Nelson Mandela and his daughter Makaziwe Mandela. Images via X/ @kayafm.
SAHRA to appeal ruling on the auction of Nelson Mandela’s items
Nelson Mandela’s first daughter Makaziwe wants to auction his personal items to finance a memorial garden in Qunu.
Nelson Mandela and his daughter Makaziwe Mandela. Images via X/ @kayafm.
Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Zizi Kodwa says he supports the South African Heritage Resources Agency’s (SAHRA) decision to appeal a High Court judgement which ruled in favour of former president Nelson Mandela’s eldest daughter, Makaziwe, regarding the auction of items associated with the late struggle hero.
Former President Nelson Mandela’s eldest daughter with his first wife Evelyn Mase, Makaziwe, wants to auction off items, including letters the former Statesman wrote while jailed at Robben Island, a gift from former US president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, his reading glasses as well as his ID book issued in 1993.
SAHRA TO APPEAL JUDGEMENT RELATING TO AUCTION OF NELSON MANDELA’S ITEMS
On 28 December 2023, the South African Heritage Resources Agency, with the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture and Robben Island Museum, applied for leave to appeal the High Court judgement relating to the unpermitted export for exhibition or sale on the auction of items associated with former President Nelson Mandela.
While this matter is still before the court, SAHRA and the Department said they have noted with concern the impending auction of items associated with former President Mandela.
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The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture echoes the significant concern raised by SAHRA on this development.
Kodwa said former President Nelson Mandela is integral to South Africa’s heritage.
“His life, experiences, and legacy live in our consciousness and the values we promote as a country. It is thus important that we preserve the legacy of former President Mandela and ensure that his life’s work and experiences remain in the country for generations to come,” he said.
Furthermore, Kodwa said the legacy of former President Mandela and many others who have contributed to getting South Africa to where it is today as a free, democratic, and culturally diverse nation cannot be forgotten.
“It is therefore critical to support the intervention by SAHRA for the sake of maintaining the country’s rich heritage,” he added.
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WILL THE AUCTION GO AHEAD?
The initial date for the auction was 28 January 2022. Following the High Court’s decision, which ruled in favour of Makaziwe, Guernsey’s auction house in New York cleared the sale for 22 February 2024.
The company, which estimated the collective value of the 70 items to be between $2 million (R38 million) and $3 million (R56 million), revealed that proceeds from the auction are intended to finance a memorial garden honouring Mandela in Qunu, his final resting place.
