The Duchess of Sussex told teenage girls in a township known as ‘South Africa’s murder capital’ that she is visiting them as a ‘woman of colour and their sister’ in a rousing speech on the first day of her and her husband’s latest royal tour.
Meghan and Harry are visiting Nyanga, where one in 206 people are killed each year, just outside of Cape Town, today after touching down at the airport this morning.
The couple’s visit to the troubled township has been arranged amid a major security presence, with details kept secret until the last minute to prevent any unrest and four-month-old Archie left behind at their residence with his nanny.
Meghan, 38, stood on a tree stump to address crowds of local women and girls supported by community charity Justice Desk.
She said: ‘May I just say that while I am here with my husband as a member of The Royal Family, I want you to know that for me I am here with you as a mother, as a wife, as a woman, as a woman of colour and as your sister.’
Meghan and her husband, 35, were seen dancing and laughing with locals on the first stop of their 10-day tour of Africa.
She has written about her racial heritage before, but this is thought to be the first time she has spoken about it publicly since becoming a royal.
The Duke and Duchess later visited the District 6 museum that honours thousands of families forcibly removed during the apartheid era. It came after the area, adjacent to the Cape Town business district, was declared whites-only and bulldozers moved in to demolish homes.
Meghan is pictured giving a speech to crowds in Nyanga, often described as South Africa’s ‘murder capital’ this afternoon
Meghan and her husband, 35, were seen dancing and laughing with locals on the first stop of their 10-day tour of Africa
Harry and Meghan are visiting Nyanga in the Cape Flats just outside of Cape Town today on the first stop of their 10-day tour of Africa, where one in 206 people are killed each year, according to recent statistics. Meghan spoke to children at at the Nyanga Township in Cape Town today (left and right, speaking)
Harry (left) and Megan (centre) are pictured arriving in Cape Town this morning with baby their son Archie
The Duke of Sussex is pictured beaming as a smiling Meghan follows behind with four-month-old Archie in her arms as they get off their British Airways flight in Cape Town this morning
The Duchess addressed crowds of women and girls stood on a tree stump as she wore a Justice Desk charity bracelet
Meghan said to the crowd in Cape Town: ‘And just on one personal note may I just say that while I’m here with my husband as a member of the royal family, I want you to know from me I am here with you as a mother, as a wife, as a woman, as a woman of colour and as your sister’
Meghan was wearing a dress by the label Mayamiko, an ethical and sustainable womenswear and lifestyle brand, producing clothes made in Malawi. She spoke to children at Nyanga Township in Cape Town, South Africa
The Duchess, 38, stood on a tree stump as she made a speech surrounded by Justice Desk female boxers, which saw her refer to her own racial heritage for the first time as a British royal
Meghan made the point of telling the young women and others from the community it was her ‘first time’ in South Africa adding ‘you’re incredible and so powerful, because you’re all powerful’
Britain’s royal couple Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex, greet youths on a visit to the Nyanga Methodist Church in Cape Town, South Africa. The couple both wore bracelets bearing the word JUSTICE
Harry and Meghan appeared close as they visited a Justice Desk initiative in Nyanga township. While there Meghan spoke publicly about her position in the world as a ‘woman of colour’ for the first time, as she gave a rousing speech to township teenage girls
Meghan wore her hair up in a sleek ponytail as she and Harry arrived at the Nyanga Township in Cape Town. Mayamiko produces clothes made in Malawi and inspired by African artisan traditions and prints
Meghan has publicly spoken about her position in the world as a ‘woman of colour’ for the first time, as she gave a rousing speech to township teenage girls (pictured alongside Prince Harry)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pictured beaming as they are surrounded by dancing girls from the Nyanga township near Cape Town this afternoon
Having a whale of a time! Meghan beamed as she danced with local girls in Nyanga this afternoon
The first day of their 10-day, multi-country tour started in Cape Town with visits to girls’ empowerment projects that teach rights and self-defense. Harry and Meghan danced a bit as a musical welcome greeted them in the township of Nyanga
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are visiting Nyanga township, one of Cape Town’s largest black settlements, to learn about life for thousands of South Africans (left and right together)
The couple (pictured together) had travelled to the area, a few miles out of the city centre, to see first-hand the work of the Justice Desk, a human rights organisation, which is supporting the development of the settlement’s children
