Under no circumstances will Madiba’s cell be auctioned, says Robben Island

Robben Island Museum says under no circumstances will it consider auctioning off a night in former president Nelson Mandela’s prison cell. 

The auction is being organised by South Africa’s annual CEO SleepOut campaign. 

It is offering the winning bidder the opportunity to spend one night in Mandela’s cell on the island.  

The museum’s Morongoa Ramaboa says they are saddened by the attempt to exploit the legacy of the late former statesman.

“As a World Heritage Site, Robben Island Museum would under no circumstances consider auctioning Madiba’s cell," says  Ramaboa.

Ramaboa adds the preservation of the South African heritage is non-negotiable.

“Initially, the organisers approached us to host their July leg to sleep out on the island. We welcomed their request, and they were expected to follow our internal booking process and then negations were underway. However, the auction or possibility of anyone spending the night in Mandela's cells was never part of it, and no agreement was signed." 

Ramaboa says museum found out about the auction of Mandela's cell through the media and has since reached out to CEO SleepOut to try and clear up the confusion. 

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CEO SleepOut spokesperson, Liane McGowan, says the event was moved to later in the year due to a request from an international organisation and not due to the backlash on social media.

"We are asked if we could move the event to line with a different international even taking place in South Africa later on the year also in honour of Madiba.

"Due to the international interest to ensure we can raise funds for the Prison to College Pipeline who is a secondary beneficiary. They are launching their event in Brandvlei on Madiba's birthday.”

She says the money will help fund for prisoners who want to further their education.

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