Items belonging to anti-apartheid campaigner Nelson Mandela have been put up for auction.
The decision has sparked a huge row in South Africa after some people put pressure on the Government to step in to stop the sale of the “priceless” possessions.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who served as Secretary-General of the African National Congress under Mandela, is trying to stop a controversial auction of 70 personal items.
The items include a set of hearing aids, an ID card, gifts from world leaders and some of Mandela’s clothing.
Former South African President Nelson Mandela died in 2013
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The ex-South African President’s eldest daughter Makaziwe Mandela is auctioning the items in the US.
South African law stipulates items considered part of national heritage cannot be taken overseas.
The South African Heritage Resources Agency, a Government body charged with protecting the nation’s history and culture, filed an appeal to block the listing.
Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa is supporting the appeal, saying it was backing the case "for the sake of maintaining the country's rich heritage".
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Dr Maki Mandela, eldest daughter of Nelson Mandela, is auctioning the items in the US
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He also claimed blocking the sale was necessary as Mandela is “integral to South Africa’s heritage”.
Kodwa added: "It is thus important that we preserve the legacy of former President Mandela and ensure that his life's work experiences remain in the country for generations to come."
Pretoria first voiced opposition to the auction when it was first announced in 2021.
The auction, which was planned for 2022, was cancelled as a two-year legal battle followed.
South Africa's Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa is supporting the appeal, saying it was backing the case "for the sake of maintaining the country's rich heritage"
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The South African High Court gave Mandela’s daughter the go-ahead to sell the items last month.
It disputed the argument the items were part of the nation’s heritage.
However, Kodwa is pushing against the auction by citing "the unpermitted export for exhibition or sale" of the items.
The auction has been scheduled for January 22 but it remains unclear if the recent appeal will halt the sale.
The New York-based Guernsey's auction house claimed Mandela’s hearing aids could sell for £16,000 and one shirt could go for as much as £55,000.
One of Mandela's shirts could fetch up to £55,000
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Mandela’s daughter did not respond to the latest opposition.
The family of the former South African President and the Nelson Mandela Foundation also opted against responding.
However, Makaziwe Mandela previously claimed the proceeds from the auction will go towards setting up a memorial guardian near her late father’s burial site.
Mandela died in 2013 at the age of 95 after leading the ANC’s struggle against apartheid.
His campaign against legally enforced racism resulted in him spending 18 years behind bars on Robben Island before being moved to Pollsmoor Prison.
Mandela won the Rainbow Nation’s first democratically held election in 1994 and served as its President for another five years.
