RC 260922SAfmKoketso Sachane
Tuesday, 22 September 2026
Repatriation, restitution and civil-service reform dominated an episode focused on healing South Africa’s past and rebuilding accountable public institutions.
- 20:31
Iziko Museums has repatriated 155 ancestors, including 63 returned after Northern Cape consultations, and is researching further remains for repatriation and reburial.
- 21:10
South Africa’s exile repatriation policy, endorsed by Cabinet in 2023, enabled 42 remains to return from Zimbabwe and Zambia for family reburials in 2024.
- 20:40
Museum professionals said ancestral remains and sacred objects require community-led rituals, spiritual healing and restitution even when physical repatriation is impossible, including remains buried beneath Australian school grounds.
- 21:19
New South Institute director Iva Chipkin said reforms are separating political and administrative roles, after legislation reduced politicians’ control over public-service appointments and management.
- 21:42
Chipkin rejected claims that South Africa’s public service is bloated, warning instead that ageing teachers, nurses and police face a demographic cliff as younger recruits remain scarce.