The Duchess of Sussex quietly visited the memorial of murdered South African student Uyinene Mrwetyana, whose rape and murder last month highlighted the high rates of violence against women in the country.
Meghan paid tribute as a “personal gesture” at the post office where the 19-year-old University of Cape Town student was attacked, CNN reports. She is currently on tour of southern Africa with her husband Harry, and son Archie, who made his public debut this week.
“We can confirm that earlier this week The Duchess made a private visit to the memorial of Uyinene Mrwetyana,” a royal spokesperson confirmed. “Having closely followed the tragic story, it was a personal gesture she wanted to make.”
View this post on Instagram
“Simi kunye kulesisimo” – ‘We stand together in this moment’ The Duchess of Sussex has tied a ribbon at the site where 19-year-old Cape Town student Uyinene Mrwetyana was murdered last month, to pay her respects and to show solidarity with those who have taken a stand against gender based violence and femicide. Over the last month in Capetown, protests erupted through the streets in outrage over GBV in South Africa. 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. The Duchess spoke to the mother of Uyinene this week to relay their condolences. Visiting the site of this tragic death and being able to recognise Uyinene, and all women and girls effected by GBV (specifically in South Africa, but also throughout the world) was personally important to The Duchess. Uyinene’s death has mobilised people across South Africa in the fight against gender based violence, and is seen as a critical point in the future of women’s rights in South Africa. The Duchess has taken private visits and meetings over the last two days to deepen her understanding of the current situation and continue to advocate for the rights of women and girls. For more information on the recent events in South Africa, please see link in bio. #AmINext
A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Sep 27, 2019 at 11:35pm PDT
“We stand together in this situation. Harry and Meghan September 26, 2019”, Meghan wrote on a yellow ribbon left at the scene in the local language Xhosa.
Mrwetyana’s death appeared to be a tipping point for many South African women, who took to the streets soon aftter to protest at the government’s failure to deal with rising violence against women.
The post Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Pays Tribute To Murdered South African Student appeared first on Essence.
