A petition has appeared in South Africa demanding the return of a diamond from the Star of Africa diamond, which was mined on its territory and now adorns the scepter of the King of Great Britain. It has been reported New York Post.
“The diamond must go back to South Africa. “It should be a sign of our pride, heritage and culture,” said Johannesburg-based activist Motusi Kamanga, a lawyer who launched a petition calling for the jewelery to be returned.
The petition has already collected 8,000 signatures.
“I think the African people are beginning to understand that, in principle, decolonization is not only an opportunity for people to achieve certain freedoms, but also the return of those expropriated from us,” says Motusi Kamanga.
The African Star apple, or Cullinan, is considered the largest apple in the world. It was mined in South Africa in 1905, with a total weight of 3106.75 carats. Two years later, the government of the Transvaal Colony, then in the hands of the British Empire, replaced it with King VII. He presented it to Edward.
As the diamond was cut, it was divided into two large, seven large and 96 small diamonds, the main ones being Cullinan-I and Cullinan-II.
The first, weighing 530.2 carats, adorns the king’s scepter, while the second, weighing 317.4 carats, is included in the crown of the British Empire. Both treasures are kept in the Tower, and III. It will be used at Charles’ coronation.
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