Prince’s touching start to African tour

Published Nov 27, 2015

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Rebecca English

 

ARMS round each other and smiling broadly, Prince Harry and a teenage orphan greet each other as old friends.

And that is exactly what they are – for the 15-year-old first met the royal a decade ago when Harry was visiting Africa on his gap year.

Mutsu Potsane was just four years old and living in a Lesotho orphanage when he encountered the prince, who bought him a pair of blue wellington boots.

The exchange sparked a longstanding friendship, and the pair have met and corresponded regularly ever since.

Mutsu joined Harry on Thusday as the 31-year-old opened a centre for children affected by HIV/Aids, after being inspired by Princess Diana’s work to build his charity Sentebale in Lesotho.

In an emotional speech at the Mamohato Children’s Centre, Harry talked of how he fell in love with the impoverished kingdom’s young people when he visited after finishing his studies at Eton.

He said: ‘Eleven years ago I made my first visit to Lesotho... I was struck by the many children I met whose lives had been shattered by the loss of a parent and in some cases both.

“Although our situations couldn’t have been more different, I felt an overwhelming connection to many I met.

“We shared a similar feeling of loss, having a loved one, in my case a parent, snatched away so suddenly. I, like them, knew there would always be a gaping hole that could never be filled.”

Following his experiences, he went on to set up Sentebale with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho.

The children’s centre, built by the charity at a cost of £2 million, with provide 1 500 young people each year with residential camps where they can learn to manage their condition. Lesotho has the second highest rate of HIV in the world. Speaking after their meeting, Mutsu said: “I feel very happy, very excited. I’m very comfortable around Harry.

“We click. He said to me I’ve grown up.”

Harry, meanwhile, was clearly enjoying seeing the fruits of his labour – dancing and chatting with many of the children the centre will help, as well as taking part in a photography workshop.

 

 

Daily Mail

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