Mondaywrap07july2014

Always Free

ISSUE NO.5

MONDAY WRAP Western Province Chinese Association July 07 2014

Chef Graham Lai Lam, Mrs Maureen Kai, Mr Ming Kai, receptionist Mrs Dorothy Jackson and dining-room supervisor Mr Lucky Jackson with the Pagoda Inn’s 21st birthday key.

Mrs Lorraine Sa Joe, Miss Monica Lai Lam, Miss Sandy Jackson, Mrs Maureen Kai, Miss Fiona Lai Lam and Mrs Dorothy Jackson all ready and “waiting” to serve.

PAGODA INN 29 BREE STREET CAPE TOWN 10/12/1965 – 30/11/2003 What was originally a nightclub – Billiard Salloon owned by Mr Benny Katz, seemed like a suitable premises for our new venture. Situated on the 1st floor of a three-storey building with a pancake shop at street level and a recording studio on the 2nd floor.

Ming and I were taking a huge risk by spending the little money we had on ripping out all the old fittings, installing two boiling tables with 6 gas burners, two smaller gas stoves, walk in cold room, an extractor and canopy, stainless steel work tops, cupboards, setting up shelving in the pantry (made with old crates which were used in delivering our supplies) furnishing the dining room with tables, chairs, crockery, table cloths, reception area and two air condtioners. A famous artist Mr Babis did a fantastic job with the wall murals , décor and stairway in an all Chinese theme.

Opening night a gentleman delivered our table numbers and what a relief when he asked whether we wanted to pay COD or should he bill us – we had at that time R3.00 in cash between us and still owed a huge amount for tables and chairs.

Soon we were expanding our staff joined by Lucky Jackson who loyally remained with us for 34 years. He was a great waiter with an unbelievable memory for personal preferences of many of our regular patrons, plus assisting with many other chores. Dorothy Jackson soon joined us until her untimely death at a young age.

Graham Lai Lam joined us as a waiter in 1972 and remained with us for 31 years. He later took charge of cooking and coped extremely well under pressure which resulted in service excellence to our delighted patrons. We remained in constant contact with many of our customers and most of our staff.

Pagoda Inn closed its doors more than 10 years ago, making way for a new building which is now a parking garage for 700 cars plus retail shops at street level. We are still approached up to this day by people who remembered us from way back then, wanting to know if we had relocated.

Pagoda Inn became very well known having served celebrities like Vladimir Tretchikoff, Chris and Barbara Barnard, Judge Baker, Gerry Bosman, Gregoire Boonzaier to name but a few.

Ming developed heart problems at an early stage of our restaurant life on the eve of our departure to Lourenço Marques. Nevertheless we enjoyed many local and overseas trips making it a regular “shutdown” in mid year school holidays.

Having spent half my life in the restaurant, I can reminisce with great satisfaction that I have done it all from waitressing, takeaways, cooking , food preparation, administration, bookkeeping (my own style) and even washing of floors and dishes at times.

I had no regrets about closing the restaurant but was deeply saddened by the destruction of the murals by the demolition squad.

The 10th December 1965 was a great start and 30th November 2003 was an even greater ending.

Thank God for many blessings.

Gary Chu, PRC Chinese Ambassador Tian Xuejun, Robert Wong and Keith Keeson attended a function for the Chinese Naval fleet.

Congratulations to the following: Jason and Lyndelle Lok due early July.

Clinton and Cardene Forlee due in September.

Edwin and Sherri Lee Pan due in November.

Davrin and Stacy Low Ah Kee due in November.

If you want any news in this weekly wrap, please email your photos and news items to: rwong@colorfuzion.co.za

A Chinese Navy fleet consisting of 2 missile frigates and a supply ship docked in Cape Town on Tuesday 17th June 2014. Local visitors were allowed to board missile frigates Yancheng and Luoyang during the four-day visit.

The warships were welcomed by a cheering crowd.

Among them were Chinese Ambassador Tian Xuejun, high-ranking South African Navy Officers, and overseas Chinese in South Africa.

The fleet is on its 8 African country tour after completing escort missions as the 16th Escort Task Force. South Africa is also the last stop of the tour.

In the past 6 years, the Escort Task Group of the Chinese Navy has actively participated in escort missions of the international community in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia, escorting more than 5,500 vessels from different countries.

The Yancheng of this Escort Task Group has also successfully completed the escort mission of 7 batches of Syrian chemical weapons.

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