Key that locked up Nelson Mandela is set to sell for £1MILLION: Robben Island jailer who befriended legendary leader during 27 years in prison puts symbol of apartheid up for auction
A key that kept former South African president Nelson Mandela locked behind bars for almost 20 years is set to fetch more than a million pounds at auction next week.
The key comes from the prison on Robben island near Cape Town where the anti-apartheid campaigner was incarcerated by the white authorities.
It was used by the jailer, Christo Brand, who became his friend, and who is now selling the small metal key more than seven years after Mandela's death.
The key comes from the prison on Robben island near Cape Town where the anti-apartheid campaigner was incarcerated by the white authorities
The two men forged a bond of friendship that continued until Mandela's death in 2013 at the age of 95 and now the key is being auctioned off at a New York sale next week.
Founder and president of the auction house Guernseys, Arlan Ettinger, said today: 'The idea that an ordinary key worth pennies should be so important is extraordinary. But it represents the best and worst of humanity - Mandela was imprisoned unjustly for 27 years and his first jailer was an 18-year-old boy in his first job.
'The guard who was in charge of some of the world's most dangerous prisoners, discovered that Mandela was gentle, kindly and thoughtful man and the pair became good friends - a friendship that lasted the rest of Mandela's life - from prison to presidency.
'What that key symbolises is an extraordinary part of the history not just of South Africa but the world.'
In 1964, Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment at the age of 46, initially on Robben island where he would be kept for 18 years
The key was used by the jailer, Christo Brand, pictured who became Mandela's friend, and who is now selling the small metal key more than seven years after Mandela's death.The auction house has put a reserve of $250,000 (£186,000) but Mr Ettinger says it could well fetch more than a million pounds.
He added: 'We really hope it is not bought by a collector who just wants to own it - it is such a symbolic key that everyone should be able to see it.'
Mandela delivered his famous 'Speech from the Dock' while facing the death penalty on April 20, 1964 - and he ended his speech by saying, 'I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.
'It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die' - words that symbolised his life-long dedication to the fight for equality, as well as the eradication of the South African racist system of apartheid.
Years of unjust imprisonment and a Nobel Peace Prize later, Nelson Mandela voted for the first time in 1994 and in the same year, he became the first democratically-elected President of South Africa.
Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his first 27 years in captivity at the infamous Robben Island but even from inside the prison known for its brutal treatment and inhumane living conditions, Mandela continued to contribute to his reforms outside.
Prison inmates were permitted to write and send just two letters a year but with the help of his fellow inmates and visitors, Mandela managed to smuggle out statements and letters that continued his anti-apartheid movement.
Even while he was incarcerated Mandela fought for inmates' rights and better treatment and as a result of his reforms, he was offered a tennis racket and an exercise bicycle. Both of these are also in the sale.
The key was used by the jailer, Christo Brand (pictured with Mandela in 1998), who became his friend, and who is now selling the small metal key more than seven years after Mandela's death
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