Makaziwe Mandela, daughter of Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former South African president Nelson Mandela, is set to auction some of her father’s personal possessions next month to raise funds for a Mandela Memorial Garden in Qunu, Eastern Cape.

The list of auction items includes Nelson Mandela’s ID book, ten colorful Madiba shirts – including the one he wore when meeting Queen Elizabeth – a pair of Ray-Bans, his reading glasses, the pinstripe suit he was wearing when elected President, and a tennis racquet he used on Robben Island.

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REACTIONS

Makaziwe’s decision to auction her father’s personal belongings has sparked a two-year legal battle between her and the South African government, with the latter citing that 29 of the items are define as heritage objects, and had been illegally exported from the country. However, the High Court in Pretoria recently ruled in favor of Mandela’s daughter, granting permission for the sale of the items.

The auction has garnered global attention, with many questioning the morality of selling a man’s personal possessions for profit. However, Makaziwe has defended her decision, stating that the proceeds from the auction will go towards the Mandela Memorial Garden, which aims to honor her father’s life and teachings, and provide a space for education and community development.

The auction also sheds light on the global phenomenon of celebrity auctions, where people, particularly celebrities or their families, sell off their personal property for exorbitant amounts of money. While some argue that it is a form of exploitation and creates a commodification of a person’s life, others view it as a way of honoring and preserving their legacy.

Ultimately, the auction of Nelson Mandela’s property highlights the complexities of modern-day commemoration and remembrance, and raises important questions about how we choose to honor those who have passed on. Whether it is through physical memorials, financial contributions, or other forms of collective memory, it is important that we remain mindful of the impact of our choices and actions on the lives and legacies of those we seek to honor.

-Afrogazette-