During her extended tour of southern Africa with husband Prince Harry, Meghan Markle took a personal detour to honor slain college student Uyinene Mrwetyana. 

The 19-year-old University of Cape Town student was raped and murdered by a post office worker on August 24. Her body, which appeared to have been set on fire, was found locked in the trunk of the postal worker's vehicle that had been abandoned.

Mrwetyana’s death sparked intense protests led by women, asking the question, “Am I Next?” and challenging leaders to address high rates of femicide and violence against women in South Africa. 

According to Daily Mail, officials in South Africa reported a 6.9% increase in homicides nationwide, with an average of at least 137 sexual offenses committed every day. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, a minister in South Africa, said more than 30 women were murdered by their spouses in August alone. 

"It is clear that a war has been declared against women and girl children," National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise said. "It cannot be business as usual."

Last week, Markle publicly denounced gender-based violence, alongside Prince Harry during a visit to a self-defense workshop in Nyanga township. While there, she expressed solidarity with women and girls in South Africa.

"I am here with you as a mother, as a wife, as a woman, as a woman of color and as your sister,” Markle said.

The Philadelphia Tribune reported the Duchess of Sussex was closely following the story of Mrwetyana and wanted to honor the slain woman as a “personal gesture.”

Markle visited the memorial site for Mrwetyana privately, tying a ribbon with a written message, “Simi kunye kulesisimo” or “We stand together in this moment,” to the memorial. 

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“Simi kunye kulesisimo” – ‘We stand together in this moment’ 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 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. 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. For more information on the recent events in SA, please continue to follow our tour #AmINext

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“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 post from the official Sussex Royal Instagram read. 

The 42-year-old man responsible for Mrwetyana’s rape and murder has been arrested and charged after confessing to the crimes.

Femicidemeghan markleMemorialSouth-AfricaUyinene-Mrwetyana