SOUTH AFRICA CALLS FOR AUCTION OF NELSON MANDELA’S CELL KEY TO BE CANCELLED

Sat 25 December 2021:

South Africa on Friday, condemned the planned auction of the key to the prison cell where ex-president and national hero Nelson Mandela was once imprisoned.

The key to Mandela’s cell on Robben Island, where he was imprisoned for 27 years, will be auctioned on January 28 by Guernsey’s, a British auction house.
Members of Mandela’s family donated the majority of the items to help raise funds for a planned museum and garden around his grave.

According to reports, the key is being sold by Mandela’s former prison guard Christo Brand.

“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 Sports, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa said in a statement.

“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,” Mthethwa said. “The key must be returned to its rightful owners with immediate effect and this auction must be halted.”

The auction house responded by stating that the proceeds of the sale will be used to fund the construction of a 24-acre memorial garden and museum around Mandela’s grave site.

Mandela’s oldest daughter, Makaziwe Mandela-Amuah, approached Guernsey’s to hold an auction of Mandela memorabilia to help build the garden, said Arlan Ettinger, president of Guernsey’s.

The key has been in Brand’s possession for many years and has been exhibited internationally, Ettinger said. Mandela’s daughter has approved its sale and a portion of the proceeds will go to the garden fund, he added.