Nelson Mandela honored by Prince Albert at Monaco auction
Published September 3rd, 2007
Nelson Mandela was honored Sunday at an unusual auction in Monaco, where Prince Albert II hailed the anti-apartheid icon as a “beacon” for humanity.
Among items listed for sale were the jersey Carl Lewis wore when winning one of his nine Olympic gold medals, soccer shoes (football boots) worn during last year’s World Cup — and a piece of rock from Robben Island, where Mandela was imprisoned by the apartheid government of South Africa for 18 years.
Proceeds from the auction, organized by Sotheby’s, will go to humanitarian organizations the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and Amade Mondiale. No details of sale prices were released.
The 89-year-old Mandela, walking slowly and escorted by his wife, was greeted at the palace by Princess Caroline and Prince Albert. Guests included Bono, Naomi Cambell and Morgan Freeman.
In a speech, Albert called Mandela the “man who restored Africa’s dignity and became an example for humanity.”
“You are a beacon, one of those rare lights that guide a life,” Albert said, praising Mandela’s efforts to fight poverty, AIDS, drug trafficking and organized crime.
Other objects at the auction included a bedspread handmade from pieces of Mandela’s silk shirts, and a leather drum given to the South African leader by singer Carlos Santana.
Prince Albert also put personal items up for auction, including watches and paintings.
