Preserving a nation’s cultural heritage is crucial as it is an integral part of its history. Rooted in the historical and factual chronicle that shapes a nation’s identity, cultural heritage is a lasting mark that future generations will remember and acknowledge. However, preservation of cultural heritage faces significant threats, particularly from the illicit theft of stolen artifacts, which has been happening for a while. Across the globe, countless cases of illicit theft have been identified and reported globally, highlighting the impact of colonial legacies (AfricaNews, 2024). A poignant example of this struggle is the Star of Africa, a diamond that has become a central topic in discussions about colonial legacies and the illegal appropriation of cultural heritage.
Citizens of Africa have been vocally advocating for the return and restitution of their cultural heritage, especially in light of the attention surrounding the coronation of King Charles III in 2022. A significant focus of this request is the Star of Africa, which was set atop the royal scepter that King Charles III held during his coronation (Said, 2023). Historically, the Star of Africa—also known as the Cullinan Diamond—was discovered near Pretoria in 1905 by South African diamond magnate Thomas Cullinan. Weighing a massive 530 carats, it is the world’s largest clear-cut diamond (Ray, 2023). Two years after its discovery, it was presented to the British monarchy as a birthday gift for King Edward VII in 1907 (Newman & Newman, 2024).
Despite being categorized as a gift, South Africa has formally demanded its return, viewing the situation as an act of colonial theft. This perspective arises from a closer examination of the events surrounding the gifting process, during which the Transvaal government purchased and handed over the diamond to King Edward VII without the consent of the Indigenous population of South Africa. It is believed to have occurred under duress, resulting in an illegitimate act in the modern era. This situation resulted in concerns regarding the legitimacy of “illegal” transactions and how the implications have been affecting the preservation of cultural heritages in the world (FP Explainers 2023). Thus, we must ask ourselves: is it fair for a nation to lose its cultural heritage that defines the background history of the nation?
The debate surrounding the Star of Africa centering on whether the diamond was stolen or gifted has become a never-ending argument as there is a major diverse perspective between both nations. There exists no precise regulation regarding the matter that can completely determine which nation is justified in this case, particularly with the positions of both countries being supported by compelling arguments from stakeholders. Based on Newman & Newman (2024), the diamond was a gift point as a formal presentation as a sign of recognition and goodwill. The gesture was believed to be a diplomatic act between South Africa and the British Empire.
On the other hand, critics argue that the diamond’s acquisition reflects a controversial broader colonial exploitation and that any transaction made under colonial rule lacks legitimacy. A political observer from the University of South Africa, Everisto Benyera, rejected the narrative that the diamond was given as a gift. “For us, the Transvaal government and the Union of South Africa and the mining syndicate that were carried out together are illegal,” he said as quoted by CNN (Isa, 2022). This resulted in the case being considered an act of colonial legacies supported by the certainty of the British Empire as one of the most successful colonizers (Blakemore, 2024).
The case of the Star of Africa shows the lack of diplomacy between the two nations. The UK’s reluctance and ignorance to acknowledge the complexities regarding the ownership of the diamond exemplifies how nations with former colonial powers often avoid confronting their past. The non-response to Africans’ request shows a missed opportunity for a diplomatic reconciliation. In this modern era, global cooperation is a pivotal key in addressing challenges. Addressing this case would be seen as a massive opportunity for both nations to acknowledge the historical wrongs while collaboratively starting an action to respect the cultural heritage.
A notable example of this case is the return of the Benin Bronzes, which originated from Nigeria. The artifacts were looted by British soldiers in 1987 during an expedition and have been categorized as a form of colonial theft. Demands for return have been requested since then. The request finally saw light when Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock acknowledged the request and the legitimacy of the claims, stating that the return would heal all the wounds of the past, and it was officially returned by November 2022 (Ahn, 2022). This positive development presents a mutually beneficial solution for both nations involved that is likely to enhance the bilateral relations between the two countries. This form of solution contrasts sharply with the situation faced by South Africa, which has been seeking the return and restitution of its cultural heritage.
It is highly improbable for multi-track diplomacy to be revitalized to foster understanding, reconciliation, and cooperative engagement between Africa and the UK over significant cultural artifacts that are believed to be stolen. The first two tracks of diplomacy can be the light of the resolvement of this case, as it has been proven through the effectiveness of the Benin Bronzes’s return. The first track focuses on diplomatic efforts conducted by governmental representatives—as an example, the Joint Declaration on the Return of Benin Bronzes and Bilateral Museum Cooperation that successfully outlines the commitment to return the artifacts to Nigeria and is possible to be implemented in the case of Star of Africa (Baerbock et al., 2022).
The second track will also be applicable as an intervention from external parties is necessary in addressing this complex case. The interactions will focus on building understanding between conflicting parties, and this implementation, combined with the first track, possibly resulted in a similar outcome as the Benin Bronze case. Combining the first two tracks exemplifies a multifaceted approach that addresses historical grievances and achieves a shared goal from cooperation (Baerbock et al., 2022). By leveraging this track, the case of the Star of Africa will follow the track of the Benin Bronze, and both nations can foster conducive bilateral relations for reconciliation.
The major difference between the perspectives of South Africa and the UK serves as a reminder of the unresolved matter based on colonial history that encapsulates colonialism and ownership debates. The Star of Africa highlights the differences in narrative. The lack of diplomatic engagement reflects the relationship between both nations that need a reconciliation and implementation of multi-track diplomacy is possible to be a solution. To achieve it, both nations are required to prioritize dialogues over defensiveness through the implementation of multi-track diplomacy. By fostering a compact engagement and mutual respect, both nations will achieve peace and an equitable future regarding cultural artifacts in the world is visible to seek.