For their final day in South Africa, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex began with a visit to the Tembisa Township near Johannesburg to meet inspiring young people.
"Being able to be in Africa and South Africa—it’s my first time being in this country—has been really powerful," she said. "And Harry has continued on in a couple [of] other countries—we are reuniting today, which I can’t wait for, I miss him so much!—but I think for us it has been a really special trip, because you get to see when you’re focusing on the causes that are really important to us, you can see that the impact is good, and it feels meaningful."
In the brief interview the Duchess also elaborated on her thoughts on women’s empowerment and gender based violence, which she has discussed several times during her 10 days in South Africa. She said: "It’s been very important to me for a long time to focus on women’s and girls’ rights, and especially their empowerment. So to be able to see this from afar, and then now see the work that’s being done on the ground—I think what’s really key is to focus on the work that needs to be done, but also how much incredible work is being done, and to be able to be here and help support those people who are really actively working to champion the rights of women and girls."
An arrival video.
Harry and Meghan were welcomed by Melody Campbell from the British High Commission and YES CEO Tashmia Ismail-Saville.
The Duke and Duchess saw the incredible work of Yes4Youth, a business-led collaboration with government to create one million employment opportunities for young people. The non-profit believes often times getting a "first chance" can be the only stumbling block on the road to starting a career. They focus on disadvantaged people between 18 and 35 by providing work experience for a year. At the end of the programme, they have a CV, a reference letter and the experience to take on their next challenge. The initiative was launched last year by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
I recently read youth unemployment is at an all time high of over 56% in South Africa. Organisations like Yes4Youth are vital in an uphill battle to turn the tide. Harry and Meghan discussed the challenges and barriers for young men and women entering the workforce.
Town & Country reports:
I recently read youth unemployment is at an all time high of over 56% in South Africa. Organisations like Yes4Youth are vital in an uphill battle to turn the tide. Harry and Meghan discussed the challenges and barriers for young men and women entering the workforce.
Town & Country reports:
“We have a massive youth employment problem in South Africa,” Tashmia Ismail-Saville tells T&C. “Legacies of apartheid have meant that communities like this have always been on the back end of education and healthcare so these development outcomes are lower. You have in a township six out ten people unemployed...Places like this are here to bring learning, knowledge, technologies into the community...give younger people who are in the community an idea of career pathways that they can build.”
Ismail-Saville added about the royal visit: “This kind of visit gives such momentum to our movement...It’s fantastic that they come to South Africa and visit this type of space, which is not always comfortable to do.”
They spent time chatting with Mish - a local Masterchef winner who now runs his own catering business. Harry and Meghan sampled several of his delicious dishes.
They also saw the work of Blossom Care Solutions. They are empowering and supporting women by training them to manufacture their own biodegradable sanitary pads 40% cheaper than the average market price. Statistics show that almost 60% of South African girls between 13-19 do not have regular access to sanitary products and as a result miss up to 25% of the school year.
Their works is very similar to the Myna Mahila Foundation which Meghan visited in India.
During a speech, reflecting on the past ten days, Harry said: "It’s moments like today and meeting all of you, that inspires us. Whether supporting young entrepreneurs, empowering women and girls, or challenging the issue of gender-based violence; whether it’s been planting trees, clearing landmines, or protecting the most beautiful creatures and places on the planet, these experiences have affirmed our love of Africa, and the issues that are so important to us."
Footage of both Harry and Meghan's speeches.
Harry's full speech:
' I’ve got to be honest, it’s a bit of a whirlwind to cover five countries in nine days, but what a place and what a community to finish on here in Tembisa. There is no doubt in my mind that you here at the YES hub are the future leaders and pillars of your communities - for many, you already are. You are the change-makers. You are helping to grow your country’s prosperity by lifting those around you and offering a better future.
This continent is going through a period of change. Africa needs to create 20 million jobs by 2035, and while youth unemployment is a global challenge, it’s particularly a problem here where nearly 57% of young people are unemployed.
Starting adult life in this way can start a cycle of poverty that can be difficult to escape, but you guys are producing solutions, and for that, we commend you.
For this reason, I’m incredibly proud to share that the UK is going to provide £8 million for a “Skills for Prosperity” programme working with the South African Government and other partners.
This programme is going to maximise African ingenuity with UK support to fill the gap between the skills that employers urgently need, and the training offered to employees.
In my role as The Queen’s Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, I am so incredibly fortunate to meet young people who are determined to make a real difference and make their mark on the world through action. Meeting people like you makes me realise that the world is in good hands.