There was a carnival atmosphere inside the compound when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived with female dances in traditional costume, musicians playing and the ecstatic youngsters waving their national flag
Meghan wore her hair up in a sleek ponytail as she and Harry arrived at the Nyanga Township in Cape Town. She danced with children at the Justice Desk initiative during the afternoon
The duchess’s shoes were Castaner’s Carina black wedge espadrilles, which tie at the ankle, which she also wore on her tour to Australia last year. The Duke of Sussex look relaxed in a light open-necked shirt, dark trousers and beige trainers (pictured, both dancing with children at the Nyanga Township in Cape Town)
Harry and Meghan (left and right) both go into the swing of things, dancing away with members of the Justice Desk, a human rights organisation, which is supporting the development of the settlement’s children
The Duchess of Sussex kicked off her royal tour to South Africa with the Duke of Sussex in a patterned black and white wrap dress by ethical womenswear brand Mayamiko (Harry and Meghan are pictured together)
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, also made a speech to children at a Justice Desk initiative in Nyanga township. He said: ‘I wanted to ensure that our first visit [to Cape Town] as a family – with my wife by my side – focused on the significant challenges facing millions of South Africans, while acknowledging the hope that we feel so strongly here’
Barely a couple of hours after landing in Cape Town, the royal couple visited the Arts Centre in Nyanga – dubbed the ‘murder capital’ of South Africa (Meghan dances with children at the Arts Centre)
On leaving the Nyanga arts centre, traditional African dancers lined the exit and entertained locals and their special guests
Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Duchess of Sussex, pose for a photo with youths at the Nyanga Methodist Church in Cape Town, South Africa
Prince Harry (pictured with Meghan and members of the Mbokodo Club) also spoke to the male coaches at the Mbokodo Club – which translates to ‘The Rock Club’. The mantra of the group is set upon making girls and young women strong so they stand up to gender violence to give them strength, their motto being ‘If you strike a woman, you strike a rock’
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, arrive at the District Six, on the first day of their African tour in Cape Town
Harry and Meghan are visiting the District 6 museum that honours thousands of families forcibly removed during the apartheid era after the area, adjacent to the Cape Town business district, was declared whites-only and bulldozers moved in to demolish homes
Duke of Sussex and wife Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex pictured Visiting the District Six Museum. The District Six Museum is located in the inner-city residential area in Cape Town which was subject to the forced relocation of 60,000 inhabitants of various races during Apartheid in the 1970s
Harry and Meghan (left and right) have arrived at the District 6 museum in Cape Town – which honours thousands of families forcibly removed from the area during the apartheid
Their Royal Highnesses (pictured arriving at District Six Museum) will tour the District Six Museum to learn about their work to reunite members of the community forcibly relocated during the apartheid era
The Duke and Duchess walk hand in hand outside District 6 museum, where freed slaves, artisans, immigrants, merchants and the Cape Malay community lived
Harry and Meghan are guided around the District Six Museum in Cape Town, South Africa, which tells the story of the area’s troubled racial history
The royal couple sat down for a snack inside the museum, which documents some of the darkest days in South Africa’s history. They enjoyed Cape Malay koesisters, a form of doughnut
Harry and Meghan appeared happy and relaxed as they chatted with museum representatives and activists during the visit
Prince Harry gets ready to tuck in to some of the local delicacies on offer at the District 6 museum, which features a series of rotating exhibitions
The Duke of Sussex put his arm around his wife as they chatted with local women and dignitaries inside the Cape Town museum
Meghan and Harry mingled happily with visitors to the District 6 Homecoming Centre as they sampled some of the local cuisine
The Duchess wore a dress designed by the sustainable Malawi-based fashion brand Mayamiko and the couple sported matching ‘Justice Desk’ beaded bracelets as they shook hands with beaming locals.
Quoting poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou, Meghan said in her speech: ‘Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it, possibly without claiming it, she stands up for all women.’
‘Now I know it’s not easy and I know it must feel insurmountable at times, but your commitment to what is right gives all of us hope, especially your brothers and sisters here in your community who need you to continue to shine your light brightly.
