Restitution and the need to work at the speed of trust

In March 2025, Open Restitution Africa co-hosted a two-day gathering with the University of the Western Cape at the Iyatsiba Lab in Cape Town, bringing together African restitution practitioners, researchers and activists to reflect on how lived experience is shaping policy across the continent.

Over a series of panels and workshops of the gathering Restitution in Practice: From Policy to Activation, participants explored:

  • Lessons from completed restitution processes

  • Local vs national dynamics in negotiation

  • What national restitution policy frameworks actually require

  • Building long-term, sustainable networks of collaboration

Emerging from this Baraza was a key theme surrounding the need to work at the speed of trust — recognising that truly effective restitution must be rooted in healing, community leadership and African priorities, not external pressure.