- A superb miniature cricket bat signed by Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk
The bat measures approx. 12 inches and comes attractively framed.
Signed handsomely in large, bold ink by Nelson Mandela (president of South Africa 1994-1999) and FW de Klerk (state president of South Africa 1989-1994).
The two men received the Nobel Peace prize in 1993 for ending apartheid in South Africa.
Mandela-signed cricket bats are incredibly rare.
Mandela had a close relationship with cricket.
As a young man, Mandela played cricket at the University of Fort Hare. He would also watch touring sides from a segregated area, the one part of the ground where non-Europeans were allowed.
While incarcerated on Robben Island Mandela would watch cricket being played just beyond the prison walls.
As president, he used cricket to unite the country, and Mandela’s force of personality earned South Africa an invite to the 1992 World Cup.
Mandela encouraged South Africans of all races to support the national team, helped by star black players Makhaya Ntini and Paul Adams.
As such, this bat is a powerful remembrance of the importance cricket played in Mandela's life and in establishing a reconciled South Africa.
The bat has strong authenticity.
Nelson Mandela is thought to have signed the bat circa 2000.
F.W. de Klerk subsequently signed the bat in early 2001 at the London home he shared with his second wife, Elita Georgiades.
De Klerk signed it at the behest and in the presence of a friend of his step-daughter's.
The friend donated it to Sussex preparatory school Brambletye where it was auctioned at their summer ball in June 2001. It raised money for the Sparrow Schools charity, a British charity that supports disadvantaged school children in Johannesburg, South Africa.
It is likely Mandela signed the bat in full knowledge it would be auctioned for Sparrow Schools. He was a supporter of the charity and spoke at their fundraising events.
Charity sale
All proceeds from the present sale support Clifton College’s 1970 Invicti Fund for pupils from less affluent backgrounds. The fund provides financial support to help talented sportsmen and women attend training camps and tours.
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