South African flag that flew at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration to be returned to homeland

Flag from Mandela inauguration returning to SA

LONDON — A South African flag that flew during Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as the country’s first black president has been bought by a philanthropist who plans to return it to its homeland.

Bonhams auction house had been due to sell the flag in London on March 24.

But it said Thursday that a deal had been reached with a U.K.-based South African businessman who plans to hand the flag over to the South African government. The sale price and the buyer’s identity were not disclosed.

Bonhams says the 5 foot by 7 1/2 foot (155 centimeter by 230 centimeter) flag was flown from a helicopter above the ceremony in Pretoria on May 10, 1994. It is signed by Mandela, his predecessor F.W. De Klerk and Mandela’s successor, Thabo Mbeki.