At the end of a busy first day for the Sussexes, they visited the District Six Museum in Cape Town to learn more about the history of apartheid
The purpose of the District Six Museum is to tell the story of the tens of thousands of South Africans who were forced to leave the neighborhood during the violent period of the country’s history. The purpose was also to share the traditional fare and home cooking that has helped bring the community back together. Harry and Meghan were shown around the museum by its director Bonita Bennett.
District six was founded in 1989 and the museum in 1994. As you can see in the picture above, Meghan and Harry are looking at the floor of the museum because it is covered with a big map of the district with handwritten notes of former inhabitants, which indicate where their houses were located.
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“Harry and Meghan were shown around the museum by its director Bonita Bennett. The site commemorates the 60,000 residents who were relocated during apartheid when the area was declared whites only. Bennett told T&C that she hopes the royal visit will make more people want to come and hear the stories of District Six.”
“One always wants the story to be told much more broadly,” she said. “I think it’s great in terms of reminding people of an important story. I think it will probably make an impact on people visiting from the U.K. and say, ‘maybe this is a place we should visit,’” she said.
“I think that’s one of the aims of the visit. I think this will help to amplify that story and make it known on a broader level.””
After seeing an interactive map explaining the history of the area it was time for a walkabout meeting the huge crowd outside the museum waiting for Harry and Meghan.
Among the crowd was artist Adrien Mallel, who had been waiting for an opportunity to give Harry a portrait that she had done of him. “I’ve been wanting to get it to him for quite a while,” she explained afterward.
“Meghan said she loved it. She said ‘wow.’ She thanked me very much. He asked if it was a gift.”
81-year-old Somaya Ebrahim hugged both Harry and Meghan when she got the chance. She was also in the crowds when the Queen first visited Cape Town with her parents and sister in 1947.
Somaya happily asked the couple: ‘Where’s Archie?’ She was told he was sleeping.
Somaya was overwhelmed by the meeting, saying afterward: ‘It was amazing, they were so lovely.’
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“He’s not grouchy, just exhausted,” Harry explained to another fan today, saying that the flight from the U.K. to South Africa left his son feeling tired.
Despite the long journey, little Archie stayed entertained on the flight by checking out the views. He was “staring out the window” looking at Cape Town’s local landmark Table Mountain, Harry revealed, according to royal correspondent Emily Andrews.”
Meghan and Harry then made their way to a homecoming center in District Six, where they joined former residents in a community cooking class.
They dined on Cape Malay koesisters, a form of doughnut. Both Harry Meghan appeared happy and relaxed as they chatted with museum representatives and activists during the visit. They also enjoyed some samosas.
Meghan gifted them a copy of her ‘Together’ cookbook and they gifted her a cookbook.
Meghan received her copy:
The Duchess of Sussex’s wardrobe for her trip to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tonga last October was a triumph, so it’s no wonder she’s repeating a key piece for the tour of South Africa.
This shirt dress is the Veronica Beard Cary dress and I love the sky-blue hue and flattering midi length.
Meghan wore her Castaner Carina wedges from earlier today
Meghan wore a turquoise ring by Jennifer Meyer.
Earlier today Meghan and Harry arrived in Cape Town visiting Nyanga Township in Cape Town.
For tomorrow Meghan and Harry have scheduled:
- They will travel to Monwabisi Beach to meet with Waves for Change, a charity that works with local surfers to provide mental health support for youth. They’ll also meet with the Lunchbox Fund, which provides daily meals for South African schoolchildren, as well as Waves for Change programs
- They will then meet with Dr. Thomas Maes, the man heading the Commonwealth Litter Program, which was launched at last year’s London Commonwealth Summit.
- They will then visit Bo Kaap in celebration of Heritage Day. They will see the oldest mosque in the country, Auwal mosque, and have tea with local residents
- They will finish the day with a reception at the British High Commissioner’s residence
Stay tuned on the blog!