Team South Africa were officially welcomed into the 2022 Commonwealth Games village on Wednesday at an energetic ‘street party’ performance at the University of Birmingham, writes Gary Lemke.
As has become customary in Commonwealth Games history, representatives of each team were treated to a special ceremony. On this occasion, South Africa had the privilege of being introduced to village mayor Hannah England. The two other countries welcomed alongside Team SA were Trinidad & Tobago and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
England is a former 1500m track athlete. “Being selected as the Village Mayor for the athlete village at the University of Birmingham is a real honour. Having trained, competed, studied and worked in Birmingham, the city has a really special place in my heart. I competed in two Commonwealth Games, in Delhi [2010] and Glasgow [2014]. I’ve been waiting for this moment for such a long time,” England said.
Team SA members were treated to a unique Birmingham (Brummie) street party performance by the BOA Stage and Screen Production Academy. There was a ‘meet the street’ performance, followed by a depiction of the Birmingham Rag Market, a welcome from neighbourhood heroes and a celebratory ‘street dance party’ as a Team SA delegation watched with excitement.
Team South Africa’s chef de mission, Lwandile Simelane, presented the village mayor with a mohair blanket at the welcome. “We have been very well looked after here and we have immense gratitude,” Simelane said. “We have brought a power team here, so good luck to all the teams,” she said to a chorus of cheers from Team SA members.
The Games kick off officially on Thursday with an opening ceremony and continue until 8 August. Team SA are involved in nine sports on Friday’s opening day of competition.