The South African government has said it will challenge the auctioning of dozens of artefacts belonging to the nation\u2019s anti-apartheid stalwart Nelson Mandela, saying the items are of historical significance and should be preserved in the country. The 75 items belonging to Mandela \u2013 the country\u2019s first democratically elected president who spent 27 years in jail for his anti-apartheid struggle against white minority rule \u2013 are to go under the hammer on February 22 in a deal between New York-based auctioneers Guernsey\u2019s and Mandela\u2019s family, mainly his daughter Makaziwe Mandela. But South Africa\u2019s Ministry of Culture said it has filed an appeal to halt \u201cthe unpermitted export\u201d of the objects. \u201cFormer president Nelson Mandela is integral to South Africa\u2019s heritage,\u201d Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa said in a statement. \u201cIt is thus important that we \u2026 ensure that his life\u2019s work and experiences remain in the country for generations to come.\u201d Mandela passed away in 2013. The items include the late leader\u2019s iconic Ray-Ban sunglasses and \u201cMadiba\u201d shirts, personal letters he wrote from prison, as well as a blanket gifted to him by former US 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 on it starting at $24,000. Among the items is also Mandela\u2019s ID \u201cbook\u201d, his identification document following his release from prison in the 1990s. 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\u2019s cultural heritage. On its website, Guernsey\u2019s says the auction \u201cwill be nothing short of remarkable\u201d, and that proceeds will be used for the building of the Mandela Memorial Garden in Qunu, the village where he is buried. \u201cTo imagine actually owning an artefact touched by this great leader is almost unthinkable,\u201d it says. In an interview with US media published on Thursday, Makaziwe Mandela said her father wanted the former Transkei region where he was born and raised to benefit economically from tourism. \u201cI want other people in the world to have a piece of Nelson Mandela \u2013 and to remind them, especially in the current situation, of compassion, of kindness, of forgiveness,\u201d she told US media. Reports of the auction have sparked heated debates on social media platforms in South Africa, with many criticising the auctioning of what they consider to be the nation\u2019s cultural heritage. The planned auction has come as many African countries seek to have treasured African artworks and artefacts that were removed from the continent during colonial years returned to Africa. Most recently, Nigeria and Germany signed a deal for the return of hundreds of artefacts known as the Benin Bronzes. The deal followed French President Emmanuel Macron\u2019s decision in 2021 to sign over 26 pieces known as the Abomey Treasures, priceless artworks of the 19th century Dahomey kingdom in present-day Benin.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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