Auctioning of mandela’s personal items suspended by Guernsey

Sales of over 70 personal belongings of former South African President and anti-apartheid hero, Nelson Mandela, which were earlier meant to be auction by Guernsey’s auction house in New York have been halted.

The auction suspension was published on Guernsey’s website , titled “Mandela, The Auction SUSPENDED,” . Whilst they did not say why the sales was suspended, many felt it could be linked to the public condemnation and uproar it generated in South Africa.

In a silimar circumstances, Makaziwe Mandela, the eldest daughter of Nelson Mandela, had organised to auction some of the anti=apartheid hero’s items such as his hearing aids, walking sticks, and reading glasses, which ended up unsuccessful. The South African Heritage Resources Agency (Sahra) contested her action in court but lost the case. Sahra intends to appeal the ruling.

According to her, she intended to use the proceeds to fund a memorial garden near the hero’s burial site.

South Africa’s authority frowns at both auctions. Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa said that blocking the auction was necessary as Mr Mandela “is integral to South Africa’s heritage”.

According to him: “It is thus important that we preserve the legacy of former President Mandela and ensure that his life’s work experiences remain in the country for generations to come.”

Some of Mandela’s family members are also against the auction. Ndaba, Mandela’s grandson, according to a source, said he was against the the auction.

Mr Mandela is key personality in the South Africa’s struggles against apartheid, the battle that cost him to spend more than a quarter of his life in prison. He fought white-minority rule and became South Africa’s first black president in 1994.

Widely known in South Africa and all over the world as Madiba, Nelson Mandela died in 2013 at the age of 95.