The Associated Press
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa Ä Princess Anne was greeted by singing schoolchildren Tuesday during the first official visit to South Africa by a British royal in 47 years.
The princess later met with President Nelson Mandela at his residence. Describing her as a person who was "doing a remarkable job throughout the world," Mandela said they discussed the plight of South African children.
"We have the problem of the so-called street children, abused children and disabled children and the lack of facilities for them," Mandela said.
Princess Anne, only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, earlier went to the black township of Alexandra where she was welcomed by children singing "Mokoti ke di Nako," a traditional wedding song used to welcome visitors and newlyweds.
She toured a day care center partly supported by the Save the Children's Fund, of which she is president, and a Peace Corps resource center created to help reduce violence.
Alexandra, a poor black township bordering the wealthy suburbs of Johannesburg, has been targeted for more than $285,000 in British aid. In all, South Africa is to receive more than $150 million from Britain over the next three years.
The last official British royal visit to South Africa was in 1947 by King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and their daughters Princess Elizabeth, now Queen Elizabeth II, and Princess Margaret.
Prince Philip attended Mandela's inauguration in May, but that trip was not considered an official royal visit.
Princess Anne is scheduled to visit Cape Town and Durban before she departs Saturday for Mozambique.