King Charles III’s coronation has reignited calls for Britain to give South Africa the biggest diamond in the world, which is the centrepiece of the sceptre he will hold on Saturday.
The 530-carat First Star of Africa was discovered in 1905, while South Africa was governed by the British, and was given to King Edward VII by the colonial authorities for his 66th birthday two years later.
“All the mineral wealth in South Africa belongs to the people of South Africa, not the British palace,” lawmaker Vuyolwethu Zungula, who heads the African Transformation Movement (ATM), a small opposition party, told journalists on Thursday.
“People had to die, blood had to be spilt for those diamonds to find their way to Britain.”
The 3,126-carat Cullinan Diamond, the largest diamond ever discovered and weighing 621 kg in its rough form, was used to create the First Star of Africa.
It was delivered to Amsterdam, where it was carved into two significant stones, seven diamonds, and 96 brilliants.
The second-largest stone is put in front of the Imperial State Crown, and many others were donated to other royal members of the family.
There have been continuous requests for the diamonds’ repatriation ever since apartheid came to an end, and these cries have gotten stronger around sensitive occasions like Queen Elizabeth II’s first visit to the nation in 48 years in 1995.
The restoration of African artefacts from former colonial countries like Britain, France, Germany, and Belgium has gained momentum internationally.
“We want #StarOfAfrica…together with all the rest of the diamonds, gold and other minerals, that the #BritishEmpire stole from SA back, without compensation,” firebrand politician Carl Niehaus tweeted after Queen Elizabeth’s death in September.
“One does not pay for stolen goods!”
An online petition urging King Charles to return the Cullinan diamonds has been signed by more than 8,000 people.
“As South Africans, we would like our diamonds returned and displayed in a South African museum,” the petition reads.