Pretoria – The auction of personal items belonging to former SA president Nelson Mandela remains in doubt because a bid to appeal the high court ruling giving the go-ahead has been launched.
Last month, Mandela’s daughter Makaziwe won a two-year legal battle against the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), which took the matter to court in a bid to stop the auction.
The court dismissed SAHRA’s interdict application citing a lack of evidence to support assertions that the items to be auctioned were heritage objects as envisaged in the Heritage Act.
However, Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister Goodenough Zizi Kodwa on Friday said he supports the stance taken by SAHRA and others, who have requested leave to appeal the high court ruling, intending to stop the planned auction.
The auction of Mandela’s personal items is scheduled to take place on 22 February 2024.
As many as 70 items belonging to Mandela such as his ID, letters from prison, walking stick, drawings he sketched while in prison, and many other gifts received will go under the hammer at the New York auction company, Guernsey’s Auction.
The minister said on 28 December 2023, SAHRA, with the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture and Robben Island Museum, applied for leave to appeal the High Court judgment relating to “the unpermitted export for exhibition or sale on auction of items associated with former President Nelson Mandela”.
While this matter was still before the court, SAHRA said it “noted with concern the impending auction of items associated with former President Mandela”.
Minister Kodwa echoed the “significant concern” raised by SAHRA on this development.
“Former President Nelson Mandela is integral to South Africa’s heritage,” Minister Kodwa said.
“His life, experiences, and legacy live in our consciousness and in 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.”
Minister Kodwa added: “It is important for us to record and tell our stories to deepen our heritage.
“The legacy of former President Mandela, and many others who have contributed to get 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.”
