WALVIS BAY – The coastal town of Walvis Bay was a hype of activity yesterday when residents welcomed the Queen’s Baton, which marked the Namibian leg of the 16th Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay.

Members of the Topnaar community were also among the large receiving crowd, which saw the baton uniquely arriving on a donkey cart at Utuseb, a small settlement situated in the Namib Desert, approximately 40km from Walvis Bay on the banks of the Kuiseb River.

 Senior member of the Topnaar community, 89-year-old Ludwig Engelbrecht, received the baton and handed it over to the acting Topnaar chief Stoffel Anamab, who led jubilant cultural dances as they welcomed the baton.

“We are truly thankful that we could also be part of this very important celebration and hope that the baton reaches its destination safely,” said the chief.

 The event also saw various top sports stars such as legendary boxer Harry Simon, newly-crowned WBA Pan African Super Bantamweight champion Mateus Heita, London Paralympics medallist Johanna Benson, Olympians Helalia Johannes, Beatrice Masilingi, Christine Mboma, Paralympians Lahja Ishitile, Johannes Nambala and many others coming together to bolster the occasion.

The Queen’s Baton Relay forms part of the build-up to next year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, and will proceed to 72 other countries of the Commonwealth before returning to Birmingham for the final relay run ahead of the Games. 

Traditionally, before the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, the final relay runner hands the baton back to the Queen or her representative, who reads the message aloud to officially open the Games. 

The Queen’s Baton Relay is similar to the Olympic Torch Relay.