Media Advisory
Attention: Journalists and News Editors
Issued 10 April 2026
Iziko Museums of South Africa, an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, is set to host 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.
This historic moment will take place at the Iziko South African Museum, 25 Queen Victoria Road, Cape Town, at 13:00 on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.
Members of the media who wish to cover the handover ceremony event are requested to RSVP via email to: mediaofficer@iziko.org.za
Deadline for submission: Monday, 13 April 2026 at 16:00.
For RSVPs enquiries, kindly contact:
Ms Tebogo Sebua | tsebua@iziko.org.za cell| 065 882 0834
Ms Zikhona Jafta │zjafta@iziko.org.za Cell|074b345 8139
For other enquiries, kindly contact:
Ms Melody Kleinsmith| Marketing and Communications Manager│Iziko Museums of South Africa Email: mkleinsmith@iziko.org.za
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 Bird 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.
and a powerful centre of culture, trade, and governance. Photograph by M. Kleinsmith.
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.
ENDS
On behalf of the Office of the CEO, Iziko Museums of South Africa
Melody Kleinsmith, Marketing and Communications Manager, Iziko Museums of South Africa
Email:mkleinsmith@iziko.org.za | Cell: +27 73 107 4955
Notes to Editors
About Iziko Museums of South Africa (Iziko Museums)
Iziko Museums of South Africa is a public entity of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and operates 12 national museums, the Planetarium and Digital Dome, the Social History Centre and three collection-specific libraries in Cape Town, South Africa. The museums that make up Iziko have their own history and character, presenting extensive art, social and natural history collections that reflect our diverse cultural heritage.
Visit our webpage at www.iziko.org.za, join our online community on
Facebook (www.facebook.com/IzikoMuseums),
Instagram (@izikomuseumssa) or follow us on X (@Iziko_Museums)
for regular updates on events, news and new exhibitions.
