Why the controversial Mandela auction was suspended
An auction of items belonging to the late President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, was suspended this week following an engagement with the South African Heritage Resource Agency (SAHRA).
The auction, which was scheduled for 22 February, was to include the sale of approximately 70 items belonging to Madiba – including his ID book and several other personal items.
Auction house Guernsey’s, on its website, and without listing a reason, said: “This auction has been suspended.”
This follows criticism from the public and the SAHRA, which noted the situation raises significant concerns and requires careful consideration due to the historical and cultural importance of the items at risk of sale.
However, after engaging with the auction house, the SAHRA further stated that an agreement was made with Guernsey and the late former President’s daughter, Dr Makaziwe Mandela, to suspend the auction to allow legal proceedings to run their course.
At the end of December 2023, The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria overturned an interdict sought by the SA Heritage Resource Agency (SAHRA) against Madiba’s daughter, Makaziwe Mandela.
Makaziwe made the case that the items were not heritage objects, and the court dismissed SAHRA’s application for an interdict, saying there was little evidence to support the allegation the items were heritage objects as envisaged in the Heritage Act.
However, SAHRA, together with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (the Department), and the Robben Island Museum (the Museum), applied for leave to appeal the judgment on 28 December 2023. The application is pending before the High Court.
“SAHRA welcomes the decision by Guernsey’s Auction House to suspend the auction. This decision aligns with our commitment to the conservation of South Africa’s cultural heritage, and we appreciate the recognition of the sensitivity surrounding these significant artefacts.
As SAHRA pursues the application for leave to appeal the recent High Court judgement related to the export of heritage objects, the suspension of the auction is a responsible and considerate approach.
It allows the ongoing legal proceedings to be concluded and affords SAHRA the opportunity to pursue its objective of preserving the cultural heritage of our nation,” the agency said.
The items that were up for auction included Madiba’s “personal and only identification book (ID)”, starting at $75,000 (roughly R1.4 million), among other things.
The New York Times also reports that a key to the Robben Island prison cell where Mandela was imprisoned was also one of the items.
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