South Africans demand that the United Kingdom return the diamonds set in the Crown Jewels

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Some South Africans are calling on Britain to return the world’s largest diamond, known as the Star of Africa, which is contained in the royal scepter that King Charles III will wear at his coronation on Saturday.

The diamond, which weighs 530 carats, was discovered in South Africa in 1905 and presented to the British monarchy by the colonial government of the country, which was then under British rule.

Now amid a global conversation about returning art and artefacts that were looted during the colonial era, some South Africans are calling for the diamonds to be returned.

“The diamond must come to South Africa. It must be a sign of our pride, our heritage and our culture,” said Muthusi Kamanga, a lawyer and activist in Johannesburg who promoted an online petition, which has amassed some 8,000 signatures. , to return the diamond.

“I think in general the African people are beginning to realize that decolonization is not only about allowing people certain freedoms, but also taking back what was taken away from us.”

Officially known as the Cullinan I, the diamond in the scepter was cut from the Cullinan Diamond, a 3,100-carat stone quarried near Pretoria.

A smaller diamond was cut from the same stone, known as the Cullinan II, in the Imperial State Crown worn by British royalty on ceremonial occasions. Along with the sceptre, it is kept with the other Crown Jewels in the Tower of London.

A replica of the entire Cullinan diamond, which is about the size of a man’s fist, is on display at the Cape Town Diamond Museum.

“I think she should be brought back home because they eventually took her from us while they were persecuting us,” said Mohammed Abdullah, a resident of Johannesburg.

Others said they didn’t feel strongly about it.

“I don’t think it matters anymore. Things have changed and we are evolving,” said local resident Diketsing Nzadzapa.

“What mattered to them in the old days about supremacy… doesn’t matter to us anymore.”

Additional reporting by Sisipho Sekoia, Kathryn Schenck and Thando Hlov; Writing by Nelly Beaton; ; Editing by Sharon Singleton

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