Prince William wrapped up his visit to Cape Town with a mixed reception, as he encountered a small group of protesters, though they were far outnumbered by excited well-wishers, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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The focus of his visit to Kalk Bay Harbour was to highlight the work of Abalobi, a social enterprise and 2023 Earthshot finalist that works to support small-scale fishing communities while advocating for sustainable fishing practices.
As the prince walked along the harbour front, a few local fishermen and women could be heard voicing their frustrations. Serge Raemaeker, co-owner of Abalobi, acknowledged their concerns, suggesting that the group’s sense of exclusion was understandable. He explained that the ongoing struggles of South Africa’s fishing communities, especially in the wake of apartheid, had led to a disconnect between the enterprise and some of the local fishermen.
‘There’s no real fishing community here anymore,’ Raemaeker said. ‘While some fishers can have their boats here, many live far away. It’s possible this fisherman felt left out, and I completely understand that. We’re working to engage more with communities along the coastline.’
Despite the small protests, the prince’s visit was largely met with enthusiasm. Many in the crowd were thrilled to meet him, with some shaking his hand and others attempting to hug him. Kate Wardle, one of the attendees, presented William with beaded keyrings that her mother had crafted for him, the Princess of Wales and their children. Wardle shared her excitement, saying, ‘I wasn’t sure if he would accept them, so I was really happy when he did. He said, “Oh, that’s good, never go home empty-handed.” It was such an exciting moment!’
Earlier in the day, Prince William arrived at the harbour via lifeboat after meeting with the crew members of the emergency sea response teams stationed nearby. Asked if he had any prior experience in search and rescue operations, William, who trained as a helicopter pilot for the RAF’s search and rescue service, responded, ‘I miss this life. Any chance to get back, I’ll take it.’
William had previously worked as a pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance, and it was clear he felt at home among the rescue teams during his visit.
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Picture: WPA Pool / Getty Images
