It's that time of the year when Chinese people across the globe celebrate the beginning of the Chinese New Year. CCTV Correspondent Rene Del Carme joined members of the South African Chinese community, in Johannesburg, as they marked the start of the Year of The Dragon.

CCTV's Rene Del Carme said, "While families around the world celebrate the Year Of The Dragon,we were lucky enough to be invited to a typical South African Chinese New Year's Dinner."

Lucy Zhu is a successful Johannesburg businesswoman, who came to South Africa from China two decades ago. Lucy and her daughter Nancy say they love everything about South Africa - including the country's climate and its people. But today they are excited about celebrating an important Chinese tradition from back home.They're celebrating the Year Of The Dragon, Chinese New Year 2012.

Plenty of good traditional Chinese food, good wine and the good company of family and friends. And plenty of good wishes for a successful year ahead.

Lucy Zhu said, "I'm being here about 20 years. Every year is Chinese New Year. I would (have) all the Chinese friends in my home. Together...(to) celebrate."

Nancy Zhu, resident, said, "Personally, I feel the Year Of The Dragon is a very successful year to come for everybody. Anything that didn't work out last year, will be falling into place this year."

Jenny Feng, resident, said, "We feel so great. And so happy to be together with our friends. We're like a family here... to have the New Year...Chinese New Year to celebrate together. I just want to say that I wish all the Chinese people the prosperity of the Year Of Dragon, because according to the Chinese Lunar Year, this is the Year Of Dragon. So, it belongs to all the Chinese people.

Theresa Feng, resident, said, "I wish that my family and my friends can be happy and everyone could be happy in the New Years... the Year Of The Dragon. And I wish that everyone can get what they want like iPads & iPhones and everything."

One of the dinner guests said - living in crime-ridden South Africa -made her hope the Year Of The Dragon would bring SAFETY & SECURITY above anything else.

Angela Chai, resident, said, "I wish everybody a happy, healthy and safe year more important we are living in South Afrique."

And on that note it was time for us to leave this family to enjoy the rest of the Chinese New Year's Celebrations...With our fingers crossed, hoping we'll be invited back next year.