About 75 items are to be auctioned as part of a deal between Mandela’s family and a New York auctioneer.

The South African government has said it will challenge the auction of dozens of artifacts belonging to South African anti-apartheid fighter Nelson Mandela. The items are of historical importance and should be kept in the country.

The 75 items belonging to Mandela – the country’s first democratically elected president, who served 27 years in prison for his anti-apartheid struggle against white minority rule – are due to be released on February 22 as part of a deal between New York auction houses Guernsey’s and Mandela’s family, mainly his daughter Makaziwe Mandela, will be auctioned.

However, South Africa’s Ministry of Culture said it had lodged an appeal to stop the “illegal export” of the objects.

“Former President Nelson Mandela is an integral part of South Africa’s heritage,” Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa said in a statement.

“That is why it is important that we … ensure that his life’s work and experiences remain in the country for future generations.” Mandela died in 2013.

Items include the late leader’s iconic Ray-Ban sunglasses and “Madiba” shirts, personal letters he wrote from prison and a blanket given to him by former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle .

A champagne cooler, a gift from former President Bill Clinton, is also on the list, with the auction starting at $24,000. Among the items is Mandela’s ID book, his identification document after his release from prison in the 1990s.

Last month, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria gave the green light to the auction after rejecting a ban by the South African Heritage Resources Agency, which is responsible for protecting the country’s cultural heritage.

“Almost unthinkable”

On its website, Guernsey’s says the auction will be “nothing short of remarkable” and that the proceeds will be used to build the Mandela Memorial Garden in Qunu, the village where he is buried.

“The idea of ​​actually owning an artifact that this great leader touched is almost unthinkable,” it says.

In an interview with US media published on Thursday, Makaziwe Mandela said her father wanted the former Transkei region, where he was born and raised, to benefit economically from tourism.

“I want other people in the world to have a piece of Nelson Mandela – and to remind them, especially in the current situation, of compassion, kindness and forgiveness,” she told the New York Times.

Reports of the auction have sparked heated debates on social media platforms in South Africa, with many criticizing the auction of what they see as the country’s cultural heritage.

The proposed auction comes as many African countries want to bring back to Africa valuable African artworks and artifacts that were removed from the continent during the colonial era.

Most recently Nigeria and Germany signed a contract for the return of hundreds of artifacts known as Benin Bronzes.

The deal followed French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision in 2021 to sign over 26 pieces known as the Abomey Treasures, priceless works of art from the 19th century Dahomey Kingdom in present-day Benin.