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British RoyalsFeatures

Milestones of a Monarch: The Queen’s historic State Visit to South Africa

In March 1995, Her Majesty The Queen would make a historic visit to South Africa.

It was hugely significant for many reasons and came less than a year after the country’s first fully democratic elections had seen Nelson Mandela chosen by his people as their president.

It was also very special for The Queen as it was her first trip back to a county she loved since she visited as a young princess at the age of 21 in 1947.

The Queen, alongside her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, debarked from her royal yacht in Cape Town where she began the week long visit of what South African politicians say was the nation’s final seal of acceptance into the Commonwealth of Nations, and the international community. Buckingham Palace had stated this was one of Her Majesty’s most important visits.

The Queen’s visit was not always well-received. In Langa Township near Cape Town, The Queen’s visit was cut short as crowds surged past security to catch a closer glimpse of the monarch. Despite security recommendations to not visit black townships, many noted how Her Majesty ignored security advice and made her first visit to a black township.

Her Majesty visited Khayelitsha, near Cape Town. An area that is known to have rusted iron shacks, little sanitation, and electricity. Alfred Hesewu, a local bricklayer in the area said of Her Majesty’s visit at the time: “To see the Queen means that South Africa is now united with all the nations of the world and is no longer isolated.”

Nophumzile Mange also spoke on the visit: “My wish is to tell her about our squalid lives in these shacks. We didn’t know whether this day would ever dawn. It looks like the world is going to be a better place than before.”

In 1994, South Africa rejoined the Commonwealth after Nelson Mandela was elected in the first national election open to all races, including the black majority. Her Majesty gave Mandela the Order of Merit, a distinction bestowed only on 24 Britons and one other living foreigner (at the time), Mother Teresa.

President Mandela would pay a state visit to the United Kingdom in July 1996. Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh would not visit South Africa again until November 1999 when they came as guests of President Thabo Mbeki.

About author

My name is Sydney Zatz and I am a University of Iowa graduate. I graduated with a degree in journalism and sports studies, and a minor in sport and recreation management. A highlight of my college career was getting the chance to study abroad in London and experiencing royal history firsthand. I have a passion for royals, royal history, and journalism, which led me to want to write for Royal Central.