TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Menantu Ratu Elizabeth II, Meghan Markle, pada awal pekan lalu secara diam-diam mengunjungi sebuah makam seorang mahasiswi di Afrika Selatan bernama Uyinene Mrwetyana. Pihak Istana Buckingham mengkonfirmasi hal ini.

Mrwetyana, 19 tahun, adalah mahasiswi di Universitas Cape Town, Afrika Selatan yang tewas dibunuh setelah diperkosa pada Agustus 2019. Tindak kejahatan yang sangat brutal yang dialami Mrwetyana telah memancing kemarahan masyarakat Afrika Selatan dan kembali menyoroti masalah feminisme di negara itu.

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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 South Africa, please see link in bio. #AmINext

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Sep 27, 2019 at 11:35pm PDT

Istana Buckingham mengatakan Meghan yang sedang melakukan kunjungan kerja bersama suaminya Pangeran Harry ke Afrika Selatan, mengetahui kisah tragis Mrwetyana. Meghan lalu ingin mengunjungi makam Mrwetyana secara pribadi.

Dalam unggahan Instagram Meghan atau yang bergelar Duchess of Sussex, Meghan terlihat mengikatkan sebuah pita ditempat Mrwetyana tewas dibunuh. Meghan juga menyambangi ibu korban dan menyampaikan duka cita atas nama Pangeran Harry.

"Kunjungan ke makam ini bagi Duchess of Sussex secara pribadi sangat penting," tulis Instagram Sussex Royal, seperti dikutip dari edition.cnn.com.

Sumber di Kerajaan Inggris mengatakan Meghan mengenakkan sebuah pita yang diterimanya saat berada di ibu kota Cape Town sebagai bentuk prihatin atas apa yang menimpa Mrwetyana. Sumber juga menceritakan, Meghan menulis pesan duka dalam kunjungannya ke makam tersebut.