Celebration for athletes returning from Commonwealth Games

Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula wants South Africans to wear the country's national colours this Friday to celebrate the SA Team's achievements at the Commonwealth Games. Image: GCIS

Team SA finished in seventh position in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games with 40 medals - 13 gold, 10 silver and 17 bronze medals.

Team SA participated in 15 different sporting codes including aquatics, wrestling, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, judo, lawn bowls, netball, para-powerlifting, rugby sevens, shooting and triathlon.

"This Friday, we are saying, wear your favourite national team jersey. Our message is clear: one nation, one team, one celebration, unite," said Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula

In terms of the celebration, Mbalula said the athletes will ride in an open bus, where they will meet and greet fellow South Africans.

Mbalula, who praised the athletes for bringing home 40 medals, said the main celebration will take place at Mandela Square in Sandton. The event will be broadcast on national television.

"This is about seizing the moment, placing sport where it belongs in terms of uplifting the nation and feeding the soul of the nation. Our athletes have done well, so they deserve to be recognised and celebrated," he said.

South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee President, Gideon Sam, said: "We are on track now. What you see now indicates that we are slowly reaping the fruits of a good plan. We are grateful that our athletes are receiving acknowledgement and recognition."

Busaphi Nxumalo, a spokesman from the Gauteng traffic police, said they are ready to escort the athletes to Mandela Square. "We want to urge South Africans to cheer the fans by hooting and waving as they drive by the open bus."