MEGHAN GETS INTO THE SWING
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle had their African tour off to a swinging start yesterday, dancing with well-wishers during a traditional ceremony.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex let their hair down after arriving in South Africa with baby Archie for their 10-day trip.
As they visited Nyanga, Cape Town, Meghan danced with young girls, telling them: “I am your sister.”
The royal couple were making an appearance at a community notorious for violence against women.
Meghan, 38, called the young girls who greeted them “inspiring” for the way they dealt with the issue head on by learning self defence and educating the men in their community.
In her maiden speech of the tour, Meghan told the youngsters how she supported their struggle against violence “as a woman of colour and your sister”.
Vital
After witnessing a selfdefence class for girls as young as seven and taking part in a “problem-sharing session”, Meghan told the audience: “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.
“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 commu- nity, who need you to con- tinue to shine your light brightly.
“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 of colour and as your sister.
“I am here with you and I am here for you. When women are empowered, the entire community flour- ishes.You are all powerful.”
The Duke and Duchess were treated to colourful performances of traditional dancing and singing at an arts centre in the middle of the township.
The event was held by the Justice Desk, an organisation that runs outreach programmes tackling violence against females in South Africa.
The group presented the royal couple with gifts for Archie, including a hoodie.
Harry met boxing coaches at the Mbokodo Club. The mantra of the group is set upon making women strong so they stand up to gender violence.
Harry said: “No man is born to cause harm to women. This is learned behaviour and we need to break that cycle.
“Your strength is in your spirit which for me means honouring and protecting my wife and being a positive role model for my son.”
Later in the day, the Royals visited a museum dedicated to the story of the 60,000 inhabitants of various races who were forced to relocate during the apartheid regime in the 1970s.
Harry and Meghan will today travel to a beach outside Cape Town to visit Waves For Change, a group that provides mental health services to vulnerable young people.
They will also visit The Lunchbox Fund, one of four charities to benefit from public donations made after the birth of Archie.