South Africa has returned ancestral human remains and a sacred national artefact to Zimbabwe, marking a meaningful step in the global movement to repatriate items taken during the colonial era.
The handover took place on Tuesday at a museum in Cape Town, where eight coffins draped in the Zimbabwean flag stood in solemn tribute. The remains, taken over a century ago, had been removed under colonial rule as so-called “scientific specimens.”
Among the remains is believed to be a tribal chief whose skull and jaw were collected in 1910, as well as another individual reportedly killed following accusations of witchcraft. Authorities emphasized that all the remains were taken from their graves without consent.
South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, described the restitution as part of a broader moral responsibility. He stressed that countries must act ethically by returning what does not belong to them, especially while calling on others to do the same.
Zimbabwean officials described the return as deeply symbolic, linking it to identity, dignity, and historical justice. Paul Bayethe Damasane, Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, highlighted the significance of the moment, calling it a restoration of what had long been taken and a reaffirmation of cultural identity. He also noted the strong relationship between Zimbabwe’s leadership and South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa.
In addition to the remains, South Africa returned a centuries-old soapstone carving of the Zimbabwe Bird — a powerful national symbol originally taken from the ruins of Great Zimbabwe in the late 19th century. The artefact had been removed by a British explorer and later sold to Cecil John Rhodes, returning nearly 140 years after its removal.
The Zimbabwe Bird remains a central national emblem, appearing on the country’s flag and currency. The original carvings date back to the 11th to 13th centuries, when Great Zimbabwe was a thriving center of a powerful pre-colonial civilization.
Officials say the remains will be reburied with dignity in Zimbabwe, bringing closure to a painful chapter that has endured for more than a century.
About the Author
