Today: 7 October 2025
25 November 2021
1 min read

Zimbabwe calls for repatriation of African artifacts from Western museums

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa called for the restitution and repatriation of African artifacts that were expropriated from Africa during the colonial era and are currently displayed in Western museums…reports Asian Lite News

Mnangagwa made the remarks on Wednesday at the third edition of the International Conference on African Cultures, being held here from November 23-25 and attended by dignitaries from across the African continent.

“Our peoples’ heritage must be freed from the hostage of Western museums, public spaces and private institutions. Within the purviews of the rights-based discourse, Africa and its people continue to unreservedly pronounce that ‘cultural rights are human rights too.’ In light of this, Africa must reunite with that which belongs to it,” Mnangagwa said.

Zimbabwe calls for repatriation of African artifacts from Western museums

Raphael Chikukwa, director of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe said the looted artifacts are of great cultural and economic value, and therefore should be returned to their rightful owners, Xinhua news agency reported.

He said the return of the artifacts is essential for Africans to revisit and re-engage with the important aspects of African history the artifacts represent.

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Kirsty Coventry said the return of the artifacts is imperative for the realisation of the national identity.

ALSO READ: Zimbabwean ruling party endorses Mnangagwa as presidential candidate for 2023 elections

“To us as Zimbabweans, as we strive towards Vision 2030, it is imperative that we strengthen our national identity, we need to know and fully appreciate where we come from in order to know where we are going,” she said.

Vision 2030 seeks to propel Zimbabwe into a middle-income economy by the year 2030.

Previous Story

All you need to know about ‘Negative Calorie Food’

Next Story

Two people killed in Saudi-led airstrikes on Sanaa

Latest from Africa News

More Killings in Gaza

Israel’s state-owned Kan TV News reported that Israel will stop the airdrop operation of humanitarian aid over Gaza City in the coming days, and the entry of ground aid via trucks to

South Africa woos India at PIO summit

Hosted by the Indian High Commission, the gathering marked a fresh initiative to celebrate the contributions of the Indian community to South Africa’s democratic and cultural life More than a dozen prominent

Kenya Blaze Bill Burns British Army

The £2.9 million settlement follows a lawsuit over a devastating wildfire started accidentally by British soldiers during training exercises in 2021 Britain’s government has, for the first time, agreed to pay millions

Ban Coal Exports to Israel

More than 100 pro-Palestine activists launched protests on Thursday in three major South African cities, calling on the government to ban coal exports to Israel…reports Asian Lite News Pro-Palestine activists are pictured

UAHR slams ‘baseless’ Port Sudan allegations

The Union Association for Human Rights (UAHR) has strongly condemned recent accusations by the so-called “Port Sudan Authority” against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), calling them “baseless” and a deliberate attempt to
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Taliban: US should not interfere in Afghan affairs

A top official of the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan said

Israel to go ahead with 3000 new homes in West Bank

An Israeli governmental body approved more than 3,000 housing units