‘Your commitment is inspiring, it is energising and it is extraordinary. You must keep going, you must know that what you’re doing not only matters, it is vital because YOU are vital.’
She said she felt ‘humbled’ to be in the Nyanga community’s presence, as they stood firm in their ‘values of respect, dignity and equality’.
The Duchess continued: ‘The work that’s being done here is to keep women and children safer, which is needed now more than ever.
Meghan’s speech in full
Hello! It is such privilege to meet all of you today and to start our visit, my first time in South Africa, here in Nyanga.
We have just spent some time seeing all the incredible work that the Justice Desk does and of course all of you amazing women and the men who are here helping you, Mbokodo, you are incredible and what you’re doing is so powerful, because you’re all powerful.
The work that’s being done here is to keep women and children safer, which is needed now more than ever. This is an issue that’s been at the forefront of people’s minds here in South Africa, and of course across the globe, particularly over this past month.
Please know that my husband and I have been closely following what you’ve been experiencing here – as best we can from afar. But now that we are with you, we are eager to learn and see first-hand the work that you’re doing, the vital work that you’re doing, and that everything that is being done on the ground is making the great change that you not only need but that you deserve.
You have welcomed us into this community, have been open and honest with us, both about the dangers women and children face, and about how you are addressing them. The rights of women and girls is something that is very close to my heart, and the cause I have spent the majority of my life advocating for because I know that when women are empowered, the entire community flourishes.
So to be able to meet all of you today who are standing up for what’s right in the face of adversity, I applaud you. We are encouraged to hear your President take the next steps to work towards preventing gender-based violence through education and necessary changes to reinforce the values of modern South Africa.
I do have to say I feel incredibly humbled to be in the presence of all of you as you stand firm in your core values of respect, dignity and equality.
I read a quote a few weeks ago and it resonated with me as I’ve been watching what’s been happening here and your active efforts. Maya Angelou, the legendary poet and civil rights activist, once said: ‘Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it, possibly without claiming it, she stands up for all women.’
Now I know it’s not easy and I know it must feel insurmountable at times, but your commitment to what is right gives all of us hope, especially your brothers and sisters here in your community who need you to continue to shine your light brightly. Your commitment is inspiring, it is energising and it is extraordinary. You must keep going, you must know that what you’re doing not only matters, it is vital because YOU are vital.
And just on one personal note, may I just say that while I am here with my husband as a member of The Royal Family, I want you to know that for me I am here with you as a mother, as a wife, as a woman, as a woman of colour and as your sister. I am here with you and I am here FOR you and I thank you so much for showing my husband and I the spirit of Ubuntu and I look forward to our time over the next few days together. Thank you so much for having us.’
‘This is an issue that’s been at the forefront of people’s minds here in South Africa, and of course across the globe, particularly over this past month.
‘Please know that my husband and I have been closely following what you’ve been experiencing here – as best we can from afar.
‘But now that we are with you, we are eager to learn and see first-hand the work that you’re doing, the vital work that you’re doing, and that everything that is being done on the ground is making the great change that you not only need but that you deserve.
‘You have welcomed us into this community, have been open and honest with us, both about the dangers women and children face, and about how you are addressing them.
‘The rights of women and girls is something that is very close to my heart, and the cause I have spent the majority of my life advocating for because I know that when women are empowered, the entire community flourishes.
‘So to be able to meet all of you today who are standing up for what’s right in the face of adversity, I applaud you. We are encouraged to hear your President take the next steps to work towards preventing gender-based violence through education and necessary changes to reinforce the values of modern South Africa.’
Jessica Dewhurst, who founded the Justice Desk, an award winning human rights organisation which is working in the district, said: ‘ We feed people but we never ask why they are hungry in the first place. We are trying to fix the problem, not just put a plaster on it. I think that really resonated with Prince Harry.
‘Meghan is so nice. In the room she and Harry met a lot of victims of gender-based violence and they shared their stories with them. It was really wonderful to have that openness and that honesty.
‘I think she was really impressed with the spirit of the girls, the girls supporting other girls. She was encouraging them to mentor other girls in the community.
