SA list of demands following the death of the queen
Former ANC KwaZulu-Natal provincial secretary Thanduxolo Sabelo and African Transformation Movement (ATM) MP Vuyo Zungula have joined the chorus of SA people. They are requesting reparations from Britain’s new monarch.
Thursday marked the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. She left her eldest son Charles, 73, in charge of the UK and 14 other kingdoms, including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
After the monarch passed away, there was a heated debate regarding her legacy. Some people are devastated and others criticising her and her family’s involvement in colonialism.
Zungula weighed in on the queen’s passing by writing a list of demands.
“SA should immediately leave the Commonwealth, and demand compensation for all suffering caused by Britain. It should design a new constitution based on the wishes of the people of SA rather than the British Magna Carta. SA should also demand the return of all gold and diamonds taken by Britain.”
Sabelo made a similar call, adding that the crown jewels’ renowned Cullinan Diamond had to be returned.
“Britain continues to profit from the minerals of our nation and other nations at the expense of our citizens. Because of the oppression and destruction brought about by her and her ancestors, we continue to live in abject poverty, face widespread unemployment, and see an increase in crime.
He stipulated in his letter, “The Cullinan Diamond must be returned to SA with immediate effect.
With a weight of 3,106.75 carats, the diamond is the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever discovered. In 1905, it was found in Cullinan, Gauteng.
Others urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to deliver the message to the future king of Britain.
I met Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the last Commonwealth meeting which was held in London in 2018 where we spent some time looking at letters that former President Nelson Mandela sent to the Queen, and we reminisced about the great stateman that Her Majesty so respected. pic.twitter.com/L4uSirDoYo
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) September 9, 2022
First call of duty return South Africa's diamond! https://t.co/QbhvfvPMfQ
— Occasionall Delinquent Grootman. (@LordPercyK) September 8, 2022
Given that it was “a reminder of a very unfortunate moment in this country and Africa’s history,” certain parties, like the EFF, stated that they would not express their sorrow over the queen’s death.
According to the EFF, the queen never addressed “crimes that Britain, and her family, in particular, inflicted throughout the world.”
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