We’re going to see your President this afternoon as well and we will tell him all we have seen and heard. It is so great to see the South Africa - UK relationship so strong. I have often talked about Africa as my second home, and I’ve often been asked why I love it so much. Well, over these last 9 days I have been trying to put my feelings and experiences into words, which is not easy!
I wanted to try and answer a more specific question for myself - what is the essence of Africa? Why is it that so many visitors feel Africa gets under our skin and into our soul?
Last night I returned from my third visit to the 4th poorest country in the world - Malawi. Despite extreme hardship and ongoing challenges on so many levels, people are generous, they are strong, humble and incredibly optimistic.
I know that there are daily struggles that most of us couldn’t begin to imagine. Yet I have seen strength, resilience, a sense of hope and empathy that I can only aspire to replicate. Ever since I came to this continent as a young boy, trying to cope with something I can never possibly describe, Africa has held me in an embrace that I will never forget, and I feel incredibly fortunate for that.
And every time I come here; I know that I’m not alone. I always feel - wherever I am on this continent - that the community around me provides a life that is enriching, and is rooted in the simplest things - connection, connections with others and the natural environment.
And as I raise my own son, I want to make sure that what I’ve learned here – the value of the natural world, the value of community and friendship – is something that I can pass on to him.
Next year we launch our new foundation and it’s moments like today and meeting all of you, that inspires us. Whether supporting young entrepreneurs, empowering women and girls, or challenging the issue of gender-based violence…Whether it’s been planting trees, clearing landmines, or protecting the most beautiful creatures and places on this planet - these experiences have affirmed our love of Africa, and the issues that are so important to us.
We will firmly stand up for what we believe. We are fortunate enough to have a position that gives us amazing opportunities, and we will do everything that we can to play our part in building a better world. We will always seek to challenge injustice and to speak out for those who may feel unheard. So no matter your background, your nationality, your age or gender, your sexuality, your physical ability, no matter your circumstance or colour of your skin – we believe in you, and we intend to spend our entire lives making sure you have the opportunity to succeed and change the world.'
In terrific news, the Prince announced an £8 millions skills grant from UK Aid to help tackle youth unemployment. After his speech, Harry introduced his wife and joked she wouldn't be using notes.
During Meghan's speech she discussed the inspiring work of Blossom. "There's not much I can add to that, outside saying that on our last day here in South Africa, thank you all so much. As my husband said so eloquently, you all really have been such an inspiration for us and being here today, from every level of what we’ve seen, there is such a holistic approach to how you have energised and mobilised each other to be part of a bigger change. On a personal note, seeing the work that’s being done at Blossom is incredible. I have worked with an organisation very similar, several years ago in India called Myna Mahila and being able to see that you’re creating a product that is needed within the community you’re be able to become the provider for everything about the economy and what you need - as opposed to getting it externally, you are feeding yourselves through that work and on top of which being able to enable these women to have the power to own the company is amazing."
Meghan praised the "talent, ingenuity and promise" of the township, adding "the potential here is astronomical". She continued "I think for you women, I’m so proud of you and the business you’re creating, and also being able to now control your own purse strings, because when you have that level of independence, my goodness you can do anything. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to meet with all of you, to be able to feel inspired and for welcoming us so warmly, strongly, beautifully to your country. We’ve loved it."
#RoyalVisitSouthAfrica The Duchess speaking to the youth in Tembisa this morning @Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/p24S7d9OTV— malungelo booi (@malungelob) October 2, 2019
Meghan chose a cream midi-length shirtdress with a belted waist for the engagement. Emily Nash reports: "Meghan’s dress today was the Tencel Shirt Dress from ethical Cape Town label Hannah Lavery. The limited edition design was created from leftover fabric to minimize fabric waste. It’s currently available in stores and will be online soon."
The designer shared her excitement on Instagram: "The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle wore our Tencel Shirt Dress today in Johannesburg and we are so honoured to be one of the local designers she has chosen to wear during her trip to South Africa!"
The Duchess wore her Stuart Weitzman Legend pumps in haze beige.
The Duchess accessorised with a pair of $22 red Madewell Stone & Tassel earrings (with thanks to Heaven).
A closer look at Meghan wearing the pretty earrings.
Meghan also wore a beaded bracelet which was given to her during her private visit to the Teddy Bear Clinic yesterday, where she met victims of domestic and sexual violence.
From there, Harry and Meghan travelled to meet Mrs Graca Machal, widow of the late Nelson Mandela. I'll be covering that next.
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