Chefs With Compassion Mandela Day soup

The Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament will sit on Friday to debate various issues ranging from Covid-19 to poverty. Image: Getty Images.

Arts Minister: Nelson Mandela’s Robben Island cell key returning to SA

The key to Nelson Mandela’s Robben Island cell was expected to sell for at least R20 million, but the sale isn’t going through anymore

Chefs With Compassion Mandela Day soup

The Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament will sit on Friday to debate various issues ranging from Covid-19 to poverty. Image: Getty Images.

The key to former president Nelson Mandela’s prison cell in Robben Island will no longer be auctioned and will be returned to South Africa, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa.

The man who owned the key, Christo Brand, was Mandela’s jailer during his incarceration in Robben Island, and had become his friend throughout the years. It was announced that Brand would be auctioning off the key in New York.

The item was expected to fetch close to R20 million at the auction, which is scheduled for 22 January, but Guernsey’s Auction House announced it was going ahead with the sale.

Arts and Culture Department spokesperson Masechaba Khumalo says the key is considered part of the national estate in terms of the National Heritage Resources Act.

“The key symbolises South Africa’s painful history whilst also representing triumph of the human spirit over evil. This key is living proof of South Africans’ long walk to freedom and belongs to the people of South Africa. It therefore must rightfully be returned to the country,” Khumalo said.

ROBBEN ISLAND KEY: AUCTION HOUSE CONSULTING RELEVANT AUTHORITIES

It isn’t clear how the entire process will play out, but the Arts and Culture Department says Guernseys, the auction house which was behind the sale, is currently in consultation with relevant South African authorities. Details of such arrangements will be made available to the public at an appropriate time.

“Guernseys have also agreed to halt the sale of various other items which belonged to President Nelson Mandela. The South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) believes that such items also form part of the national estate. SAHRA has been communicating with Guernseys on the key and other items which belonged to President Nelson Mandela”

Arts and Culture Department spokesperson Masechaba Khumalo

Mthetwa believes that SAHRA should engage the Mandela family and Nelson Mandela Foundation to decide whether all other items intended for auctioning form part of the national estate.

“The successful conclusion to the intended auction was enabled through an interdepartmental team with relevant agencies. These included the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Department of International Relations and Cooperation and Department of Justice and Correctional Services as well the South African Heritage Resources Agency, Robben Island Musuem, Office of the Solicitor General and Office of the Chief State Law Advisors,” Mthetwa said.