The South African government has condemned an upcoming auction in the US of the key which kept former South African president Nelson Mandela locked behind bars for almost 20 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.
But today, the South African Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture has spoken out against the auction.
The key comes from the prison on Robben island near Cape Town where the anti-apartheid campaigner was incarcerated by the white authorities
Nathi Mthethwa, 54, 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.
MailOnline has approached Guernsey’s and Christo Brand for additional comment.
The key comes from the prison on Robben island near Cape Town where the anti-apartheid campaigner was incarcerated by the white authorities.
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.
In 1964, Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment at the age of 46, initially on Robben island where he would be kept for 18 years
The two men forged a bond of friendship that continued until Mandela’s death in 2013 at the age of 95 and now the key is being auctioned off at a New York sale next week.
Founder and president of the New York-based auction house Guernseys, Arlan Ettinger, said today: ‘The idea that an ordinary key worth pennies should be so important is extraordinary. But it represents the best and worst of humanity – Mandela was imprisoned unjustly for 27 years and his first jailer was an 18-year-old boy in his first job.
‘The guard who was in charge of some of the world’s most dangerous prisoners, discovered that Mandela was gentle, kindly and thoughtful man and the pair became good friends – a friendship that lasted the rest of Mandela’s life – from prison to presidency.
‘What that key symbolises is an extraordinary part of the history not just of South Africa but the world.’
The auction house has put a reserve of $250,000 (£186,000) but Mr Ettinger says it could well fetch more than a million pounds.
But today, a representative of Brand said that no reserve price has been set.
He added: ‘We really hope it is not bought by a collector who just wants to own it – it is such a symbolic key that everyone should be able to see it.’
Mandela delivered his famous ‘Speech from the Dock’ while facing the death penalty on April 20, 1964 – and he ended his speech by saying, ‘I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.
‘It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die’ – words that symbolised his life-long dedication to the fight for equality, as well as the eradication of the South African racist system of apartheid.
The key was used by the jailer, Christo Brand, pictured who became Mandela’s friend, and who is now selling the small metal key more than seven years after Mandela’s death.
Years of unjust imprisonment and a Nobel Peace Prize later, Nelson Mandela voted for the first time in 1994 and in the same year, he became the first democratically-elected President of South Africa.
Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his first 27 years in captivity at the infamous Robben Island but even from inside the prison known for its brutal treatment and inhumane living conditions, Mandela continued to contribute to his reforms outside.
Prison inmates were permitted to write and send just two letters a year but with the help of his fellow inmates and visitors, Mandela managed to smuggle out statements and letters that continued his anti-apartheid movement.
Even while he was incarcerated Mandela fought for inmates’ rights and better treatment and as a result of his reforms, he was offered a tennis racket and an exercise bicycle. Both of these are also in the sale.
The key was used by the jailer, Christo Brand (pictured with Mandela in 1998), who became his friend, and who is now selling the small metal key more than seven years after Mandela’s death
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk