The key to the Robben Island prison cell, once occupied by Nelson Mandela, will be returned to South Africa after a US auction is canceled. This was announced by South African culture minister Nathi Mthethwa, who had opposed the auction, according to reports from the BBC.
"This key belongs to the people of South Africa and symbolizes the painful history of the country, and also represents the triumph of the human spirit over evil," said the minister, explaining that the Guernsey auction house has agreed to send the key back to South Africa. and also to stop selling other items that belonged to Mandela. Including the painting The Lighthouse, Robben Island,as well as the stationary bike he was allowed to use in prison and a tennis racket.
The key had been put up for sale by Christo Brand, Mandela's former prison guard in the infamous prison, where the two had become good friends.
The auction, which was due to take place in New York on January 28, was scheduled to raise funds for a memorial garden and museum around Mandela's burial site.
Mandela spent 27 years in prison for his fight against apartheid, 18 of them on Robben Island, an island off Cape Town.
