Stolen Zimbabwe bird delivered to Mnangagwa by ex-convict

President Emmerson Mnangagwa says Zimbabwe will intensify efforts to reclaim its cultural heritage from foreign museums and private collections, following the repatriation of the country's eighth and final Zimbabwe Bird from South Africa.

The artefact, along with ancestral human remains, was formally handed over at State House in Harare by South Africa's Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie during a ceremony marking a major cultural milestone ahead of Zimbabwe's 46th Independence anniversary.

Mnangagwa described the return of the soapstone bird as a moment of "profound joy and triumphant closure," saying it represents the restoration of a key symbol of national identity that was taken during the colonial era.

"For far too long, this vital piece of our national soul and dignity resided in a foreign land," he said, adding that Zimbabwe's heritage had been "a testament to colonial plunder that sought to strip us of our identity."

The Zimbabwe Bird, derived from the bateleur eagle (Chapungu), is a central emblem of the state, featured on the national flag, coat of arms, currency and official documents.

The latest repatriation completes the return of all eight known soapstone birds originally taken from Great Zimbabwe during the late 19th century and dispersed across museums and private collections abroad.

Mnangagwa said the artefacts should now be preserved at Great Zimbabwe National Monument, calling it the "heart of our ancient civilisation under the Munhumutapa Empire."

He thanked South Africa for facilitating the return, praising cooperation between the two countries as an example of African solidarity.

South African Minister McKenzie said the process was fast-tracked following instructions from President Cyril Ramaphosa to ensure the artefact was returned before Zimbabwe's Independence celebrations.

"The speed of that response was itself a message that when African governments decide cultural justice is urgent, it indeed becomes urgent," he said.

Zimbabwe's Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Kazembe Kazembe described the return as a healing moment for the nation.

Traditional leaders also welcomed the repatriation, with calls for broader compensation linked to colonial-era cultural losses.

The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, including Vice Presidents and service chiefs, underscoring the political and symbolic significance attached to the return of the artefact.

Officials say Zimbabwe will continue pursuing the repatriation of cultural artefacts still held abroad as part of a broader push to restore historical and cultural identity.