‘To hear her say she was standing her as a woman of colour sent shivers down my spine.
‘To be totally honest with you, when I heard that they wanted to say something I just thought it would be a ‘thank you for having us, goodbye’.
‘But they tackled some real issues there. They spoke about gender based violence and the issues our community is facing.
‘What’s also really exciting is that they are watching what is happening in our country and listening to what our president is saying. They are really encouraging us as South Africans to be accountable and to facilitate change.
‘I think it’s so fantastic. A lot of people think the Commonwealth is just the Commonwealth , but we have received real support from them for a number of years. This is the cherry on the cake.
‘They are such a lovely couple. He was constantly making sure she was ok. When she was carrying something he offered to carry it for her, which I thought was so sweet, but she was just like ‘no, I can carry it. It’s fine! ‘ They were just bouncing off each other.
‘They are a really good unit, they believe in the same things and that’s really powerful. I think They give each other energy to do what they do. They were supporting each other when they are hearing some harrowing stories. ‘
Speaking after Meghan’s speech, Ms Dewhurst said: ‘The Duchess said how proud she was of the girls and how amazing she though they all were. She held everyone’s attention in that moment, the girls were just transfixed.
‘After watching the boxing class which we hold as a means of teaching self defence and self worth to the young girls, we all sat in a circle and everyone can choose to share their stories, whatever is on their mind.
‘Some of them spoke about how they used to fear growing up in Nyanga but now they have an outlet for their fears.
‘We teach them to be strong and support each other, that they can educate themselves about their worth and in turn educate the men around them to be better individuals.
‘When it came to her turn, the Duchess seemed very moved by what she has heard.
‘She said ‘I admire you all and your strength. If you stay strong and stay true to supporting each other as sisters, you can go and change the world’.
‘It was incredible. The girls were inspired. She knew the important of being a mentor to the younger generation and was so in tune with what we are doing here.’
Prince Harry also spoke to the male coaches at the Mbokodo Club – which translates to ‘The Rock Club’.
Joining in the fun! Harry also got a dance with a local woman as the couple made quite the impression on the Nyanga community
Meghan was taken by the hands by a local dancer who beamed as she boogied with the Duchess as husband Harry looked on
Smiles all round: Meghan laughs and smiles as she dances hand-in-hand with a young woman from Nyanga
The Duchess of Sussex stoops down to hug a Nyanga schoolboy as the couple arrive in the troubled township for today’s visit
Harry and Meghan (pictured greeting school children) are visiting Nyanga in the Cape Flats just outside of Cape Town today where one in 206 people are killed each year, as the first stop on their 10-day tour of Africa
Harry beams as he kneels down to say hello to a schoolboy waiting to greet him in Nyanga, near Cape Town, South Africa
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, began their first official tour as a family Monday with their infant son, Archie, in South Africa, with Meghan declaring to cheers that I am here with you as a mother, as a wife, as a woman, as a woman of color and as your sister’
The mantra of the group is set upon making girls and young women strong so they stand up to gender violence to give them strength, their motto being ‘If you strike a woman, you strike a rock’.
Ms Dewhurst said: ‘Harry also recognised the value of mentoring and really encouraged the guys to go into their communities to get more men involved.
‘He said ‘because that’s how you make the difference as well, right? Not only working with the girls but educating the men to change their behaviour or to not behave that way in the first place’.
‘They both just get it and it means a lot to have the recognition that we are doing something right.’
Earlier, Harry, who danced a bit as a musical welcome greeted them in the township of Nyanga also spoke to the children, saying: ‘As someone who has visited this amazing country many times, and as someone who regards Cape Town as a uniquely special place in Africa, I wanted to ensure that our first visit as a family – with my wife by my side – focused on the significant challenges facing millions of South Africans, while acknowledging the hope that we feel so strongly here.’
Lilitha Mazana, 23, danced with Meghan and Harry at the Nyanga arts centre. She grabbed Meghan for a dance and said: ‘Meghan was a good dancer. She’s very nice. Her dancing is fantastic. I’ve been dancing ten years.’
Meghan and Harry arrived in Cape Town with baby Archie in her arms 40 minutes late this morning following their overnight British Airways flight from London.
