Chinese New Year has been celebrated throughout the world. In South Africa, our correspondent Rene Del Carme takes us for a closer look at how locals there have wrung in the New Year.
Most South African celebrations of this kind usually turn into a cultural celebration of the UNITY and DIVERSITY of South Africa's Post-Apartheid Rainbow Nation.The food, the music and surroundings generally reflect this. And the 2012 Chinese New Year Celebration - Honouring the Year Of Dragon - was no different.
Chinese South Africans and South Africans of all races and ages partied in the streets of Johannesburg to usher in The Chinese New Year 2012. The Year Of The Dragon natsound fireworks.hoping their dreams and goals will come true in the year of dragon.
These celebrations are being held in Marshalltown, in Johannesburg, the oldest Chinatown in South Africa, which was established in 1903.
Many South African Chinese families have a rich history here... and every year they come here to Marshalltown, to celebrate their heritage and the Chinese New Year.
This year most of these people said they hoped the Year Of The Dragon would bring them, peace, prosperity, happiness & financial success.Certainly a sentiment echoed around the globe - whether you're celebrating Chinese New Year or just praying & hoping for your country's economy to start looking up.

世界各地都在庆祝中国的传统新年。记者雷内•德尔•卡梅带领我们走近南非，看看当地人如何庆祝新年。