An auction featuring 70 personal items belonging to anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela, including his iconic shirts, is facing opposition from the South African government.
The auction, organized by Mandela’s eldest daughter, Makaziwe Mandela, is under scrutiny as the government asserts that the items rightfully belong to the nation.
Among the items are hearing aids, an ID card, gifts from world leaders, and clothing like Mandela’s distinctive “Madiba” shirts. South Africa contends that, under the country’s laws, items deemed part of the national heritage cannot be taken out of the country.
The South African Heritage Resources Agency (Sahra), responsible for safeguarding the nation’s history and culture, has filed an appeal to block the sale.
The appeal has been supported by the sport, arts and culture ministry. Minister Zizi Kodwa said it was was backing the case “for the sake of maintaining the country’s rich heritage”.
He added that blocking the sale was necessary as Mandela “is integral to South Africa’s heritage”.
“It is thus important that we preserve the legacy of former President Mandela and ensure that his life’s work experiences remain in the country for generations to come.”
In 2021, the South African government opposed the proposed auction of Nelson Mandela’s personal items, claiming some were national artifacts. This led to the cancellation of the 2022 auction and initiated a two-year legal battle. Last month, the High Court in Pretoria granted Ms. Mandela permission to proceed with the sale, challenging the government’s assertion that the items held national heritage status.
Despite the court’s decision, the government, through Sahra and the culture ministry, has filed a request to appeal, citing concerns over the “unpermitted export for exhibition or sale” of the items. The auction, scheduled for January 22, faces uncertainty pending the appeal’s outcome.
The listed items, including hearing aids and Mandela’s iconic shirts, could fetch substantial amounts at the New York-based Guernsey’s auction house, with estimates reaching up to $20,000 and $70,000, respectively.
While Ms. Mandela plans to allocate auction proceeds to a memorial garden in Mandela’s honor, the government’s opposition has generated mixed reactions in South Africa. Some argue for the preservation of these “priceless” items, while others believe the matter should be left to the discretion of Mandela’s family.
Nelson Mandela, an anti-apartheid hero, passed away in 2013 at the age of 95, leaving an enduring legacy for his role in South Africa’s struggle against apartheid.