Cultural Restitution

December 7, 2019
SOUTH AFRICA
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South Africa

Updated February 2025


Below is a schedule of successful restitutions made by South Africa, together with other South African restitution news, to a country or community of source.  Entries are updated regularly.



February 2025

South Africa's authorities aim to repatriate human remains in the collections of the Horniman and Hunterian Museums, as well as in other European and US collections

Sundayworld.co.za


November 2024

28 Asante gold ornaments and regalia from the collection of AngloGold Ashanti in South Africa are returned to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II

modernghana.com


March 2020

Following the return of most of Zimbabwe's prized soapstone birds, looted by colonialists from Great Zimbabwe during the 19th century, only one remains - in the house of Cecil Rhodes in South Africa

ArtDaily


1981

One year after Zimbabwe's independence, the South African government returns four carved bird sculptures, looted from the ruined city of Great Zimbabwe

IOL News




More News

Government will review guidance on human remains to align with museum best practice

By Lewis Mcnaught • September 22, 2026
Campaigners for ending the public display and sale of human remains will be encouraged by this month’s news from the DCMS that it plans to review its Guidance for the Care of Human Remains in Museums

Andy Burnham makes U-turn on the Parthenon Marbles

By Lewis Mcnaught • September 7, 2026
After assuming the UK’s highest office, another British prime minister has changed his mind about returning the Parthenon Marbles to Greece. Was this predictable?

United States urged not to renew a cultural property agreement with Egypt

By Lewis Mcnaught • May 31, 2026
The USA is being urged not to renew a five-year cultural property agreement with the Arab Republic of Egypt, on the grounds Egypt has prioritised ‘prestige megaprojects’ and ‘political spectacle’ over site protection and collections management