Vivianne Garside gives talk on Zulu beadworks

Posted on December 30, 2010, Thursday

KUCHING: Local crafts and culture enthusiasts had a taste of South African crafts when Vukani Zulu Cultural Museum curator Vivianne Garside gave a heritage talk at the Sarawak Museum yesterday.

INTRICATE: Garside shows a piece of Zulu beadwork during the heritage talk at Sarawak Museum yesterday.

Garside regaled an audience of around 35 people about the history of Vukani Zulu Cultural Museum, located in Eshowe, Zululand. She also talked about the works from Vukani Collection Trust, a multi-cultural group of local residents who made it their mission to rescue old traditional items and create opportunities for craft makers to market their works to a contemporary audience.“We are continuously discovering new crafters of good standards,” Garside said.

The museum’s mandate was to support the community by opening new markets for the local crafters, most of whom were single mothers.The Vukani Zulu Cultural Museum was established in 1991 with personal collections of Rev Kjell and Bertha Lofroth.Garside explained that with local market abandoning organic-based beads and crafts in favour of those made from glass and plastic, traditional crafters were left in a quandary.“Rev Kjell asked the crafters to bring their goods to the mission, who tried and helped them sell it,” she said.

Rev Kjell, Bertha and their friend Baba Elliot Dludla became the driving force behind Vukani Association which almost single-handedly created a new market for Zululand crafters.Garside added that Zulu beadwork was the most popular tourist souvenir, although they were usually very derivative of the traditional work.

Grand finale of Miss Cheongsam Charity on Feb 16

Posted on February 1, 2011, Tuesday by Borneo Post

KUCHING: This year’s Miss Cheongsam Charity will raise funds for six Chung Hua primary schools in Kuching.

The event’s main sponsor Naim Holdings Berhad got the ball rolling by donating RM50,000 to Chung Hua Primary School No. 1 as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) in education. A press release by organiser Alaric Soh said the final on February 16 at Riverside Majestic Hotel promises to be an exciting event because of the interesting pool of 18 finalists.

“A total of 18 beautiful and talented young ladies have made it to the grand finale of Miss Cheongsam Charity 2011. They are equally adventurous and determined, and everyone is unique and beautiful in their own way, but most importantly they share a common desire to foster closer friendship between the people and are willing to contribute in charity work for a good cause,” he said. Miss Cheongsam Charity 2011 also sees an increase in cash prizes.

The winner will walk away with RM5,000, first runner-up RM3,000, second runner-up RM2,000, third runner-up RM1,000 and fourth runner-up RM800. Those winning subsidiary titles for the Best Cheongsam design, Miss Talent, Miss Charity, Miss Friendship and Miss Photogenic will get RM500 each, whereas those who fail to win any title will receive RM300 cash each.

The charity event is organised by Alaric’s Productions Company, a company certified with ISO9001:2000 in Quality Management in Beauty Pageant. This event has been held for 21 consecutive years as an annual community and Chinese New Year celebrations programme. Proceeds will also go to Hun Nam Siang Tng Benevolent Society.

For seat reservation, contact the organiser at 014-6800000.

The 18 finalists are:

Chien Joon Ching

No.1, Chien Joon Ching, aged 20 yrs, a Hakka girl from Kuching, height 157cm, born in the Year of the Horse; a university student and a part-time tutor. During her free time, she likes to surf the Internet and watch TV, and she hopes to be a successful businesswoman.

Ho Sing Fang

No.2, Ho Sing Fang, aged 20 yrs, a Hakka girl from Kuching, height 159cm, born in the Year of the Horse; a Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) student. During her free time, she likes workouts at the gym, blogging and dancing, and she aims to be a lecturer and a model.

Hii Wee Chia

No.3, Hii Wee Chia, aged 18 yrs, a Foochow girl from Bintulu, height 160cm, born in the Year of the Monkey; a student in beauty care. During her free time, she likes shopping and online chatting, and she aspires to be a beautician.

