The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are currently halfway through a 10-day tour of southern Africa. The royal couple temporarily parted to take on solo engagements with Harry travelling to Botswana to meet up with the charity he co-founded and then on to Angola to take part in demining efforts.
On Thursday 26th September, Meghan, who has been staying o in South Africa, made a private visit to the memorial of Uyinene Mrewetyana, the 19-year-old college student who was raped and murdered last month, allegedly by a post office employee who is currently standing trial in South Africa. Uyinene’s funeral took place on the 7th of September. Meghan’s visit was originally secret - most likely as not to draw press attention from husband Harry’s solo engagements – but according to the Duchess’ spokespeople as first reported by the Sun, Meghan made the pilgrimage as a “personal gesture.”
The Claremont post office where Uyinene was killed has became a memorial, with people leaving yellow ribbons as tributes. Meghan also left a yellow ribbon with a moving message written in Xhosa: “Simi kunye kulesisimo” which has been translated as “We stand with you in this moment.”
The couple’s official Instagram posted a photo of Meghan tying a ribbon with a caption that read “The Duke and Duchess had been following what had happened from afar and were both eager to learn more when they arrived in South Africa.” They also revealed that Meghan has over the last two days been taking “private visits and meetings to deepen her understanding of the current situation and continue to advocate for the rights of women and girls.”
A link to a New Yorker article about Uyinene's death was posted on the Sussexes' Instagram for followers to read more about South Africa's #AmINext movement,
The horrific crime sparked outrage in South Africa and there have been many recent protests gender-based violence. Meghan spoke privately with Uyinene’s mother, Nomangwane to give her condolences and to “show solidarity with those who have taken a stand against gender-based violence and femicide.”
It’s well known the Duchess of Sussex identifies as a feminist and her work both before and while a member of the royal family, has often focused on women’s empowerment and issues. Earlier in the tour, Meghan and Harry spoke about the issue of gender-based violence in Nyanga as they visited a local initiative that offers girls self-defence classes.
In a speech, the duchess said “"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"