A South African court has dismissed an appeal by the country's heritage body to stop the sale and export of various artefacts connected to anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela.
The 70 personal items include a cell key from Robben Island, where Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of the 27 years he was locked up, a pair of Aviator sunglasses, and one of his signature floral shirts. They were due to be exported to the US for auction.
The objects belong to his eldest daughter, Makaziwe Mandela, and Christo Brand, a Robben Island warden during Mandela's incarceration.
In trying to stop their sale, the authorities claimed these items were part of the country's heritage and therefore legally protected from export.
The South African Heritage Resources Agency (Sahra) first learned about the potential sale in a British newspaper article in late 2021, alleging that the key would go for more than £1m ($1.35m).
Other items in the lot include a signed copy of the 1996 South African Constitution, a charcoal drawing by Mandela, an ID card, a tennis racquet used on Robben Island, and gifts from world leaders, including Barack and Michelle Obama.
Makaziwe Mandela expressed her intent to use proceeds from the sale to create a memorial garden at her father's grave in Qunu, Eastern Cape.
The ruling from the Supreme Court of Appeal stated that Sahra's interpretation of which items fell under the National Heritage Resources Act was overly broad. It also noted that while Makaziwe described why her assets were not heritage objects, Sahra did not sufficiently justify its claims.
Makaziwe welcomed the decision, criticizing the heritage agency for assuming knowledge of her father's last wishes that should belong to his family. She emphasized that "nobody is more invested in ensuring Tata's legacy endures" than his immediate family.
Supporters of the government's stance argue that Mandela's items should remain in South Africa for future generations. Conversely, some believe his family should have the final say over the items.
Mandela passed away in 2013 at the age of 95 after leading the African National Congress in the fight against apartheid and becoming South Africa's first democratically elected president in 1994.
