Jakarta –
A diamond known as the Great Star of Africa or Cullinan I is igniting the debate. South Africa (South Africa) has requested the return of the diamond that was in the crown and scepter of Queen Elizabeth II.
Cullinan I is a large diamond gem now found in the UK. This diamond is said to belong to South Africa after being obtained from a diamond mine in 1905.
As reported by CNN, by the colonial authorities of South Africa, this diamond was donated to the British royal family. Now the Cullinan I diamond is mounted on Queen Elizabeth II’s scepter. The departure of Queen Elizabeth II is therefore the beginning of South Africa demanding the return of diamonds that are considered theirs.
Many South Africans regarded this British acquisition of diamond gems as illegitimate. That is why the people of South Africa wrote a petition whose content was to collect this diamond.
The UK has asked for compensation
So precious diamond Currently, in South Africa, there is a heated debate on the ownership of the gem. In addition to demanding the return of the diamonds, the public also asked the British Empire to pay compensation.
“The Cullinan I diamond must be returned to South Africa immediately,” said activist Thanduxolo Sabelo.
Furthermore, he also said that South Africa’s wealth of natural resources has always been a boon to Britain. While the people of South Africa must be victims.
“The minerals from our country and those from other countries continue to benefit Britain at the expense of our people,” Sabelo continued.
More than 6,000 people signed a petition demanding the return of the Cullinan I diamond and display in a South African museum.
A South African MP, Vuyolwethu Zungula, urged his country to seek compensation for all damages caused by Britain and also the return of all the gold, diamonds stolen from Britain.
Echoes of the diamond collection belonging to South Africa are also crowded on social media like Twitter. You can see when South African President Cyril Ramaphosa posted a tweet praising Queen Elizabeth II, South Africans were actually satirizing diamonds.
UK response
According to the Royal Collection Trust, which oversees the royal collections of the British royal family, the Cullinan I diamond was donated to King Edward VII in 1907. King Edward VII, then in power, received the diamond two years after its discovery.
“The diamond was sent to the Royal Asscher from Amsterdam to be divided in 1908,” said Royal Asscher, a diamond cutting company that has been in existence since 1854.
According to Royal Asscher, the initial weight of this diamond is approximately 3,106 carats. So large, this intact diamond is the size of a human heart.
Royal Asscher explained that the gem was bought by the South African government of Transvaal, which was then run by the British government. This diamond was a birthday present for King Edward VII.
A professor of African politics at the University of South Africa, Everristo Benyera, rejects this explanation. He told CNN that “transactions during the colonial period were illegitimate and immoral.”
“Our narrative is that the entire Transvaal government and the Union of South Africa and their competing mining unions are illegal,” Benyera said.
He also claimed that this buying and selling action was illegal and could be considered a theft.
Diamonds cut in many
Original size diamond This is really very big, but it has been cut in different sizes. According to Royal Asscher, the Cullinan I diamond is cut into nine large stones and 96 small diamond pieces.
The largest diamond was named the Great Star of Africa by King Edward VII. As for the smaller diamonds, they are called the Smaller Star of Africa.
Queen Elizabeth II often displays Cullinan I diamonds
The Cullinan I diamond has a beautiful pink color. A large diamond is set on the Scepter of England. While a smaller diamond is attached to Queen Elizabeth II’s crown.
Queen Elizabeth II is known to often exhibit this diamond. She often shoots using a scepter or a diamond-encrusted crown.
“The late Queen of England has been wearing this (diamond) for more than half a century,” said Leigh-Ann Mathys, national spokesperson for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a South African opposition political party.
Further revealed, Mathys asked the British Empire to return the diamonds to the citizens of South Africa.
Watch videos”Privileges of the diamond crown on Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin“
[Gambas:Video 20detik]
(dv / lus)
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