drive to forge ahead. He expressed the hope that the two donated dragon boats would help local dragon boat enthusiasts chase their dreams on the racecourse, and that the dragon boat spirit would serve as a bond linking the friendship between China and South Africa.

Co-hosted by Cape Town's overseas Chinese community and the Cape Town Dragon Boat Association, the festival has run for four consecutive editions this year, with a total of 12 teams taking part in the races. The venue featured a host of interactive cultural activities including arrow throwing, shuttlecock kicking, cultural performances and a Chinese food market, drawing thousands of people to experience the fun.