Government wants to stop sale of Mandela items
JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s government announced Friday it will challenge the auctioning of artifacts belonging to the nation’s anti-apartheid stalwart Nelson Mandela, saying the items should remain in the country.
The 75 artifacts belonging to Mandela, the country’s first democratically elected president who spent 27 years in jail for his antiapartheid struggle, are to go under the hammer Feb. 22 in a deal between New Yorkbased auctioneers Guernsey’s and Mandela’s family, mainly his daughter Dr. Makaziwe Mandela.
The items include Nelson Mandela’s Ray-Ban sunglasses and “Madiba” shirts, personal letters he wrote from prison, as well as a blanket gifted to him by former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle.
A champagne cooler that was a present from former President Bill Clinton is also on the list, with bidding for it starting at $24,000. Also among the items is Mandela’s ID “book,” his identification document following his 1993 release from prison.
Last month, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria gave the go-ahead for the auction after dismissing an interdict by the South African Heritage Resources Agency, which is responsible for the protection of the country’s cultural heritage.
The government said Friday it will back an appeal by the agency.
South African minister of arts and culture, Zizi Kodwa, said the government wants to “preserve the legacy of former President Mandela and ensure ... his life’s work” remains in the country.
On its website, Guernsey’s says the auction “will be nothing short of remarkable,” and that proceeds will be used for the building of the Mandela Memorial Garden in Qunu, the village where he is buried.
“To imagine actually owning an artifact touched by this great leader is almost unthinkable,” it said.