Against a backdrop of singing, dancing and general gees, Ekhaya was officially declared open on Thursday by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie. Ekhaya will be Team South Africa’s Home Away For Home for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, which continue until 2nd August.
The Minister was in an ebullient mood, giving a rousing opening speech and then joining in the on-stage dancing as Linric Toto set the tone with her traditional and contemporary Afro-tribal music.
In declaring Ekhaya open, Minister McKenzie also promised to “bring all events that you athletes have to travel to, home to South Africa. Diamond League athletics, UFC, the Commonwealth Games, the Olympics are what I was mandated to do by the President. We can’t just participate (overseas), we must also host these big events,” he told the audience. Although things are still in the discussion phase, 2034 was mentioned as a potential Commonwealth Games bid and 2036 or 2040 for the Olympics.
Minister McKenzie also paid thanks and tribute to Team SA’s sponsors, “To Bidvest, Mr Price Sport, Planet Fitness and the National Lotteries Commission, we appreciate you. You are important to our country and we as government see what you do and appreciate what you do. Thank you.”
He also thanked the South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC) and their staff for the work that they do in delivering Team SA to events like these 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The President of SASCOC, Mr Barry Hendricks, wished Team SA’s athletes well over the coming days and told the athletes present that “you’ve worked hard to get here, now is the time to shine.” He also praised the support of fellow Zone 6 countries present, Namibia, Botswana and Eswatini and highlighted the importance of the southern African region working together.
The SASCOC CEO, Ms Nozipho Jafta, performed the role of programme director with aplomb, while Team SA chef de mission (delegation leader) Bongi Msomi, was particularly passionate about the 2026 Games, which are her fourth such, but first as a non-player. The former netball captain, said “now I realise how much work goes into delivering Team SA to the Games. She also thanked Mr Price Sport for the kit supplied, saying that “athletes perform best when they feel the part and have confidence” and kit played a big role in that.
There were also addresses from the South African High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Kingsley Mamabolo, and the President of Commonwealth Sport, Dr Donald Rukare.
Photo: NIC BOTHMA/Team SA