King Philippe and Queen Mathilde Tour South Africa

by
1 min read
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde in Cape Town

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium recently concluded their first royal tour of South Africa with a visit to Cape Town.

Tour Highlights

During their tour, the royal couple visited various locations, including:

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime
  • Afrigen Biologics, where they learned about Africa’s first COVID-19 vaccine developed in collaboration with two Belgian companies, Univercells and eTheRNA.
  • The University of the Western Cape and the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa.
  • Philippi Village to learn about the area’s diverse group of entrepreneurs and small traders and its sports, education, and cultural facilities.
  • The V&A Waterfront for lunch at Den Anker and a walk along the Swing Bridge.
  • Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, where they strolled along the renowned Boomslang Canopy Trail.

Visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden, one of the most beautiful in the world, is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is managed by the South African National Institute for Biodiversity, which receives support from the Flemish government. The Belgian Royal Palace’s Instagram page shared photos from the Kirstenbosch visit and a message praising the botanical garden’s essential role in preserving South African flora.

Importance of the Visit

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde’s tour was a valuable opportunity for the Belgian royals to explore South Africa’s diverse culture, natural beauty, and scientific advancements. Their visit to Afrigen Biologics underscored the importance of global collaboration in the fight against COVID-19. At the same time, their trip to Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden highlighted the need to preserve South Africa’s unique flora.

Final Thoughts

Their visit to Philippi Village showcased the vibrancy of South Africa’s entrepreneurship and culture, while the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa highlighted the country’s thriving art scene.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde’s royal tour of South Africa was a testament to the country’s rich history, diverse culture, and natural beauty.

Zola Naidoo is a Cape Town journalist who chronicles the city’s shifting politics and the lived realities behind the headlines. A weekend trail-runner on Table Mountain’s lower contour paths, she still swops stories in her grandmother’s District Six kitchen every Sunday, grounding her reporting in the cadences of the Cape.

View all

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Imizamo Yethu fire
Previous Story

Fire in Imizamo Yethu Destroys Homes and Displaces Residents

Kruger National Park
Next Story

Kruger National Park Named One of the World’s Top 20 Best Nature Destinations by Tripadvisor

Latest from Blog

South Africa Ocean

Between Concrete and Current – Four Inland Hearts Meet the Indian Ocean

This article tells a beautiful story of four South Africans from inland places who see the Indian Ocean for the very first time. For many, the sea is just a picture, far away and hard to reach. But when these brave people finally touch the salty water, it changes them deeply. They feel the ocean’s power, taste its salt, and understand that this huge, blue world is now a part of their own story, breaking down old ideas about who can connect with the sea.

Medical Prodigy South African Education

A Teenager in a White Coat: How One Student Shattered South Africa’s Medical Age Record

{“summary”: “Imagine a whiz kid, David Obagbuwa, who started high school at 11 and became a doctor at just 21! He shattered South Africa’s medical age record, proving that a sharp mind and hard work can achieve amazing things. From classrooms in KwaZuluNatal to intense medical studies, David tackled every challenge. Even during lockdown, he quickly mastered his courses. Now, he’s ready to help people, showing that big dreams can come true, no matter how young you are.”}

Cape Epic Disability Inclusion

Martian Dust, Carbon ankles & a R4-million Promise: Inside the 2026 Cape Epic’s Mobility Rebellion

Get ready for the 2026 Cape Epic, but this isn’t just any bike race! Three special teams, using amazing robotic legs and carbon ankles, will tackle the tough trails. They’re racing to raise R4 million to buy 200 new prosthetic limbs, 150 wheelchairs, and 50 sports blades for people in South Africa who need them. Every pedal stroke helps someone gain freedom and move again, showing that movement is for everyone, not just a few. This epic journey turns sweat into hope, changing lives one kilometer at a time.

Cape Town Extortion

Cape Town’s Shadow State: How Extortion Became the New Township Taxman

Cape Town has a big problem: bad guys are shaking down businesses and projects for money. They act like “taxmen” in townships, making building costs shoot up and forcing small shops to close. These criminals cause fear, stop important work, and even kill people who get in their way. It’s like a shadow government taking over, making life hard for everyone and costing the city tons of money. People are scared, and it’s unclear how this dangerous situation will ever truly end.