Guernsey’s auction house in New York has stopped the sale of around 70 personal items belonging to Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s anti-apartheid hero.
The auction, titled “Mandela, The Auction SUSPENDED,” was halted without explanation due to public outcry in South Africa. Makaziwe Mandela, the eldest daughter of Mandela, planned to auction items like hearing aids, walking sticks, and reading glasses on February 22 to fund a memorial garden near his burial site.
The South African Heritage Resources Agency (Sahra) contested the decision in court but lost the case. South Africa’s Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa said blocking the sale was necessary to preserve Mandela’s legacy and ensure his life experiences remain in the country for generations to come. Mandela died in 2013 at the age of 95.
(Africanews)
