From 20–25 August, the King’s Baton Relay made its stop in Malawi, kicking off its visit in Lilongwe, the nation’s capital.
- Bradley Sisson
- Aug 31
- 2 min read
The Baton was revealed featuring a design created by Chrisford “Chris” Chayera, a Malawian visual mouth artist who paints by manoeuvring the brush with his mouth. His artwork shaped the Baton’s panels, showcasing elements of Malawi’s cultural identity and sporting heritage.
Its features included the national flag, Lake Malawi, Chambo fish, Baobab and Palm trees, Mount Mulanje and its tea estates, as well as the UNESCO-recognised Gule Wamkulu dance. Sporting motifs were also incorporated to reflect Malawi’s aspirations for Glasgow 2026.
In Lilongwe, batonbearers carried the Baton through the city as schoolchildren lined the streets, waving flags in celebration. Drumming and dancing added energy and rhythm to the festivities, drawing communities together for the occasion.
On 23 August, the Relay moved on to Salima, where the Baton received a warm lakeside welcome. The visit included a community clean-up at the Nguwo fish landing site, involving athletes, sports officials and residents. Collected plastic waste was handed over to Cool Projects—an initiative in Senga Bay that repurposes materials through recycling and upcycling. This activity supported the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign, emphasising the link between sport and environmental stewardship.
Hosting the Baton in Salima was viewed with pride and served as inspiration for broader engagement in sport and training across the district.
After leaving Salima, the Baton continued along township roads, rural schools and local sports fields. Children and young athletes carried it with enthusiasm as families and neighbours joined in with singing, clapping and celebration.
Malawi’s leg of the Relay concluded on 25 August with a symbolic handover ceremony, as the Baton was passed to Zambia—beginning the next chapter of its journey toward the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN
The Royal Commonwealth Society’s Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign will prevent one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waterways.
The campaign will combine education and local action to encourage people to reduce their plastic waste, highlight alternatives, and reduce pollution across the Commonwealth.
For the action component of the campaign, the Royal Commonwealth Society has partnered with Commonwealth Sport to deliver the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign as a core component of The King’s Baton Relay. This newly envisioned King’s Baton Relay will focus on sustainability and environmentalism and was launched by His Majesty The King at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day 2025, beginning a 500-day journey to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July 2026.
Journeying through every Commonwealth nation and territory, this partnership will bring together young people, athletes, conservation groups, and the local community for a week of activities, including a plastic clean-up.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Royal Commonwealth Society.
