South African urges royal family to return 500 carat 'Great Star of Africa' diamond
The diamond, known as the "Great Star of Africa" or "Cullinan I", was mined in South Africa in 1905.
The Cullinan I diamond was presented to King Edward VII (at that time the British monarch - ed.) in 1907, two years after the diamond was found in a private mine in South Africa in the Transvaal province. Now it is installed on the royal scepter, which belongs to the British crown. It is reported by CNN.
Demands for the return of the "Great Star of Africa" and other diamonds, as well as calls for repatriation, intensified in South Africa after the Queen's death. Many locals consider the purchase of jewelry by the UK illegitimate.
South African activist Thanduksolo Sabelo said the diamond should be returned to South Africa immediately.
The minerals of our and other countries continue to benefit the UK at the expense of our people, he said.
Member of the South African Parliament Vujolwetu Zungula called on the South African government to demand reparation for all damages and the return of all gold and diamonds.
More than 6,000 people have signed a petition asking for the Great Star of Africa to be returned and displayed in a South African museum.
The national representative of the South African opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters, Lee-Ann Metis, accused Britain of colonial policy, appropriation of African mines owned by indigenous people.
We call for repatriation for all colonial thefts, including the theft of the "Great Star of Africa," she said.
Mathis added that they are not calling for the return of the diamond as that would mean there was indeed an agreement whereby the UK royal family "borrowed the diamond".
According to the Royal Collection Trust, which looks after the British royal family's royal collection, the Cullinan diamond was cut into nine large stones and 96 smaller pieces. King Edward VII named the largest stone the Great Star of Africa, and the second largest cut stone was named the Lesser Star of Africa.