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The government agency says the auction was delayed because the item left South Africa without the “necessary permission”.
Planned auction Former South African first black president and anti-apartheid hero, key to prison key Nelson Mandela has been canceled.
The key to Robben Island Prison, where Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison, was to be demolished on January 28 by Guernsey’s auction house in the United States.
Guernsey announced on its website that the auction had been postponed until it was “pending review” by the South African Heritage Resources Agency.
Government agency he asked to stop the auction “Not because they thought they had stolen anything, but because they left South Africa without the necessary permits,” said Guernsey President Arlan Ettinger.
Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa has applauded the auction house for approving the suspension of the auction.
In a statement, the ministry said “the key symbolizes the painful history of South Africa, while also symbolizing the victory of the human spirit.
“This key is a living proof of the long journey of freedom of South Africans and that of the people of South Africa. So we have to go back to the country. “
‘Very generous’
One of the key elements of the auction was an iconic set of items.Madiba”Shirt, glasses and ceremonial pens.
Proceeds would be used to build the Mandela Memorial Garden where his remains are buried in his hometown.
Ettinger said one of Mandela’s daughters had contacted her for paraphernalia, including a key, to be auctioned off.
Former prisoner Christo Brand Mandela, who made a difficult and lasting friendship with the anti-apartheid icon, has held the key since the 1980s.
He broke down and “returned it to the mainland authorities … but they returned it, and put it in a drawer and kept it there for 30 years, until it came into contact with a museum. Mandela,” Ettinger said, praising Brand. to leave this property because it is very generous to help build the garden “.
Auctioneers have complied with the government’s decision.
“I know this is a pity for the Mandela family, a pity for us, but … them [government] they are doing what they think is best, we do not agree with them, ”he said.
Mandela was elected the first president of a democratic South Africa in May 1994 and served until June 1999. He died at the age of 95 in December 2013.
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