Beaming, Meghan, 38, was pictured carrying four-month-old Archie, who sported an adorable bobble hat for the occasion. The young royal bore a striking resemblance to his father, who was pictured wearing a similar hat in the arms of his mother, Diana.
The Sussexes remained close to one another as they moved around the area, which is being protected with tight security during their visit
Harry and Meghan are pictured arriving in Nyanga, near Cape Town today, often referred to as South Africa’s ‘murder capital’
Meghan and Harry prepared to make separate speeches as they clutched notes before heading to the stage
Harry kept his hand tightly around Meghan’s as the pair moved through Nyanga, South Africa’s most dangerous township
Harry couldn’t hide his delight as he knelt down to say hello to a Nyanga schoolboy who gave him a drawing to welcome him and Meghan to his community
Harry is pictured grabbing the Justice Desk T-shirt of a young member of the Nyanga community who waited to greet him
The little boy had his face painted and wore a T-shirt with the slogan ‘Children’s rights matter!’ as he greeted Prince Harry
Prince Harry talks with a young wellwisher during a visit to Nyanga township in Cape Town. Their visit comes after campaigners took to the streets earlier this month, following a series of attacks that have shocked the African nation
Admiration: Meghan looks up at one of the Charity Desk bosses surrounded by local children wearing T-shirts that read: ‘Children’s rights matter! I’m not too young to be heard’
Meghan is pictured shaking hands with a member of the Nyanga community as women from the township crowd around her
Meghan is seen crouching down to take the hand of a local woman in Nyanga, where the royal couple are visiting today
An excitable Meghan giggled as she was greeted by dozens of local women in Nyanga today
Holding hands: Meghan and Harry made their way through Nyanga together before being introduced to local school children
Meghan is pictured speaking to a Justice Desk charity worker, who works with children in Nyanga to help them know their rights and defend themselves against rampant crime
Meghan wore a dress designed by the sustainable Malawi-based fashion brand Mayamiko and the couple wore matching ‘Justice Desk’ beaded bracelets
The couple beamed as they were presented with gifts from the charity Justice Desk, which hosted the first stop on their visit
The Sussexes are pictured being greeted by Justice Desk volunteers as schoolchildren wait to give them their welcomes
Nyanga school children waited patiently for the royals to arrive as they clutched South African flags and other banners
Waiting for the royals: Two women from the Nyanga township near Cape Town are pictured waiting with flags at the side of the road
Primary school children in Nyanga gathered to greet the royals this morning, with an impressive display of traditional dancing
Members of the Nyanga community gathered to watch dancers entertain as they prepared to welcome Harry and Meghan
Harry, 35, yesterday said he ‘couldn’t wait’ to introduce his son to Africa ahead of the trip this morning.
Nyanga, whose name means ‘moon’ in the local dialect of Xhosa, is one of the oldest black townships in Cape Town and was established in 1946 as a result of the migrant labour system.
Nowadays, unemployment is well above 50 per cent and HIV/Aids is a huge community issue.
Although residents were active in joining the national protests against the apartheid laws passed in 1960, it has become notorious for black on black violence, which was exploited by the local police.
Crime is still rampant, despite many admirable community initiatives, not only having the highest murder rate in the country but topping the lists for car jacking and having a reputation for house robbery. Last year there were a reported 308 murders.
Timeline of Royal tour
Monday, September 23
The tour begins in a township in Cape Town where Prince Harry and Meghan will view a workshop that teaches children about their rights, self-awareness and safety.
Their Royal Highnesses will later tour the District Six Museum before joining a community cooking activity with former residents of the area.
Tuesday, September 24
Their Royal Highnesses will travel to Monwabisi Beach to learn about the work of ‘Waves for Change’, an NGO which trains surf mentors to provide mental health services to young people.
In the afternoon, The Duke and Duchess will visit the Bo Kaap area to mark Heritage Day. They will visit Auwal mosque, the oldest mosque in the country, and later have a cup of tea with local residents.
Wednesday, September 25
The Duke and Duchess will meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Mrs Tutu at their legacy foundation.
