A planned auction of dozens of works of art belonging to Nelson Mandela has been suspended pending a court application for a permanent halt, a group that protects South Africa’s cultural heritage has announced.
The online auction was launched on February 24 by the New York-based Guernsey auction house in collaboration with Dr. Makaziwe Mandela, the eldest daughter of South Africa’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela, who died in 2013. It was scheduled for.
It has received widespread criticism within South Africa, with the government supporting a court application by the South African Heritage Resources Authority (Safra) to appeal an earlier court decision that gave the go-ahead for the auction.
Sahara argues that the items being auctioned are the country’s cultural heritage and should be preserved for future generations rather than being sold to the highest bidder.
Items up for auction included Mr Mandela’s “book”, his identity card after his release from prison in 1993.
Also included are Mr Mandela’s iconic Ray-Ban sunglasses and Madiba shirt, a personal letter he wrote from prison and a blanket given to him by former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle.
A champagne cooler given by former US President Bill Clinton is also on the list, with bidding starting at $24,000.
Guernsey described the planned auction on its website as “nothing short of amazing” and said the proceeds would go toward building the Mandela Memorial Gardens in Qunu, the village where Mandela is buried. Stated.
A note posted on the auctioneer’s website on Tuesday indicated the auction had been suspended without providing further details.
Sahara said in a statement that the suspension was the result of Dr Mandela’s involvement with the auction house.
“Mr Sala welcomes the Guernsey auction house’s decision to cancel the auction,” the agency said.
