Meghan Markle made an extremely important statement on gender-based violence

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are making non-stop viral news on their royal tour of Africa, but it was Meghan Markle’s movements that really got people talking this weekend.

According to People, Prince Harry went on to Angola for royal engagements, but it was Meghan who stayed in Cape Town, South Africa this weekend, to add a touching tribute to the tour, paying her respects at the memorial of Uyinene Mrwetyana, a 19-year-old student who was allegedly raped and killed by a 42-year-old post office employee.

‘#Meghan made a secret trip to pay tribute to #Uyinene Mrwetyana whose brutal murder has outraged South Africa,’ royal commentator Emily Andrews reported. ‘The Duchess was so shocked by the torture, rape and murder of the beautiful student she made a top-secret pilgrimage to the post office where she was killed.’

‘Having closely followed the tragic story, it was a personal gesture [Meghan] wanted to make,’ a spokesperson told People.

‘Simi kunye kulesisimo – We stand together in this moment’, read a tribute on the Sussex Royal Instagram page.

‘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 post continued: ‘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.’

Concluding the tribute, the account posted: ‘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.’

This is extremely important.