THE City of Ekurhuleni welcomed the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Queen’s Baton Relay in the best way it knows how, through sports.
Joined by Fikile Mabulala (Minister of Sport and Recreation) and his Deputy Minister, Gert Oosthuizen, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Sport and Recreation, Zeni Tshongweni ,received the baton on behalf of South Africa during a media briefing at OR International Airport last week Monday.
The Queen’s Baton relay is an important part of the tradition of the Commonwealth Games, which involves a relay race in which the Queen’s Baton is passed on from one Commonwealth country to another. This presents the official invitation from the host nation to other nations to participate in the Games.
The target of the Queen’s Baton Relay, in its essence, is to promote unity as well as diversity among communities. Therefore, it was only fitting that in true South African flavour, the relay was held between the townships of Daveyton and Reiger Park, which represent the diversity of our nation.
This year’s Games will take place in Glasgow, Scotland, in July, where Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, will read the special message carved on a parchment, placed inside the baton, which is written by her before the games.
This message will be the official declaration of the opening of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
