The South African Women’s Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong is open to women and men who share the organisation’s vision and mission of building bridges between China and South Africa’s youth and women. 

This dynamic organisation welcomes anyone who can assist with their existing projects, or who would like to initiate a new project that matches it’s vision and mission.

Lizette Smook, the founder and CEO, wrote to tell us about some of the exciting activities they have lined up:

1.  24 March  (Thursday at 8am.)

SAWCC guest Corinne Heijn address the Women of Influence (WOI) in the Amcham Boardroom – please book directly on by clicking Here

Corinne will be having dinner with some prominent women at the China Club on Tuesday night 22 March. Please contact Lizette Smook if you are interested in attending.

2.  23 March:

Rugby Sevens Dinner – please contact Bruce Fowler at the SAAHK for possible late availability of tickets. Morne du Plessis is the guest speaker.

3.  24-27 March (Friday – Sunday) 

Hong Kong Sevens Rugby (Hong Kong Stadium)

4.  April

Digital art exhibition from South African photographers at the HKAPA – Details will be on the SAWCCHK website soon

5.  April 2011:

South African National Day Celebrations

6.  May 12th

Special invitation from the ROSL – Lunchtime talk at Hong Kong Club by the new Hong Kong Commissioner of Police.

7.  May 23rd

Africa Week BBQ dinner at the Peak residence of our dear Branch Patron, the South African Consul-General. Details & booking form to follow, soon.

8.  August / September 2011

South African Family Braai

 For the latest updates on the activities above, or for information on the SAWCC HK, Click Here 

The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) today announced the draw and ten international teams taking part in the Cable&Wireless Worldwide Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens 2011.

This year marks the 14th anniversary of the Cable&Wireless Worldwide Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens and the debut of Russia, the Philippines and Chinese Taipei to the tournament.

“Cable&Wireless Worldwide is excited to be sponsoring the Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens for the eighth year running. It is a privilege to be part of one of Hong Kong’s key sporting events. We truly admire the team spirit and dedication to the game demonstrated by the players, which mirrors our commitment to working with our customers as a team for their continued success,” said Nick Lambert, Managing Director, Global Markets, Cable&Wireless Worldwide.

First held in 1997, the Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens has paved the way for the first IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai (March 2009) and the inclusion of Rugby Sevens in the 2016 Olympic Games. Each year, the tournament draws new international teams to the competitive stage, with Russia, the Philippines and Chinese Taipei taking part in this year’s fight for the Cup.

(L-R) Coach Zanio Yong, Asisstant Coach Andy Yuen and the HKRFU ‘s Ruth Mitchell

“The Philippines’ participation in the Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens is a tribute to the in roads we are making to develop Women’s Rugby in the Asian region. Each year, the region moves from strength-to-strength, with the debut of Malaysia last year, Chinese Taipei and the Philippines this year,” said Ruth Mitchell, HKRFU Director of Development.

“We are delighted to have such a strong representation of international squads. We have only invited sanctioned National teams to this year’s tournament and with no representatives from the Southern Hemisphere this year, the stage is truly set for a battle between East and West.”

The tournament draw took place today (Saturday 12 March 2011)  at King’s Park Sports Ground Club House and the results are:

HKRFU Director of Development Ruth Mitchell with the Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens training squad

Organizers of the Cable & Wireless Worldwide Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens 2010 (HKWRS) last week announced the 12 participating teams to compete in this year’s event.

Due to the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup being held in England in September, this year’s tournament field will play host to a mixed roster of highly competitive national teams from around Asia Pacific and some of the women’s rugby world’s most prestigious club and invitational sides.

The 12 participating teams include eight national representative sides from Asia, led by the reigning IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 Bowl Champions China, who recently beat the United States Eagles in a major upset at the Las Vegas Sevens, and Kazakhstan, Asia’s sole direct entry to the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup (15s) this year in London. Other Asian teams include the Arabian Gulf, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and hosts Hong Kong.

The national team of Papua New Guinea rounds out the full representative squads at this year’s tournament. Three of the world’s premier women’s club sides are also taking part including five-time Cup champions Aotearoa Maori from New Zealand. The Aussie Amazons from Australia and Pretoria University’s Tuks from South Africa complete the competitive field.

The Tuks Rugby Club is attached to South Africa’s University of Pretoria and has been in existence for more than a century. It is one of the biggest rugby club in the country with around 55 teams and more than 100 coaches and team managers running the Tuks rugby machine.

The Cable & Wireless Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens will be played from 07.30am – 06.00pm on Friday, 26 March 2010 at the Hong Kong Football Club. The Cup final will be held at 19.04 during the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens at the Hong Kong Stadium.

Now entering its thirteenth year, the Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens has grown into one of the top annual fixtures in the women’s rugby world. The tournament is fully supported by the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union, the Asian Rugby Football Union and the International Rugby Board. For the fifth consecutive year, the Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens is being title sponsored by Cable & Wireless Worldwide.

2009 Cable & Wireless HK Women’s Rugby Sevens Cup Finalists Australia (24) vs. China (7)

In May 2008 a number of dynamic expatriate South African ladies got together at the South African Consulate in Hong Kong.  Among the issues that were discussed on the day was a general interest by some of the ladies to assist with the exchange of internees from South African universities and companies to work in Hong Kong.

One thing led to another and after much planning and meetings, the Consulate sponsored two business-women who travelled to South Africa where they spoke to universities as well as companies about what was proposed for the development of successful young South African and Chinese business people and entrepreneurs.

The ladies futher decided to house this project independent of, but with the full support of the Consulate.  This led to the establishment of the fully constituted South African Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong  (SAWCC of HK) by the founding members Lizette Smook, Tembi Tambo and Charmaine Kleu.

The South African Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong

In short, the SAWCC of HK aims to promote sound relations with business, government and other relevant organisations in Hong Kong and to promote trade, tourism and investment between South Africa and Hong Kong.

Various community-building events for the broader South African community in Hong Kong are also being planned.  More details will of course be published right here on Howzit-HongKong.  

During a recent meeting at the Consulate, Ms Tambo reiterated her belief that there are many South Africans living in Hong Kong who share the vision of the Chamber and who have specific skills that can be used to the benefit of the Chamber.  For this reason, she would like to invite anyone interested in joining the SAWCC of HK to contact Lizette Smook to learn more or to find out when the next meeting will be held. Lizette can be reached via e-mail on:

lizette(dot)smook(at)gmail(dot)com  

The SAWCC of HK has different levels of membership so do contact Lizette to find out which one is best for you or your company.  Best of all, in addition to the excellent networking opportunities, membership of the SAWCC of HK comes with a host of benefits.  There are so many that it’s impossible to list them all here.  Expect though, to find:

* Facial vouchers worth at least HK$1000

* Conrad Hotel discount vouchers

* discount on California Fitness membership

* Numerous restaurant discount vouchers, etc.

You can also download and print an application form here