As a result of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, there has been an increase in the number of people in South Africa calling for the royal family to hand up the world’s largest known clear-cut diamond.
The diamond was discovered in South Africa in 1905, and it was given to the British royal family as a gift by the colonial authority of South Africa.
It is also known by the name Cullinan I and the Great Star of Africa.
It is currently perched atop a sceptre fit for a queen.
Following the passing of the Queen, there have been numerous requests made for the repatriation of African diamonds, as well as the return of the Great Star of Africa.
Many people in South Africa feel that the United Kingdom should not have been allowed to purchase the jewels because it was done in an improper manner.
A discussion on colonialism and its impact on the Queen’s legacy was started after her death.
There has been discussion in the South African media on both who should possess the gem and who should pay reparations.
An activist named Thanduxolo Sabelo informed the local media that “The Cullinan Diamond must be returned to South Africa with immediate effect.” He also stated that “the minerals of our country and other countries continue to profit Britain at the expense of our people.”
More than 6000 people have indicated their support by signing a petition calling for the Great Star of Africa to be brought home and put on display at a museum in South Africa.
According to the Royal Collection Trust, which is in charge of the royal collection of the British royal family and oversees the Cullinan diamond, King Edward VII was given the diamond in 1907, two years after its discovery in a private mine in South Africa’s old Transvaal province. The mine was located in the Northern Cape Province.
The inscription continued, “In 1908, it was shipped out to Asscher of Amsterdam to be cleft.”
In its natural state, the Royal Asscher estimates that the natural weight of the original diamond was around 3,106 carats.
It was described as being “around the size of a human heart.”
The Royal Asscher asserts that the gem was purchased by South Africa’s Transvaal administration and given to King Edward VII as a birthday present, which lends credence to the idea that the British royal owns it.
A professor of African politics at the University of South Africa named Everisto Benyera argues that this story is false.
According to what he said on CNN, “Colonial transactions are illegal and immoral.”