From here, Their Royal Highnesses’ programme will split – The Duke will travel onwards to Botswana while The Duchess remains in South Africa.
Thursday, September 26
The Duke will begin his working visit to Botswana, first travelling to Chobe Forest Tree Reserve.
The party will then depart for Angola. His Royal Highness will spend the evening of 26th September at a new HALO Trust demining camp.
Friday, September 27
The Duke will visit to a working de-mining field outside Dirico. His Royal Highness will then travel to Huambo, beginning his first visit to Angola in an official capacity.
He will proceed to the Huambo Orthopaedic Centre, also visited by his mother in 1997.
Saturday, September 28
The Duke will have an Audience with President Lourenço at the Presidential Palace. He will then visit the Maternity Hospital Lucrécia Paim to see the work of a project which focuses on preventing HIV/AIDS transmission from mothers to babies.
His Royal Highness will then travel to Malawi for the next leg of his tour.
Sunday, September 29
The Duke will visit Nalikule College of Education and interact with a network of young women who are supported to attend and complete secondary school with the help of UKAid bursaries through the Campaign for Female Education.
He will then attend an Audience with the President Peter Mutharika who he has met on previous occasions.
Monday, September 30
His Royal Highness will fly to Liwonde National Park. There, The Duke will pay tribute at the memorial site for Guardsman Mathew Talbot of the Coldstream Guards, who lost his life in May 2019 on a joint anti-poaching patrol with local park rangers.
The Duke will then proceed to the Liwonde National Park Headquarters to receive a briefing on operations.
Tuesday, October 1
The Duke will tour Mauwa Health Centre and then depart Malawi for South Africa. Meanwhile, on October 1. Her Royal Highness will attend a roundtable discussion with the Association of Commonwealth Universities in Johannesburg.
Following The Duke of Sussex’s arrival from Malawi later that evening, Their Royal Highnesses will resume their joint programme in Johannesburg.
Wednesday, October 2
Their Royal Highnesses will visit a township near Johannesburg. Later that day, they will meet with Mrs Graça Machel, widow of the late former President Mandela.
The Duke and Duchess will together attend an afternoon Reception to celebrate the UK and South Africa’s important business and investment relationship, looking ahead to the Africa Investment Summit the UK will host in 2020.
To close the tour, Their Royal Highnesses will attend an audience with President Cyril Ramaphosa and his wife Dr Tshepo Motsepe. Their Royal Highnesses will depart for London that evening.
The couple are visiting a Justice Desk initiative in Nyanga township, which teaches children about their rights, self-awareness and safety, and provides self-defence classes and female empowerment training to young girls in the community.
The Justice Desk is an NGO supported by The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, of which Harry serves as President and Meghan as Vice-President.
To date, the Justice Desk has directly assisted over 35,000 individuals, schools and communities.
On arrival at Nyanga Methodist Church, the Duke and Duchess met Jessica Dewhurst, Justice Desk Founder and Queen’s Young Leader, and Theodora Luthuli, Justice Desk Community Leader.
Jessica took them on a walking tour of various activities taking place.
Moving into the learning centre, Theodora then introduced the couple to her mother and the centre’s founder, Sylvia Hobe.
Their Royal Highnesses then observed the Mbokodo Girls’ Empowerment programme, which provides self-defence classes and female empowerment training to young girls who have suffered major trauma.
The project’s motto is, ‘waithint’ abafazi wathint’imbokodo’ – when you strike a women; you strike a rock.
The session begun with the students reciting ‘Our Deepest Fear,’ the club’s anthem, and then the girls will then break off into four training groups.
Harry and Meghan was escorted around the groups by and learn about the purpose of each of the activities, before coming back together to form a circle where the girls had an opportunity to have a discussion with them privately.
Afterwards, Their Royal Highnesses left the learning centre, followed by the girls singing their team anthem.
Harry and Meghan, unusually, mad a short address each, followed by a presentation of a gift from the Justice Desk, and a group photo, before departing.
Tomorrow morning, their Royal Highnesses will travel to Monwabisi Beach to learn about the work of ‘Waves for Change’, an NGO which trains and supports local surf mentors to provide mental health services to young people.
