Meghan Markle Warned Before Flying To SA: ‘We Don’t Want To Be Told What To Do’

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are heading to South Africa, and their official schedules were announced already. The couple will also bring their son, Archie, and all of them will fly out to Cape Town, South Africa, on Sept. 22.

Once they land on Sept. 23, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s first schedule is a visit to the town, and Archie will be left to the care of his nanny while his parents start their activities. It was said that although the pair also wants to include their son in one of their tour stops, it might be difficult do so. Thus, he will most likely just stay at home for the whole duration of the trip.

“The couple hopes to be able to include Archie at some point in the program,” a royal insider told People. “But it is difficult to schedule because he is just 5 months old.”

Prince Harry and Meghan’s private secretary, Samantha Cohen, relayed to the press that the royal couple’s visit will serve as an opportunity for them to underline the causes that they have been campaigning for many years. Aside from this, it will also show the relationship and partnership that the modern UK and Africa has.

“The Duchess will be working with organizations to promote women’s education, health, entrepreneurship and leadership,” Cohen told the media. “The Duchess of Sussex is particularly looking forward to the opportunity to learn from inspirational women in the region. As Patron of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, Her Royal Highness will meet female entrepreneurs, academics and community leaders, and join discussions with Southern African young women about the future of their countries.”

As stated, Meghan will mostly focus on working with African women, and she hopes to inspire them through her advocacies. However, the duchess was warned against giving her own opinions while delivering her speeches or joining in discussions to empower the women.

Express reported that the South African campaigners stated that the Duchess of Sussex can visit them, but she can’t just show up in their area and “preach” them about human rights. They said that she can’t simply come and give her opinions because people hate that kind of cultural colonialism.

“It would be helpful for her to become involved but it has to be done with care and sensitivity,” Professor Amanda Gouws of Stellenbosch University said. “One way to really upset South Africans is when the ‘global north’ comes to lecture us about what we are doing wrong and how much better it could be if we were more like them.”

Meghan has talked about gender equality and has campaigned on behalf of female sex workers around the world, and South African activist, Fatima Shabodien, said that they welcome the duchess’ input. However, she urged her to talk to the local people and groups in private if she wants to speak to them about the issues in order to avoid problems since it involves a very sensitive topic for them.

“She should consult with people who live these experiences, in private if that’s necessary,” Express quoted Shabodien as saying. “We welcome her if she approaches us respectfully, but we don’t want to be told what to do by anyone.”