Iziko Museums of South Africa, an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, hosted a handover event, to repatriate the Zimbabwean Bird, an artefact of national significance, along with ancestral remains to the people of Zimbabwe before Zimbabwe’s Independence Day celebrations.
The handover ceremony forms part of government’s broader country-to-country repatriation programme for heritage objects and ancestral remains which seeks to restore dignity to those impacted during the colonial era. Through continued collaboration between governments and heritage institutions, South Africa is working to ensure ethical stewardship, restorative justice and cultural recognition.
“As Council, we reaffirm Iziko Museums of South Africa’s unwavering commitment to upholding the principles of human dignity, social justice, and the recognition of our shared heritage.” said Chairperson of Iziko Council, Mr Marvin Mdhluli.
The Zimbabwe Birds were carved from single blocks of stone and discovered at the archaeological site of Great Zimbabwe – a vast stone city considered to be a political and spiritual center of a powerful pre-colonial kingdom built between the 11th and 15th centuries.
During the late 19th century several original Zimbabwe Birds were removed from Zimbabwe. After Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, international diplomatic efforts to reclaim these resulted in all but one being returned. The final bird is set to return to Zimbabwe shortly before the commemoration of the Zimbabwean Independence Day later in April.
Zimbabwe bird is a symbol of resilience and unity. It has been incorporated into Zimbabwe’s national insignia, as central to the flag and coat of arms. The bird is considered to be a powerful symbol of cultural restitution and post-colonial justice.Â
WHAT: Repatriation of The Zimbabwe Bird & Ancestral Remains
WHERE: South African Museum, 25 Queen Victoria Road, Cape Town 8001
WHEN: 14 April 2026
INFO: Â VISITÂ Â | See also Cape Town Green Map
PHOTO: Dr Bongani Ndhlovu, Acting CEO of Iziko Museums of South Africa, handing over the Zimbabwe Soapstone Bird and ancestral remains to Dr Paul Mupira of the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe
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