South Africa returns stolen human remains, Zimbabwe bird

South Africa's Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, will on Tuesday afternoon preside over a handover ceremony marking the repatriation of the last Zimbabwe Soapstone Bird, known as Chapungu, along with ancestral remains, to Zimbabwe.

The historic return is understood to be taking place under the instruction of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and is being widely viewed as a significant step toward restoring African cultural dignity and historical justice ahead of Zimbabwe's Independence Day commemorations.

The Zimbabwe Bird, carved from a single block of stone at Great Zimbabwe between the 11th and 15th centuries, is one of the most powerful symbols of Zimbabwean identity. It is prominently featured on the national flag and coat of arms, representing resilience, unity, and the legacy of ancient African civilizations.

In a statement, South Africa's Department of Sport, Arts and Culture said McKenzie will formally oversee the handover of Chapungu - an artefact of deep national significance - together with ancestral remains, returning them to the people of Zimbabwe.

"For generations, the story of the Zimbabwe Bird has been one of pride, identity, and painful separation," the Department said. It noted that the sculptures were more than artefacts, describing them as sacred symbols of spirituality and sovereignty rooted in powerful African civilizations.

The Department added that during the late nineteenth century, amid colonial expansion and plunder, several of the birds were removed from Zimbabwe and dispersed internationally, far from their cultural origin.

While some of the artefacts were returned after Zimbabwe's independence in 1980 through diplomatic efforts, officials said this latest repatriation involves "the last and arguably most important" of the eight original birds, which was first taken during the colonial era.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, McKenzie said the return of cultural artefacts is about justice, memory, and healing. He emphasized that heritage forms the foundation of national identity.

"When something sacred is taken from a people, a part of their story is taken with it. Returning these treasures is about restoring that story, restoring pride, and restoring dignity," he said.

The Zimbabwe Bird remains a defining emblem of Zimbabwe and its cultural heritage, symbolising continuity between the past and present.

South Africa says the repatriation reflects a broader commitment to work with African nations to ensure that cultural heritage taken during the colonial era is preserved, respected, and ultimately returned to its rightful communities.