Some 30 items linked to Nelson Mandela 'clearly of cultural significance' - SAHRA lawyers

JOHANNESBURG - Lawyers for the South African Heritage Resource Agency say some 30 items linked to former president Nelson Mandela that they’re trying to wrest control of are “clearly of cultural significance”.
 
The agency was back before the High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday to try and appeal a December ruling dismissing its application for an interdict barring the items in question.

They include what’s believed to be the key to Mandela’s Robben Island prison cell from going under the hammer in New York.
 
Despite the court’s findings to the contrary, the agency still maintains that they are heritage objects that Mandela’s daughter, Makaziwe Mandela-Amuah together with his ex-gaoler-turned-friend Christo Brand shipped out of the country illegally.
 
Advocate Robin Pearse had this to say in court on Wednesday.
 
"The matters that are closely related to the former president and his former gaoler and his eldest daughter - those objects are clearly of cultural significance and of value to this generation and to the next."
 
Pearse said further that they were selected for auction, which in and of itself underscores their importance.
 
"Importantly, these are items that were consigned by the first and fourth respondents for sale in an auction titled 'The Nelson Mandela auction'. They were selected as it were by these respondents as items of significance and interest such as they would garner attention in an international market."