Delegates at the conference. Photo Avi Sooful

Reclaiming Our Heritage - Harnessing Educational Pathways for the Return and Restitution of Cultural Property in Southern Africa

The Mazibuyele eAfrica Conference held in Johannesburg from 20-22 January 2025 was an investment by UNESCO, AUDA-NEPAD and the University of Pretoria in a restitution project. Invited stakeholders from Southern African countries, South African government officials, the President of ICOM-Africa, Jean-Paul Koudougou (Burkina Faso), and the Vice-President of ICOM, Terry Nyambe (Zambia), were amongst the stakeholders. The need exists to identify and restore dignity to African communities by returning items removed during colonisation that deny legacies to particular people in the African continent. An important factor in this realisation is embedded in African people cultivating confidence in processes and educational training that enable the return of cultural material to rightful communities in Africa.

The three-day conference was important for all delegates to participate in discussions and explore ongoing initiatives, key debates, and practical actions surrounding the return and restitution of cultural property in Africa. It highlighted the challenges and opportunities in repatriating cultural property to their countries of origin. The sessions aimed to foster a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in these efforts. There were presentations from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia, with specific presentations that focused on current efforts to facilitate the return and restitution of cultural property within the region. It examined the challenges experienced and the learnings obtained, past research, progress and success stories while at the same time highlighting available facilities, infrastructure, and human capacity to support such efforts at the country level.   

The conference also looked at an in-depth analysis of the legal frameworks, international conventions, and regional policies that govern the return and restitution of cultural property. It specifically examined the UNESCO 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. The Sessions focused on understanding the current legal landscape, identifying gaps, and proposing enhancements to strengthen the effectiveness of restitution processes in alignment with international standards and regional priorities.

The role of higher education institutions in the return and restitution of cultural property in Africa was debated. It examined how universities and research institutes can contribute through research, advocacy, and training, emphasizing the importance of academic involvement in shaping effective restitution policies and practices.

Avi Sooful, Pretoria

Presentation slide by Johanna Ndjamba. Photo Avi Sooful