By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Sports, arts and culture minister Nathi Mthethwa has condemned an upcoming auction in the US of the key which kept former president Nelson Mandela locked behind bars for 27 years.
New York-based auction house Guernsey’s is hosting an online only auction next month which will see a number of items being sold which held significant importance during Mandela’s life.
And the key which kept Mandela behind bars on Robben Island is believed to be set to fetch more than £1million when it sells.
Mthethwa said: ‘It is unfathomable for Guernseys, 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.
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 added: ‘The key must be returned to its rightful owners with immediate effect and this auction must be halted.
‘I am currently in discussions with the Robben Island Museum Council, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola and the National Heritage Council to consider appropriate steps that must be taken to stop the auction and to secure the return of the key to South Africa.’
The statement also said that the Robben Island Museum has a legal mandate to collect and preserve objects associated with the prison for the people of South Africa.
In response to the statement from South Africa’s Sport, Arts and Culture ministry, a spokesperson for Brand today said: ‘The key has been on the official Nelson Mandela exhibition traveling around the world for the past four years.
The Daily Mail reports that ‘Dr Makaziwe Mandela, Nelson Mandela’s oldest daughter, approached Christo Brand and asked if he would be happy to add the key to the Guernsey’s auction in order to help raise funds for a Nelson Mandela memorial garden in Qunu.
‘Christo agreed because he wanted to contribute in some way to the legacy and memory of his friend.’
The spokesperson added: ‘Since 2018 Christo has been sharing the story of Mandela to groups all over the world as well as here in South Africa.
Meanwhile Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO Sello Hatang said it had “no idea” of the planned auction and had been alerted to it through the report.
According to him, the key is state property and should be returned.
“It does not belong to an individual to sell, as alleged,” he said.
Hatang said the foundation had been in touch with the national government to alert it to the sale, although the organisation itself would not be taking the matter forward.
It was used by the jailer, Christo Brand, who became his friend, and who is now selling the small metal key more than seven years after Mandela’s death.