The South African government has condemned the planned auction of the key to the prison cell that once held ex-president and national hero Nelson Mandela for 27 years.
The key is the headline item of a January 28 auction by British auction house Guernsey’s. The key is being sold by Mandela’s former prison guard, Christo Brand.
“It is unfathomable for Guernsey’s, which is clearly aware of the painful history of our country and the symbolism of the key, to consider auctioning the key without any consultation with the South African government, the heritage authorities in South Africa and Robben Island museum,” Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa said in a statement.
“This key belongs to the people of South Africa under the care of Robben Island museum and the South African state. It is not anyone’s personal belonging,” Mthethwa said.
“The key must be returned to its rightful owners with immediate effect and this auction must be halted.” (AFP)
