Three sacred cultural artefacts belonging to South Africa’s Nkuna royal family have been returned by Switzerland’s city of Neuchâtel after more than a century in Swiss custody.
“Neuchâtel today handed over to South Africa three objects of symbolic and religious significance that had been housed in the collections of the Ethnographic Museum of Neuchâtel for over a century,” the town said in a statement on Tuesday.
The artefacts, which include a wooden stick, a divination basket and a bovine amulet once used in royal rituals, were handed over during a ceremony at Neuchâtel’s City Hall.
They had been housed at the city’s Ethnographic Museum since the late 19th century, after being collected by Swiss missionary Henri-Alexandre Junod during his time in southern Africa.
The return was formalized through a Swiss legal agreement signed by Nicole Baur, Neuchâtel city council leader, and Lungisa Malgas, director general of the South African Heritage Resources Agency.
A separate cooperation agreement was also signed between the Ditsong Museums of South Africa and the Neuchâtel museum to support cultural and scientific collaboration.
“This is an emotional moment to see these artefacts return to their country and family of origin,” Baur said. “It is not the end of a story, but the beginning of a renewed friendship.”
The repatriation followed years of discussions with the Nkuna royal family, SAHRA and South Africa’s Ministry of Higher Education and Training. The objects are expected to travel back with the visiting delegation.
The transfer came ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s two-day state visit to Switzerland. In Bern, he met with Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter to discuss vocational training, innovation and investment.
Ramaphosa later said, “I thank the Swiss government for the constructive cooperation in the repatriation efforts of the heritage objects of the Nkuna Royal Family, which will now occupy their rightful place in Limpopo.”
He added that the two countries signed agreements promoting cooperation in arts, culture, peacebuilding and democratic resilience.
NEUCHÂTEL, Switzerland – Bantu Gazette
