Yolanda Ng – Hysan 95

Yolanda Ng

District Councillor of Wan Chai

#Culture #Lifestyle

For Yolanda Ng, becoming District Councillor of Wan Chai was somewhat a stroke of fate. From a young age, the Hong Kong born-and-bred Yolanda aspired to be a writer: she worked as a journalist, a programme host, and even wrote screenplays for radio drama and new media programmes, before she ran for the role of Wan Chai District Councillor in 2008 – and won. The common denominator of all the roles she has held is the fundamental desire to communicate with other people and help them.

Yolanda has always tried to stand up for other people. As a young woman, she was already getting involved in volunteer work, and it was one such incident that propelled her to run in the District Council elections. “Someone had published candid photos of Gillian from the pop act ‘Twins’ getting changed backstage. There was nothing newsworthy about this! But the photos got published anyway. So I brought a group of women to protest on the street, demanding that the government pay attention to laws regarding obscenity,” says Yolanda. That day, one of her colleagues mentioned that the District Councillor post was up for election. And the rest is history.

“It seemed like everything in my life has led me to develop a relationship with Causeway Bay.”

“To be honest, I didn’t choose Causeway Bay; Causeway Bay chose me,” she admits. Even though she grew up in Kowloon, Yolanda did her studies in Causeway Bay and has even held a few jobs in the area. “It seemed like everything in my life has led me to develop a relationship with Causeway Bay,” she says. In addition to her role as District Councillor, she is also the Director of Business Development at an IT and management consultation business, works with cultural organisations and is heavily involved in volunteer work.

Shortly after becoming District Councillor, Yolanda moved to Causeway Bay. “It’s more
convenient with work, and if there are problems I can’t tackle alone I can work with my neighbours to find a solution!” she laughs. Despite her ability to see the humour in it, she’s deeply committed to the job. “I’ve never thought about being District Councillor as a job – it’s more like giving back to the community. As long as I can do this, I want to do it,” she affirms.

In fact, she carries out her duties with such passion late into the night, resolving issues, mediating between disgruntled residents, even dealing with physical threats. “I always tell people I am fearless,” she explains. “My role here is to protect their rights, but to be their protector you need to be very tough and very strict. But, in addition, you need to be calm, to really listen and to try to solve the issue from your heart.”

“Causeway Bay is so multifaceted, it’s a tourist hotspot, but it has never lost its humanity. Every street is different, but there is still a unique feel to the area.”

Yolanda maintains that communication is key, especially in a place like Causeway Bay that has so much history but is continually evolving. “There is a more traditional style of community here,” she says. “Causeway Bay is so multifaceted, it’s a tourist hotspot, but it has never lost its humanity. Every street is different, but there is still a unique feel to the area. When there are so many personalities, so many competing elements, you need to make sure everyone is communicating often and with clarity.”

The district is also home to a lot of creative businesses and professionals, and Yolanda thrives on the energy this provides. In fact, she is also the Chairperson for the Culture and Leisure Services Committee and the General Secretary of Cultural Power. One of her most recent projects was a book that documented 20 different examples of Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage, including her signature look – the cheongsam. “Back in the day, people only wore cheongsam during Chinese New Year. But as active members of Cheongsam Connect, a non-profit organisation that aims to promote and strengthen the cheongsam culture, my friends and I want to make the cheongsam part of modern life too.”

Having spent so much time in Causeway Bay, Yolanda has got to know the people and places that make it so special. “I have good memories of studying and doing my homework with my classmates at the McDonalds on Yee Wo Street,” she chuckles. Despite the ever-changing nature of the district, Yolanda remains optimistic about the future of Causeway Bay. “If we want to move forward, we need to treasure Causeway Bay. There are a lot of opinions about how this area can develop, but they need to consider the needs of the people here. That will truly shape the future of Causeway Bay for the better.”