Don’t auction the key to hero Mandela’s prison cell, says pol

A South African cabinet minister on Friday urged the cancellation of an auction in the U.S. where up for bid will be a key to the Robben Island prison cell where Nelson Mandela, the country’s first Black president, was long jailed for his opposition to apartheid.

The key is among Mandela memorabilia being sold by Guernsey’s auctionhouse in New York on Jan. 28. Most of the items were provided by members of Mandela’s family to raise funds for a planned museum and garden around his grave. The key was offered by Mandela’s former jailer who became his friend.

“It is unfathomable for Guernsey’s, which is clearly aware of the painful history of our country and the symbolism of the key, to consider auctioning the key without any consultation with the South African government, the heritage authorities in South Africa and Robben Island Museum,” Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa said.

“This key belongs to the people of South Africa under the care of Robben Island Museum and the South African State. It is not anyone’s personal belonging,” said Mthethwa.

In response, the auctionhouse said the proceeds of the sale are to raise funds to build a 24-acre memorial garden and museum around Mandela’s burial site. Mandela’s oldest daughter, Makaziwe Mandela-Amuah, approached Guernsey’s to hold the auction, Arlan Ettinger, president of Guernsey’s, told The Associated Press.

“We are honored to sell many items from the Mandela family to help them create the garden,” Ettinger said. The 33 objects to be auctioned include one of Mandela’s colorful shirts and gifts from former U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush.