Royal tour of Africa 2019: Meghan meets local children and artisans during visit to Timbuktu
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has delighted children and struggling artists alike with a visit to Timbuktu.
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Meghan Duchess of Sussex has made a surprise visit to a community centre in Lorentzville, Johannesburg, to meet local children and artisans.
The Duchess stopped by Victoria Yards, which hosts markets and helps creative people in South Africa, early on Tuesday Australian time.
Meghan was pictured with local children who were excited to see her on the unexpected engagement.
The Royal Sussex Instagram account posted pictures of the stop.
“(The) Duchess of Sussex visited Victoria Yards, which celebrates the power of community, bringing local artisans and “makers” together to rebuild, support and learn from each other on a holistic level,” a post with the pictures said.
“It was an exceptional afternoon where the Duchess had the chance to connect with the children and founders of the phenomenal program for kids’ development Timbuktu in The Valley.
“She was also struck by the local denim designer who founded the eponymous brand Tshepo.”
Meghan’s tour will continue early Wednesday Australian time with a visit with university leaders to learn about the challenges women face accessing education.
HARRY’S HEARTFELT TRIBUTE TO TRAGIC SOLDIER
Prince Harry has delivered on a promise to honour a British soldier who was killed by an elephant in Malawi.
The Duke of Sussex contacted the family of Guardsman Mathew Talbot when he was killed in May to personally express his condolences.
Harry has laid a wreath in honour of the 22-year-old who died on his first assignment, in a public display of solidarity.
Guardsman Talbot, of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, had been working on an anti-
poaching operation when he was killed.
His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ed Launders, said after his death: “I will always be honoured to have served alongside Guardsman Mathew Talbot.
“He was a determined and big hearted Coldstreamer who devoted his life to serving his country.
“It was typical of his character to volunteer for an important and challenging role in Malawi.
“He was hugely proud of his work as a counter poaching operator and tragically died doing great good.”
Poaching is a highly sophisticated and lucrative trade in Africa, worth billions of dollars each year.
Heavily armed criminal gangs target elephants for their ivory, which is worth more than gold.
British soldiers have been training local rangers to fight the poachers.
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Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “His Royal Highness will lay a wreath and pay tribute to Guardsman Mathew Talbot of the Coldstream Guards, who tragically lost his life on a joint anti-poaching patrol with local park rangers in May this year.
“Malawi was Guardsman Talbot’s first operational deployment where he was working as a Counter Poaching Operator.
“He was responsible for supporting his Section Commander in training delivery, delivering some of the training himself and acting as a role model to the rangers.”
The program has been making progress on cracking down on the poachers.
The British Guardsman and local rangers have removed 229 animal traps.
“Last year 1000 kgs of ivory were seized and 114 arrests made, a ten-fold increase in detentions compared to 2015. In 2018, the UK expanded its deployments in the African country to Nkhotakota and Majete Wildlife Reserves after a pilot scheme in Liwonde National Park,” the palace said.
“All three parks in Malawi — Nkhotakota, Majete and Liwonde — are managed by African Parks, a non-profit conservation organisation, in partnership with Malawi’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife. The Duke of Sussex became President of African Parks in December 2017.”
Guardsman Talbot worked on ceremonial duties in London before he volunteered for Malawi.
He had also done training in Kenya.
Harry has been a passionate advocate of conservation of animals and the environment.
“Guardsman Talbot shared His Royal Highness’s passion for the role of the British military, working in partnership with local rangers to protect endangered species,” the palace added.
Harry was also expected to see an anti-poaching demonstration last night.
Stephen.drill@news.co.uk
Originally published as Royal tour of Africa 2019: Meghan meets local children and artisans during visit to Timbuktu
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