Meghan Markle Received a Big Hug Upon Arrival at the Nyanga Township in Cape Town
Just a few hours after landing in South Africa, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex got straight to work with their first engagement, visiting a township in Cape Town. The community was excited to greet the royal couple, and Meghan received a lovely welcome from one of the children, who gave her a big hug just after the Sussexes arrived at the Nyanga Methodist Church.
The Duke and Duchess touched down on a scheduled British Airways flight late this morning before making their way to their undisclosed residence with members of their 13-strong entourage.
After dropping off baby Archie, they visited the Nyanga township to see the work of an initiative that teaches children about their rights and safety. The township has been labeled the "murder capital of South Africa" for its high crime rates.
Looking refreshed despite their overnight flight, Harry and Meghan were greeted by Jessica Dewhurst who founded human rights organization Justice Desk as well as community leader Theodora Luthuli.
The organization provides young people with information about their rights, self-awareness, and safety, and provides self-defense classes and female empowerment training to young girls in the community. The Justice Desk is supported by the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust of which Harry is president and Meghan is vice president.
Focusing on women’s empowerment is a priority for Meghan on this tour, and the couple wasted no time highlighting the cause straight away. They are scheduled to observe the Mbokodo Girls’ empowerment program which provides support to young women who have suffered major trauma. The project’s motto is 'Wathint' Abafazi, Wathint' Imbokodo' (when you strike a women; you strike a rock).
The session will begin with the students reciting ‘Our Deepest Fear,’ the club’s anthem. The girls will then break off into four training groups and Harry and Meghan will circulate and meet them. Later on, Harry and Meghan will both make speeches.
Their first day will conclude with a visit to District 6, where 60,000 residents were forcibly removed and relocated during apartheid. The couple will view the exhibition and hear about how the Cape Malay community lived in harmony until the forced separation.
Harry and Meghan will meet the public on a short walkabout to the Homecoming Centre next door. There, they will join in with food preparations before sitting down to sample some of the cuisines that demonstrate the cultural diversity of District 6. During the meal, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will have an opportunity to hear from the residents, and their experiences of living in, and leaving the area.
Meghan will then exchange a copy of Together, the Hubb Community Kitchen cookbook, with some of the contributors to the District 6 Cookery book.
You Might Also Like
