A South African court has dismissed an appeal by the country's heritage body to stop the sale and export of various artefacts connected to anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela.

The 70 personal items include a cell key from Robben Island, where Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of the 27 years he was locked up, a pair of Aviator sunglasses and one of his signature floral shirts. They were due to be exported to the US for auction.

The objects belong to his eldest daughter, Makaziwe Mandela, and Christo Brand, a Robben Island warden during Mandela's incarceration.

In attempting to halt their sale, the authorities claimed these items were part of the country’s heritage and legally protected from export.

The South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) was first notified of the potential sale through a British newspaper article from late 2021, which estimated the key to fetch over £1 million ($1.35 million).

SAHRA subsequently contacted the US auction house, Guernsey, urging it to suspend the sale and return the items to South Africa.

Other items in the collection included a signed copy of the 1996 South African Constitution, one of Mandela's charcoal drawings, an ID card, a tennis racquet used on Robben Island, and gifts from world leaders, including one from former US President Barack Obama.

Makaziwe Mandela plans to use the sales proceeds to establish a memorial garden at her father’s grave in Qunu, in Mthatha, Eastern Cape province.

The Supreme Court of Appeal’s ruling indicated that SAHRA's interpretation of what qualifies as a heritage object was overly broad. The ruling emphasized that while Makaziwe and Brand provided detailed explanations for why their assets were not heritage objects, SAHRA did not substantiate its claims.

It remains unclear if authorities will pursue other legal strategies to prevent the sale. The BBC has reached out to the sport, arts, and culture department for additional comments.

Supporters of the government’s stance argue that items connected to Mandela should be preserved in South Africa for future generations. Conversely, others maintain that it's the family’s decision regarding the fate of these possessions.

Nelson Mandela passed away in 2013 at the age of 95. He was a key figure in the African National Congress's struggle against apartheid and became South Africa's first democratically elected president in 1994.

Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, sharing the honor with then-President FW de Klerk.