Outrage over charity auction of $300K sleepover in Nelson Mandela's prison cell
Auction of one night in the concrete cell was to mark Mandela's birth anniversary on July 18.
By PTI |
Agencies
JOHANNESBURG: A plan to auction a night in Nelson Mandela's prison cell was condemned today by site officials who said they had no knowledge of the proposed charity "sleepover".
The annual CEO Sleepout initiative had said it was raising funds by auctioning a night in the cell on Robben Island, where Mandela spent much of his 27-year incarceration.
The online auction had already attracted supposed bids of up to $300,000 (256,000 euros), but the plan attracted immediately criticism.
"As Robben Island museum, we strongly condemn this auction. We are saddened that Nelson Mandela's legacy is being exploited in this way," spokeswoman for Robben Island Museum Morongoa Ramaboa told AFP. "As a world heritage site, we would under no circumstances consider auctioning Madiba's cell. The preservation of our heritage is non negotiable."
Event organisers of the CEO SleepOut had advertised the auction of the 8-foot by 7-foot (2.4 metres by 2.1 metres) concrete cell to mark the centenary of Mandela's birthday on July 18. But the lot was removed from the auction website, and a spokeswomen said the event would issue a press release later today.
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The Nelson Mandela Foundation distanced itself from the auction, saying it could not be responsible for the use of Mandela's cell.
Ritz Carlton, Riyadh: A Look At The Golden Gilded Cage
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By Aarti Bhanushali
This hotel became a captive ground for Saudi royals and was reopened recently. Here’s what went behind the ‘five-star’ prison.
(Image: Reuters)
By Aarti Bhanushali
This hotel became a captive ground for Saudi royals and was reopened recently. Here’s what went behind the ‘five-star’ prison.
(Image: Reuters)
By the decree of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 11 princes and ministers were held captive in the hotel.
(Image: AFP & AP)
By the decree of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 11 princes and ministers were held captive in the hotel.
(Image: AFP & AP)
It closed its doors to the public in November last year. Alwaleed bin Talal, the richest man in the Middle East, was one of those rounded up.
(Image: AFP & AP)
It closed its doors to the public in November last year. Alwaleed bin Talal, the richest man in the Middle East, was one of those rounded up.
(Image: AFP & AP)
High-profile prisoners were given five-star rooms as holding cells because it would be considered too ‘demeaning’ to send them to a prison.
(Image: Reuters)
High-profile prisoners were given five-star rooms as holding cells because it would be considered too ‘demeaning’ to send them to a prison.
(Image: Reuters)
In terms of dining choices, the hotel featured an Italian restaurant, Chinese cuisine, and a buffet style joint.
(Image: Reuters)
In terms of dining choices, the hotel featured an Italian restaurant, Chinese cuisine, and a buffet style joint.
(Image: Reuters)
It boasts of 493 guest rooms, including 49 two-bedroom royal suites and 50 one-bedroom executive suites. According to its website, the hotel offers a gentlemen-only spa, a cigar lounge and an indoor pool with floor-toceiling windows, as well as ‘52 acres of lavishly landscaped gardens, spacious and sumptuous accommodations, fine-dining restaurants and 62,000 square feet of elegant event space’.
(Image: Reuters)
It boasts of 493 guest rooms, including 49 two-bedroom royal suites and 50 one-bedroom executive suites. According to its website, the hotel offers a gentlemen-only spa, a cigar lounge and an indoor ..
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The luxury hotel was home to US President Trump and former President Obama when they stayed in Riyadh. It features huge ‘royal suites’ with views of the city, garden and fountains.
(Image: Reuters)
The luxury hotel was home to US President Trump and former President Obama when they stayed in Riyadh. It features huge ‘royal suites’ with views of the city, garden and fountains.
(Image: Reuters)
The phone lines remained disconnected for three months during the arrest operations. Booking inquiries showed that the hotel was not available until February 14. After that, rooms would be booked at the traveller’s own risk.
(Image: Reuters)
The phone lines remained disconnected for three months during the arrest operations. Booking inquiries showed that the hotel was not available until February 14. After that, rooms would be booked at ..
