South African court rejects appeal to block sale of Nelson Mandela memorabilia

The Supreme Court of Appeal in South Africa dismissed an appeal by the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) to prevent the sale and export of memorabilia belonging to Nelson Mandela that are held by his eldest daughter, Makaziwe Mandela, and Christo Brand. The collection includes a U.S.

Mint Mandela coin and gifts from former U.S. presidents — a blanket from President Barack Obama, a champagne cooler from President Bill Clinton and a pen from President George W. Bush — as well as a bronze sculpted fist, Mandela’s aviator sunglasses, signature shirts and his green identity book.

Mr. Brand has a key found at Robben Island and a signed copy of the first post-apartheid South African Constitution. Guernsey’s in New York had scheduled an online auction in 2024 that drew widespread criticism in South Africa. SAHRA argued the items were protected under the National Heritage Resources Act and sought to have the sale blocked; the Supreme Court of Appeal, with four of the five judges concurring, ruled that the state had failed to prove the items were protected under the act.

Ms. Mandela said she was relieved by the decision and said she was "confounded by the motivation for launching this marathon legal battle in the first place," adding that it was "arrogant" for SAHRA to presume to know her father’s last wishes better than his family. She said the auction proceeds are intended to finance a memorial garden where Mr.

Key Topics

World, Nelson Mandela, Makaziwe Mandela, Christo Brand, Sahra, Guernsey's