Court Clears Way for Sale of Nelson Mandela's Personal Items

Sun Feb 01 2026 13:50:56 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Supreme Court of Appeal in South Africa has dismissed an appeal to block the sale of Nelson Mandela's personal belongings, including a prison key and notable memorabilia.

In a landmark ruling, a South African court has allowed the sale of 70 personal items belonging to Nelson Mandela, including a key from Robben Island, a pair of sunglasses, and his iconic floral shirts. The court dismissed an appeal from the South African Heritage Resources Agency seeking to prevent the export of these items, arguing they were vital to the nation's heritage. The items are owned by Mandela's daughter, Makaziwe Mandela, who plans to use the proceeds for a memorial garden at his grave. This decision has reignited debates about the ownership and significance of historical artifacts.

A South African court has dismissed an appeal by the country's heritage body to stop the sale and export of various artifacts 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.

Authorities have intervened, stating that these items are part of the country's heritage and should be legally protected from export.

The South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) first learned of the auction through a British newspaper article in late 2021, claiming the key could fetch more than £1 million (approximately $1.35 million).

SAHRA contacted the US auction house, Guernsey, to suspend the auction and return the assets to South Africa.

In addition to the key, items in the lot include a signed copy of the 1996 South African Constitution, a charcoal drawing by Mandela, an ID card, and tennis racquets he used in prison, along with gifts from world leaders like former President Barack Obama.

Makaziwe Mandela aims to use the proceeds from the sale to create a memorial garden at her father's grave in Qunu, located in the Eastern Cape province.

The Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that SAHRA's interpretation under the National Heritage Resources Act was overly broad. The ruling further indicated that Makaziwe and Brand had substantiated their claims that their possessions did not constitute heritage objects, while SAHRA did not provide sufficient justification.

It remains uncertain if authorities will pursue additional legal action to block the sale. Some supporters of the government's position argue that items linked to Mandela should remain in South Africa for future generations, while others believe his family should have the autonomy to decide the fate of the artifacts.

Nelson Mandela, who passed away in 2013 at the age of 95, was instrumental in dismantling apartheid and became South Africa's first democratically elected president in 1994.