South African activists have launched a massive campaign across platforms to restore the Cullinan diamond, which Britain is accused of taking during its colonization of South Africa (1806-1961), and will be worn by King Charles III at his coronation ceremony on Saturday at Buckingham Palace in London.
A large number of history-conscious activists, academics and lawyers took part in the campaign with the aim of restoring the diamond that Britain holds and uses in its celebrations.
As part of their campaign, the activists launched a petition that gathered thousands of signatures, reading: "As South Africans, we would like our diamond to return to us and be displayed in a museum in South Africa."
We want our diamond back! https://t.co/OvyLpN9PnT
— Joseph Ochieno (@Ochieno) May 5, 2023
The tweeters stressed that the diamond present at the coronation of the king is a reminder to Britain of the years of occupation and persecution in Africa, in which control and looting of resources was one of its main pillars.
The campaign received wide attention across the platforms, with many encouraging activists' efforts, expressing support for the restoration of all looted during that period.
History writer James Haley praised the campaign, saluting those in charge of it.
The demands for the return of the diamond sparked similar talk about the return of many looted resources, including huge quantities of gold and important minerals, acquired by colonial powers during their occupation of African countries.
Thank you,
The return of the Diamond is a pertinent issue that transcends heritage, history, oppression and can only be resolved through achieving social justice & reparations.
Here is the link to the Petition below : 👇 https://t.co/s1BUftjkFg#ReturnCullinan💎 ✊🏾 https://t.co/TiBKPiWkD4
— iKing Mothusi Kamanga (@KingTsebela) May 5, 2023
MOST South Africans want all their resources back, and not just the big shiny ones but all the sculptures and other artefacts https://t.co/qj2TlXmElA
— Uncle Sands ♌️🦁 (@SandinhoUno) May 4, 2023
The history of the largest diamond in the world
According to the Museum of Jewelry in Cape Town, South Africa, Frederick Wells discovered the diamond on January 26, 1905, while walking in the Premier mine in South Africa, and weighed 3106,<> carats, the largest diamond in the world.
The diamond was then named "Cullinan" after the owner of the mine, Sir Thomas Cullinan, and many experts believe that the diamond was only part of a larger stone that has yet to be discovered.
The diamonds were insured for R17 million (South Africa's currency) before being carefully transported to England, and Sigismund Newman, the deputy prime minister in London, kept the large diamond for safe place.
After the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) between the British Empire and the Boer Republics (Republic of South Africa (Transvaal) and the Free Orange Republic), the Transvaal Government (present-day South Africa) bought diamonds for R2.4 million and Cullinan was presented to King Edward VII of the United Kingdom as a goodwill gift on his 66th birthday in 1907.
Later, the diamond was placed in the ribbon of the crown of Queen Mary Stuart (Mary I) of Scotland (1542), and in 1567 it was placed in the brooch of the necklace of Queen Elizabeth II (1937-1952).