We felt we wanted to help our readers get to know David Chow, the person behind "The Gong" a bit better, and so we came up with a few questions to get him talking about himself a bit.
Nico Venter: “Congratulations on being entrusted with the responsibility of being President
of the IIWC, we are all excited for you.
It’s a new beginning, a new season, with many plans, dreams and strategies in mind, particularly under your leadership, together with our Vice President Robyn Petersen who will definitely play a vital role in the year ahead.
So David, what plans or projects are you currently working on?”
David Chow: “Thanks Nico, my vision and objectives were discussed at the AGM and there is a lot we’d like to achieve as a whole & particularly providing help to society, that’s the real goal for me.
At the moment I’m busy with my BCom Honours final year as well as on a Young Leadership forum with Bryte, where young leaders within the company are identified to be the leaders of the future. It’s really insightful and I’ve been learning so much with it. I’ve also been tasked to assist with leading it, so I believe I’ll be apply to apply myself and really bring it into the IIWC.
NV: There are quite a few things you’re busy with David. If I had to ask you which of these various projects makes your heart beat fastest, what would that be?
DC: Semi-nervous laugh… For me it’s the giving back to society part, working with projects from the get-go, being on the Edu team and seeing from something as simple as writing letters to sponsors right to the end where we present and are actually able to give the collections like cans of food or sanitary towels back into society. That makes my heart beat faster, tells together with our members we did well.
NV: What are the values that you believe in 100%?
DC: Authenticity, first and foremost. I’ve noticed that because you may not always be able to be prepared for everything, sometimes you just need to be able to get up in the morning, ready. The only way to be able to do that is to be yourself and not be pretentious. If you’re real, people will relate to you. The first time I had to speak at an Edu-seminar I didn’t think I could do it. I used to get such stage fright, being worried about what people would think of me. But at the end of the day it is what you are, who cares if you make a mistake. You laugh about it and you move on! And sometimes people relate to those mistakes.
NV: Thank you David, that does give us a more extensive idea of some of the things that are important to you. Now we have reached the 'other side’ of this interview so we’d like to know where we ask David Chow what he does when he’s not working?
DC: Chuckles…. I love exercising and spending time outside, because I spend so many hours indoors, with work and studies. So I feel that it’s important to have a healthy mind, body and soul: a good balance in life…
NV (interrupts): How much do you bench David?
DC: HA-HA! I like generally exercising all round: going to the gym, running, cycling – I love it all, because it releases those endorphins and just keeps me healthy. I love it.
NV: David, how about an interesting fact about you that very few people know and that you'd be willing to divulge?
DC: A lot of people don’t know that I am half French and Chinese. And also that I was the only child of my mom’s three children, that was sent to an Afrikaans pre-school! I think my parents tried to experiment with me.
NV: Tell us about your music or movies or TV shows, what are your favourites?
DC: I have a large appreciation for local music like Mi Casa ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mi_Casa ) they’re genuine and oh man, their songs just get to me and it really just gets to my soul. I also really like Christian songs, because I’m a firm believer in Christianity: for me Christians songs really get to me and make me think about the importance of life and simply life in general.
And in terms of movies: Bond movies man and let me just say that Sean Connery and Roger Moore are the two best Bonds ever. And then there are Romcoms, because of my girlfriend.
NV: Now for the second last question David: what was the last song you sang out loud in your car?
DC: Mi Casa, Mamela (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYDXsLahMW0 )
NV: And lastly: is there any question that hasn’t been asked that you’d have liked to answer”
DC: I read this book recently and it talks about when one decides on doing something, you generally take 5 seconds to make that final decision. It may be about whether to go to the gym or not, you really only have 5 seconds to make that decision for yourself. It has been working well for me in terms of productivity and getting things done within the limited amount of time one has on a daily basis.
So my final note would be: if you think about what it is that you want to do, where you want to go and why do you think it is important to make these decisions, just go and do it.
NC: Wonderful thank you David.
We wish David and the team only the best for this year!