Sim Heng Leng

No.4, Sim Heng Leng, aged 22 yrs, a Teochew girl from Kuching, height 161cm, born in the Year of the Dragon; a secretary. During her free time she likes singing, dancing, reading and playing badminton, and she hopes to be a successful businesswoman.

Wee Pek Choo

No.5, Wee Pek Choo, aged 19 yrs, a Hokkien girl from Kuching, height 161cm, born in the Year of the Goat; a part-time model. During her free time, she likes dancing, singing and making friends, and her ambition is to be a famous fashion designer.

Lai Chie Ying

No.6, Lai Chie Ying, aged 20 yrs, a Hakka girl from Kuching, height 161cm, born in the Year of the Horse; a student in Business Administration. During her free time, she likes shopping, reading and watching movies, and she aims to be a successful businesswoman.

Thye Chin Sien

No.7, Thye Chin Sien, aged 20 yrs, a Hakka girl from Kuching, height 162cm, born in the Year of the Goat; a make-up artist. During her free time, she likes shopping, travelling, reading and singing, and she aspires to own a fashion boutique.

Lee Pei Shih

No.8, Lee Pei Shih, aged 18, a Hakka girl from Kuching, height 166cm, born in the Year of the Monkey; helping in her family’s stationery business. During her free time, she likes reading magazines and shopping, and she hopes to a successful make-up artist.

Yii Mei Hong

No.9, Yii Mei Hong, aged 24, a Foochow girl from Sibu, height 170cm, born in the Year of the Tiger; a reporter. During her free time, she likes helping others, writing, cooking, reading and singing, and her ambition is to be a successful businesswoman.

Bong Choon Na

No.10, Bong Choon Na, aged 22, a Hakka girl from Kuching, height 175cm, born in the Year of the Dragon; a hair stylist. During her free time, she likes reading fashion magazines, watching movie and shopping, and she aspires to be a famous professional hairstylist and model.

Yong Zi Hui

No.11, Yong Zi Hui, aged 21 yrs, a Hakka girl from Miri, height 169cm, born in the Year of the Snake; a part-time student in Business. During her free time, she likes shopping and watching TV, and she hopes to be a successful businesswoman and a famous actress.

Sim Shy Nee

No.12, Sim Shy Nee, aged 25 yrs, a Teochew girl from Kuching, height 162cm, born in the Year of the Ox; an administrator. During her free time, she likes swimming, and she aspires to be an air stewardess.

Chan Ngiik Mei

No.13, Chan Ngiik Mei, aged 21 yrs, a Cantonese girl from Sarikei, height 164cm, born in the Year of the Snake; a college student working part-time in a bank. During her free time, she likes reading story books and socialising, and she aims to be a successful woman.

Then Ching Xian

No.14, Then Ching Xian, aged 23 yrs, a Hakka girl from Kuching, height 162cm, born in the Year of the Dragon; a general clerk. During her free time, she enjoys shopping and reading, and she aims to be a successful businesswoman.

Kong Ying Ying

No.15, Kong Ying Ying, aged 19 yrs, a Hakka girl from Limbang, height 158cm, born in the Year of the Goat; helping in her family restaurant business. During her free time, she likes shopping, online chatting and meeting new friends, and her ambition is to be a successful businesswoman.

Tay Wei Wei

No.16, Tay Wei Wei, aged 17 yrs, a Hokkien girl from Serian, height 158cm, born in the Year of the Rooster; a student in Accounting. During her free time, she enjoys listening to songs, and she aims to be an accountant.

Corina Teo

No.17, Corina Teo, aged 23 yrs, a Teochew girl from Kuching, height 157cm, born in the Year of the Dragon; an administrative clerk. During her free time, she likes shopping, singing and gym workout, and she hopes to be a writer.

Tan Chiou Yong

No.18, Tan Chiou Yong, aged 21 yrs, a Hokkien girl from Kuching, height 157cm, born in the Year of the Snake; a university student in Marketing. During her free time, she likes reading and nail art fashion, and she aspires to be a successful business woman.