Nelson Mandela’s personal items under the hammer in New York? Why it outraged some, and what’s at stake
AN identity document, a pair of reading glasses, a hearing aid and a pair of worn shoes. These are just some of Nelson Mandela’s personal items that were due to go on auction on 22 February 2024. A month before the auction was due, the New York-based Guernsey’s auction house put a notice on its website that it was suspending the sales. No explanation was given. DUANE JETHRO, Lecturer Department of African Studies and Linguistics, University of Cape Town The initial news of the auction caused outrage. South African government officials, commentators on South African social media, and even members…