The Duke and Duchess will also see the work of The Lunchbox Fund, one of four charities to benefit from donations made by the public to celebrate the birth of their son Archie.
They will also meet Dr Thomas Maes, who is leading the Commonwealth Litter Programme launched at the London Commonwealth Summit in 2018, in support of the Commonwealth Blue Charter.
The Duke will then join the City of Cape Town Marine Unit to travel by boat to Seal Island, Kalk Bay, to learn about the important role they play in combatting the poaching of abalone, considered one of South Africa’s most significant illegal wildlife trade concerns.
As Captain General of the Royal Marines, His Royal Highness will be accompanied by two members of the Royal Marines who have been providing capacity building and skills training to the Marine Unit.
In the afternoon, The Duke and Duchess will visit the Bo Kaap area to mark Heritage Day, a celebration of the great diversity of cultures, beliefs and traditions that make up the rainbow nation of South Africa.
Their Royal Highnesses will visit Auwal mosque, the oldest mosque in the country, where they will meet representatives from different faith groups to hear about the strength of interfaith dialogue in Cape Town.
Afterwards, the Duke and Duchess will visit local residents who will host them for a cup of tea in their home.
Their Royal Highnesses will conclude the day by attending a Reception at the British High Commissioner’s Residence, where they will meet inspiring opinion formers and young future leaders.
Harry will later in the trip rekindle memories of the couple’s courtship in Botswana and of his mother Diana in Angola.
Meghan, an American former actress, has had only one official engagement since giving birth to Archie in May.
Violent crime is so deadly in parts of Cape Town that South Africa’s military has been deployed in the city, and its stay was extended last week.
The couple arrived in a South Africa still shaken by the rape and murder of a university student, carried out in a post office, that sparked protests by thousands of women tired of abuse and impunity in a country where more than 100 rapes are reported every day.
This is ‘one of the most unsafe places in the world to be a woman,’ President Cyril Ramaphosa said last week, announcing new emergency measures and vowing to be tougher on perpetrators.
While the royal visit wasn’t causing the kind of excitement seen at times in other parts of the Commonwealth, some in South Africa said they were happy to see the arrival of Meghan, who has been vocal about women’s rights.
Residents were quick to rush to the Royal couple, with one woman embracing Meghan as she arrived. She is pictured alongside Prince Harry outside the District 6 museum
A woman appeared overjoyed to see Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as they continued the first day of their Royal tour around South Africa
For their second engagement – a visit to the District Six Museum – Meghan switched into a blue Veronica Beard dress and wore her hair down (pictured alongside Prince Harry greeting crowds outside the District 6 Museum)
The same woman who greeted Meghan also gave Prince Harry a big hug as both greeted crowds outside the District 6 museum
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex waves as she visits District Six, on the first day of the African tour in Cape Town. The Duke and Duchess will also join a community cooking activity with former residents of District Six at the nearby Homecoming Centre
Harry and Meghan (pictured together) are visiting the District 6 museum that honours thousands of families forcibly removed during the apartheid era
The Duke and Duchess will also later join a community cooking activity with former residents of District Six at the nearby Homecoming Centre
The area where the museum is located, adjacent to the Cape Town business district, was declared whites-only and bulldozers moved in to demolish homes. Harry and Meghan are pictured arriving at the museum this afternoon
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are visiting the District 6 museum this afternoon. Afterwards, they will join a community cooking activity with former residents of District Six at the nearby Homecoming Centre
While the royal visit wasn’t causing the kind of excitement seen at times in other parts of the Commonwealth, some in South Africa said they were happy to see the arrival of Meghan, who has been vocal about women’s rights
A map shows the different stops on Meghan and Harry’s 10-day tour of Africa, their first with four-month-old son Archie
Nyanga: The ‘murder capital’ of South Africa
Nyanga is one of the oldest black townships in Cape Town, established in 1946 under the Apartheid migrant labour system. Its name means ‘moon’ in the local dialect of Xhosa.
In 1948 migrants were forced to settle in Nyanga as nearby Langa became too small.
It is situated along the N2 highway close to the city’s only airport, Cape Town International, and other deprived townships of Gugulethu and Crossroads.
