Edward's visit to South Africa 

The final country HRH the Earl of Wessex visit on his whirlwind tour of Africa was South Africa.  Edward handed out President Awards at three venues - in order to cover all the recipients around the country.

The achievements of the International Award Association is perhaps best evident in its progress in South Africa.  The award is called The President's Award for Youth Empowerment and aims to instill responsibility in young adults.  Former President Nelson Mandela is the patron of the award.  Since the inception of the President's Award in 1994, 20 000 youngsters had enrolled.

The first day in South Africa was spent at the Kwandwe game reserve near Grahamstown, viewing game.  The reserve is possibly a favourite of the Earl and Countess of Wessex who have visited the reserve on other occasions.

The Earl of Wessex began his tour of South Africa in Grahamstown, where the President Award is based.   The first event was held at the Diosesan School for Girls.  90 participants from the eastern, western and Northern Cape provinces of South Africa.  44 of the award winners were young offenders from youth centers.  Prince Edward congratulated the winners and noted that it was refreshing to hear positive news from the youth of South Africa.  The award winners also met Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour, his deputy Cheryl Gillwald, Eastern Cape Premier Nosimo Balindlela and former correctional services minister Ben Skosana.

It gives young people, whether able-bodied or with special needs, an opportunity to experience challenge and acquire new friends.  It is a balanced, non-competitive programme [involving] leisure-time activity which encourages personal growth, self-reliance, perseverance, responsibility and service to the community.- 

Trish Wade, a spokesman for the President's Award.

Many award participants shared their experiences within the award with the prince.  Franklin de Wee (18) told the prince that he had fallen in with the wrong crowd and committed housebreakings and theft.  In prison, de Wee expressed his luck at having stumbled upon the programme which turned him into someone who can tolerate others.  He now describes himself as a person that "can forgive, a person who can understand others and show them the right way.  I can also warn young people about crime and encourage them not to walk in my footsteps," 

Prince Edward also used his visit in Grahamstown to visit Eluxolweni Shelter, a home for 48 abandoned, physically and sexually abused children.  After talking to the children and minders, Edward planted an avocado tree and unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit.

That evening Edward was the guest of honour at a private dinner.  Edward and President Awards were thanked by the Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour, Barloworld chairman Warren Clewlow, Eastern Cape Premier Nosimo Balindlela and Makana mayor Vumile Lwana.

Prince Edward then moved on to St Stithians College, where he was welcomed by with marimba and drums.  The prince arrived at the school with his bodyguards in a green Jaguar and was then taken around the grounds by Martin Scholtz, the award's chief executive, to witness pupils taking part in an adventure course.  The prince later presented 61 youngsters with the gold award, which takes three years to complete. 

Award recipient, Thabiso Mange, an inmate at Leeuwkop Prison, told how he ended up in jail while in Standard 8.  He described that coming from a poor family and with family instability had led him to a life of robbery.  He said the best thing to happen to him was his enrolment for the President's Award.  Mange did a therapeutic skills course, within the award, which enabled him to discover things about himself and to control his anger better.  He felt the programme had made him a better communicator and developed self respect.  He said the best part of the programme was the expeditions, which gave him the chance to spend time out of prison on hikes.

Another recipient, Jenna Hope Mason, said the President's Award had shown her a different South Africa.  She noted that many people stayed in their protected environments and failed to get a true understanding of South African life.  Mason said that "through this project and having visited Soweto twice, I discovered how difficult and frightening street life is or can be," she said.  For her residential porject, she built a shack out of boxes.  

Prince Edward ended his tour of South Africa at Zakhele primary school in Mamelodi East of Pretoria.  The visit makes the hand over of  R 100 000 to the school by the British Council..  To commemorate his visit Prince Edward helped the children plant a tree on the grounds. The school benefits from the Mamelodi Trust, established after Stephen Beacon, a British citizen, visited the school eight years ago. Zandile Ntshangase, the council spokesperson, says the donation will be used to upgrade the school's laboratory, media and computer centres.