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ZIMBABWE SOAPSTONE BIRD REPATRIATION

In 2025, the Republic of Zimbabwe formally requested the return of the historic Zimbabwe Soapstone Bird from the Groote Schuur Estate Collection in South Africa. The artefact, removed from Great Zimbabwe during the late 19th century, is regarded as one of Zimbabwe’s most significant national heritage symbols.

Following diplomatic engagements, technical consultations, and legal assessments involving the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), Iziko Museums, DIRCO, and the Presidency, South Africa approved the temporary relocation of the Soapstone Bird pending legislative processes.

On 14 April 2026, the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Gayton McKenzie, officially handed over the Zimbabwe Soapstone Bird and ancestral human remains during a ceremony at the Iziko South African Museum. The following day, the artefacts were received at the State House in Harare by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, bringing the Soapstone Bird home after 137 years.

This historic repatriation represents a major milestone in international heritage restitution, reinforcing South Africa’s commitment to ethical heritage management, cultural diplomacy, and strengthening regional cooperation in the preservation and restoration of shared African heritage.