It is known as the ‘murder capital’ of South Africa, with an average of one in 206 people killed each year.
There has been 6.2 per cent decrease in the number of murder cases in the area for the year 2018/2019, but still remains the most deadly in the country. It also has a reputation for car-jacking and robberies.
Harry and Meghan’s first stop – Nyanga (pictured) – is considered South Africa’s ‘murder capital’ where one in 206 people are killed each year
Unemployment is currently well above 50 per cent and HIV/AIDS continues to be hugely prevalent.
Nyanga residents were active in joining the national protests against apartheid laws passed in 1960, but later became notorious for black-on-black violence after tensions were ramped up by local police.
They were also heavily involved in the 1976 student uprisings triggered after Afrikaans became South Africa’s first official language in schools.
Black-on-black faction fighting continued into the 1980s, when police officers were accused of exacerbating tensions along community lines.
Nyanga is made up of nine smaller townships (Lusaka, KTC, Old Location, Maumau, Zwelitsha, Maholweni ‘Hostels’, Black City, White City, Barcelona, Kanana and Europe).
Nyanga (residents pictured) is one of the oldest black townships in Cape Town, established in 1946 under the Apartheid migrant labour system
Just like Dad! Archie dons a sweet knitted bobble hat for his arrival in South Africa that looks VERY similar to one worn by Prince Harry for a flight with Princess Diana in 1985
By Stephanie Linning for MailOnline
Archie Mountbatten-Windsor looked adorable in a hat that looked just like one worn by his father Prince Harry as the Sussexes arrived in South Africa this morning.
The five-month-old royal was wrapped up in a navy baby grow and a cream bobble hat as he was carried down the airplane steps by his mother the Duchess of Sussex.
Eagle-eyed royal fans were quick to point out that Archie’s hat looked strikingly similar to one worn by Prince Harry as a baby.
Archie’s bobble hat bears a striking resemblance to the one Prince Harry wore as a toddler in January 2001. He is pictured with his mother Princess Diana getting off a plane at Aberdeen Airport
Harry and Meghan rip up the etiquette rule book for South Africa trip
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are known for their laid-back approach to official engagements – and their royal tour of Africa will be no exception, royal insiders have claimed.
Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle, 38, have ripped up the etiquette rule book for their 10-day visit, eschewing formal greetings and relaxing the requirements for how they are addressed, according to Vanity Fair.
The couple arrived in Cape Town with five-month-old Archie this morning to kick off the first leg of their first royal tour as a family.
Speaking to Vanity Fair, a royal source claimed Meghan and Harry are keen to meet as many South Africans as possible during their engagements – and want their outings to be as relaxed as possible, despite heightened security measures.
‘It’s very much how they want things done,’ the source said. ‘There is no protocol that says you have to bow or curtsy when you meet them, it’s really up to the individual.’
The then six-month-old Prince looked sweet in a head-to-toe knitted cream outfit as he was carried off the plane at Aberdeen airport by his mother Princess Diana in March 1985.
The apparent tribute was praised by fans, who said it brought back ‘great memories’ of Prince Harry as a child.
One wrote: ‘Love when they channel past looks!’ Another posted: ‘So alike in these pics!’
Noticing the similarities extended beyond their wardrobes, another royal watcher added: ‘Archie is 100% his father’.
The Sussexes arrived 40 minutes late into Cape Town this morning after taking a British Airways overnight flight from London.
While the couple opted to forgo a formal welcome, photos of their arrival have emerged – offering royal watchers their first glimpse of Archie on the tour.
Beaming Meghan, 38, was pictured carrying four-month-old Archie, who sported an adorable bobble hat for the occasion.
Harry, 34, yesterday said they ‘can’t wait’ to introduce their son to Africa. They added that the 10-day tour is likely to be ‘more lively’ then usual with baby Archie joining them for the first time.
The Sussexes are set to undertake their first official tour as a family of three, starting and ending their trip with engagements in impoverished townships in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
In between Harry will visit Botswana, Angola and Malawi, leaving his wife and young son in Cape Town for five days as the small propeller plane he will be travelling isn’t child friendly. The family will be reunited in Johannesburg for the last leg on their trip.
