Singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka praised Britain's Prince Harry for his campaign to build the first permanent centre in Lesotho for children living with HIV.

"What he's doing is gorgeous. I am a champion of children's issues but, when I see other people doing things on such a huge scale, I am humbled," she said.

"Prince Harry danced with those kids, he played with them, he talked to them, he laughed with them. He really is humane."

Chaka Chaka recounted a conversation she had with the prince. "I told him that I met his grandmother twice in Alexandra township. The queen said: 'Thank you for your beautiful song this morning.'"

The royal hopes to raise £2.5-million (R34-million) for the charity he launched at Summer Place in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, on Wednesday night. A trip to London, VIP polo tickets, jewellery and other items were auctioned during the evening.