The Identity Document (I.D) as well as sixty-nine items of former President Nelson Mandela is scheduled to go on auction.
This comes after Mandela’s daughter Makaziwe won a two year long battle against the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) who was unhappy with these prized items going on sale.
The initial sale of the items was expected to take place on 28 January 2022. However, SAHRA halted the plans claiming that items were considered Heritage objects and asked the Pretoria high court to return it to South Africa.
Meanwhile, the court decisively dismissed SAHRA’s application for an interdict in December, citing insufficient evidence to support the allegation that the items were heritage objects as defined by the Heritage Act.
With the application being dismissed, this means that the auction will go ahead as planned.
The list of items is believed to include Mandela’s ID issued in 1993, letters from prison, his walking stick, drawings he sketched while in prison, a gift from former US president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle and many other gifts he received.
The American company, New York based – Guernsey, has now decided on the 22 February to be the day of the auction.
“When considering historic figures whose lives inspired the global population, the name Nelson Mandela will forever stand out. To imagine actually owning an artefact touched by this great leader is almost unthinkable. Guernsey’s upcoming Nelson Mandela auction will be nothing short of remarkable. Nearly 100 treasured items will be presented at unreserved auction,” Guernsey’s stated.
According to TimesLive, the money from the auction will be used to create a memorial garden at Mandela’s gravesite.
Also see:Gender-based violence institutions to assist this Nelson Mandela Day
