…By Joseph Benjamin for TDPel Media.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has called for the return of the Star of Africa, which is set on the British sceptre and Imperial State Crown, to South Africa.
The largest clear-cut diamond in the world, known as The Great Star of Africa, was mined on 26 January 1905 in Pretoria, Gauteng.
Queen Elizabeth II, the late and longest-reigning British monarch, reportedly owned the diamond.
The EFF has accused King Charles III, who was officially coronated on 6 May, of flaunting the Star of Africa at his coronation and demanded that it be returned to its rightful owner.
There are conflicting accounts of how the diamond came into British possession.
Some sources claim that the diamond belonged to the Transvaal Government and was donated to King Edward VII, who then passed it on to Queen Elizabeth II.
Others suggest that the British Royal family purchased the diamond from Thomas Cullinan, the owner of the mine, and renamed it the Cullinan I.
Upon receiving the diamond, the Royal family reportedly cut it into several stones and placed the biggest one, the Star of Africa, in the royal sceptre.
The EFF has accused the British monarchy of continuing to benefit from the grandeur of African wealth while African children die of starvation.
The party has also criticised the presence of African leaders at the coronation, which it sees as an endorsement of further oppression of Africans under the banner of trade.
The EFF has called for justice, the return of stolen jewels, and reparations to be pursued by African states.