South Africans Demand Britain Return The Allegedly Stolen Diamond From Queen Elizabeth II’s Scepter

The Great Star of Africa or Cullinan I diamond in Queen Elizabeth II’s scepter carries several names. It was discovered in 1905, and the colonial rulers of South Africa gave it to the royal family.

In South Africa, there is a rising public controversy about whether the British royal family should hand back Queen Elizabeth II’s scepter, which contains the biggest known clear-cut diamond in the world, following her passing.

The Great Star of Africa, often called Cullinan I, is the 530.2-carat diamond in the scepter. It was discovered in 1905, and the colonial rulers of South Africa gave it to the royal family. The country has long been clamoring for the return of this diamond.

But the Queen’s passing has opened up a new discussion about the royal family’s legacy and led to demands for reparations from Britain for decades of cruel colonial oppression.

Over 7,000 people have signed a petition that South African activists have begun calling for the return of the diamond and placement in the country’s museum.

Actor Thanduxolo Sabelo told the Sunday Times, “The Cullinan Diamond must be returned to South Africa immediately.” “Britain continues to profit from the minerals of our nation and other countries at the expense of our people.”

“Due to the injustice and damage created by her and her forebears,” he said, “we remain in deep, terrible poverty, with widespread unemployment and growing levels of criminality.”

Vuyo Zungula, a politician with the African Transformation Movement (ATM), suggested that South Africa should resign from the Commonwealth and seek compensation “for all the harm done by Britain” as well as the return of all the gold and diamonds that the British government has taken.

We want #StarOfAfrica, the largest diamond cut from the original #CullinanDiamond, together with ALL the rest of the diamonds, gold & other minerals, that the #BritishEmpire stole from SA back, WITHOUT COMPENSATION. One does not pay for stolen goods! https://t.co/uTzRNhkoHR pic.twitter.com/4NATvKB4IP

— Carl Niehaus (@niehaus_carl) September 18, 2022

South Africa must:
1. Leave the Commonwealth.
2. Demand reparations for all the harm done by Britain.
3. Draft a new Constitution based on the will of the People of South Africa not the British Magna Carta.
4. Demand the return of all the gold, diamonds stolen by Britain.

— Vuyo Zungula MP 🇿🇦 (@ZungulaVuyo) September 8, 2022

The Cullinan diamond is only one of several priceless items from former colonies that are now housed in British museums or kingdoms. One of the biggest and most famous gems in the world, the Kohinoor diamond from India, was one of them and will now belong to Camilla, Queen Consort of King Charles III.

It was formerly put in the crown of the Queen Mother. India and the UK have long been at odds over the Kohinoor because some Indians think the diamond, discovered in India in the 14th century, was taken during the colonial era.

The Queen passed away on September 8 at the age of 96, ending more than 70 years as monarch, as previously reported by Actbiggy. She was buried on Monday, September 19, in England at Windsor Castle after being buried at Westminster Abbey.