After this morning’s meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Harry and Meghan’s paths diverge. While Harry headed to Botswana, Meghan stayed in South Africa with Archie, having her own schedule of events starting with this afternoon’s visit to the Woodstock Exchange for a conversation with female entrepreneurs.
Meghan met several women who have set up their own businesses in industries such as technology, conservation and fashion and praised them for “empowering the next generation” of creative minds.
During a conversation with Lara Rosmarin, CEO of Cape Innovation and Technology, who is a mom of two Meghan said: “It must be a lot to juggle. We’re only five months in right now. Being a working mum and travelling as well with a baby, my goodness it’s a lot, but it’s all so exciting.”
The non-profit NGO was inspired by the Lance Armstrong cancer awareness armband and how it connected people both to a cause and each other. Today it employs women from disadvantaged backgrounds across South Africa to make bracelets for good causes.
Meghan was very amazed by a company named Relate who was founded by Lauren Gills who said:
“We started off with an idea and from that initial crowdfunding we have now raised £3.5million from the sale of 3.5million bracelets that we put back into communities empowering women from disadvantaged communities. The work they do is reflected right back into their own community and that really is the difference to helping alleviate their struggles.”
Meghan said:
“I find that so fascinating, it’s such an interesting concept, by empowering these women from those backgrounds they are changing the focus of their communities and empowering the next generation.”
The Woodstock Exchange was launched in 2011, with purpose of serving as “an incubator for young fledgling businesses as well as a home to international market makers and acclaimed artisans. The common thread throughout is – and always has been – creativity and inspirational exchange.”
The ‘Ladies Who Launch’ event that Meghan joined focused on “highlighting the skills and mentorship of the female entrepreneurs changing the landscape of employment in South Africa.” Meghan joined a panel group talking about their experiences.
A video from the engagement:
And a group photo was taken:
Meghan the left to her next stop of the day: the Mothers2Mothers charity!
Upon arrival Meghan met some well-wishers including young fan Amara Nenguke, who told her she wants to be a pediatrician when she grows up.
She is only 9 years old and told reporters afterwards: ‘She asked me how old I am, I answered, and she asked me what I wanted to do one day, and she asked me my name. I said, ‘I want to be a pediatrician’. She said ‘You can be anything you want’.’
‘I cried because I have never met such an amazing person like her, it was amazing to see.’
Meghan was warmly welcomed to the centre by Frank Beadle De Palomo, President and CEO of mothers2mothers and two of its spokeswomen, Limpho Nteko rom Lesotho, and Nobuntu Ma-awu from Khayelitsha.
Mothers2Mothers is an international nonprofit organization aiming to educate and support pregnant women and new mothers living with HIV. The charity was founded in 2001 and works in over 400 sites in 7 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and employs over 1000 women living with HIV.
Meghan brought a large black hold all full of baby clothing outgrown Archie and the children of friends, to hand over to the women.They included two tiny white vests, one bearing the words The Future and another with the Invictus Games logo.
“Here’s a few little things that I thought would be helpful,” she said, holding them up one by one. “The Future. And he’s outgrown his Invictus one,” she laughed.
Meghan then went on accepting a gift of a framed photograph of women helped by the organisation. Meghan told the host:
“I just thought that, in the spirit of community, what’s so nice is to be able to share some of the things that we have at home as well.
Pointing on a 15-month-old girl called Asivile, who was rolling around on the floor in front Meghan and the group, she said laughing “Look at who’s having the best time, living her best life!”
Meghan was quick to suggest they move to the floor, where a selection of playthings were laid out for the youngsters. “We can all sit down here; I just think if it was Archie and we had all these toys in the middle but I made him sit in the chair it would be so unfair! When the group hesitated, she urged them on, laughing, “I can’t be the only one sitting down here.”
Meghan crossed her legs on the carpet and held out a finger to one baby girl next to her as a woman named Limpho shared her story. When Meghan heard that she had a daughter aged five months, she said “almost the same age as baby Archie”, Meghan gasped, “Oh my goodness!”
Limpho then went on saying she was 19, pregnant and married to a man seven years older than her when she was diagnosed with HIV.
Meghan asked her: “Did you feel scared?” – “Scared, ashamed and it was just terrifying,” she replied. “One of those moments when you just want to disappear.”
Limpho has since given birth to two healthy children. She became a Mother Mentor herself and is helping to train others.
SussexRoyal shared a Instagram post about the visit:
Meghan looked her usual chic self in the Everlane Japanese Go Weave Jumpsuit , which she first wore when working on the issue of Vogue magazine that she guest edited earlier this year.
The jumpsuit is described as “Your one-and-done outfit – fit for any occasion. This versatile jumpsuit has an elegant double-V neckline neck, easy wide legs, and a removable tie belt to create a more feminine silhouette. Made of our drapey, wrinkle-resistant Japanese GoWeave fabric that’s perfect for warm weather and travel.”
Meghan added her Manolo Blahnik black suede BB pumps to the look
And accessorized it with her gorgeous Gas Bijoux earring which she debuted for the first time in Morocco.
And her Zofia Day cuff
A lovely Sussex day!!