SOUTHERN AFRICA SHANGHAI INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL LIAISON ASSOCIATION (SASICLA)
In the early 1990s many Chinese originally from Shanghai were looking to the rainbow nation of South Africa to establish their businesses in the country. Within a number of years the community of new migrants in South Africa had grown. The increase in numbers gave rise to a need to organize under more formal structures. An association would mean newcomers could be better supported and their concerns and aims addressed more efficiently. As a result the Southern Africa Shanghai Industrial and Commercial Liaison Association (SASICLA) were formed and came into being in December 1997.
SASICLA’s head offices are in Johannesburg and covers not just South Africa, but Southern Africa as well. The purpose of SASICLA is to create unity and deepen ties between the Shanghai Chinese community and local South Africans as the solid basis from which mutual business interests can grow and flourish. As a business association SASICLA seeks to create networks, trade links and new opportunities for Chinese business people as well as their South African counterparts.
SASICLA is one of the first associations set up by the Chinese community in South Africa. It is recognized by the South African government on a national, provincial and local level, the Chinese embassy as well as local business and civic associations. In the more than fifteen years since its establishment, SASICLA has taken an active role in maintaining ties with China, while promoting better integration of the Chinese community in South Africa. Some of the significant milestones and activities that SASICLA has been involved with over the years include:
- 1997: SASICLA welcomes the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa.
- 2004: SASICLA establishes the “South Africa Chinese community Co-operation Centre”. The Centre is launched by the Chinese embassy in South Africa and enjoys the support of a number of other Chinese associations.
- 2005: SASICLA holds a successful spring festival involving many Chinese communities in South Africa as well as local South Africans.
- Since 2005, SASICLA has participated annually in a number of upliftment projects in South Africa. These include an initiative that is jointly organized by the Chinese Consul General and the Gauteng Provincial Legislature to help vulnerable families in Alexandra township.
- 2010: SASICLA encourages thousands to attend the Shanghai World Expo. It was an opportunity to cement trade ties between South Africa and China.
- In 2014, our organization independently edited and published a book titled “Chasing Dreams – Shanghai People in Africa,” which reflects the lives and development of Shanghai natives in South Africa.
- In 2015, SASICLA collaborated with South African television to produce a four-episode television series titled “Chinese in South Africa,” which was broadcast on China Central Television Channel 4 (CCTV 4) during the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) that same year.
- 2017 to present: SASICLA has participated Shanghai International Import Expo (CIIE) since 2017 and organized South African firms to the conference, and it has already the sixth year. The Shanghai International Import Expo is an international trade exhibition held in China, aimed at encouraging international trade and promoting imports. Each year’s CIIE attracts companies and exhibitors from around the world who showcase various products and services at the event.
- 2023: SASICLA successfully organized the first China Film Festival in Johannesburg, South Africa. We will continue organize more Chinese movies to South Africa.
SASICLA’s continued efforts to bolster communication and to improve business links between the South African community and the Chinese has translated into positive economic boosts for South Africa. The association has more than 700 members across the SADC (South African Development Community). The combined annual turnover of these businesses amounts to R10 billion ploughed in local economies. As SASICLA continues to grow from strength to strength the association is committed to furthering the business networks of our members along with looking for win-win business opportunities for Chinese in South Africa and South Africans alike.