News
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall meet the Zulu King in South Africa
4th November 2011
The Prince of Wales caught a glimpse of an endangered rhinoceros in South Africa today.
On the third day of The Prince and The Duchess of Cornwall's tour to South Africa, they visited a wildlife reserve in the KwaZulu Natal province of the country, to see how black rhino are protected from the threat of poachers.
The Prince is a champion of conservation and preserving wildlife, and became President of WWF UK in September 2011.
His Royal Highness held binoculars in any case of seeing the animals during the game drive.
Phinda is home to 30 black rhinos which roam the huge 24,000- hectare park, and so far none of the endangered beasts have been killed by poachers.
The WWF's Black Rhino Expansion Project aims to increase rhino numbers and help local communities benefit from tourism.
Their Royal Highnesses were accompanied on the drive by Dr Zweli Mkhize, State Premier of KwaZulu Natal, and Prince Mbonisi Zulu, the brother of King Zwelethini.
The Prince spotted the camera-shy rhinoceros when the couple were driving back from a homestead where they were told about the conservation project.
Earlier, Their Royal Highnesses were welcomed to Ulundi, the former capital of Zululand, with a traditional dance by around 70 Zulu warriors dressed in animal skins, holding spears and shields.
Some of the bare-chested dancers, who wore headdresses and feathers, put a modern twist on their ancestral garments, choosing to wear trainers to complement their costumes.
The Prince and The Duchess paid a visit to the palace of the King of the Zulus, King Zwelethini, for an informal meeting and lunch.
During the discussion in a reception room, the king and Charles spoke about local communities and the endangered black rhino.
After the brief meeting the Zulu warriors sang, chanted and danced as they followed the royal party along a red carpet into a large marquee for speeches and lunch.
The Zulu King made a speech to welcome him, and spoke of the bond between the British and the Zulus.
He said: "It's no secret that our great nations, of Zulus and the British, share a very rich history, that is both good and not so good."
The King then said they were standing on the ground of the royal homestead that was burned down in the final battle of the Anglo Zulu War on July 4 1879.
He added: "Today it is my heartfelt belief that we meet as brothers and sisters, charting a new chapter in relations between our two nations."
Further information:
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