Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Nelson Mandela Foundation Accuses Congo President Over Fake Foreword
The Nelson Mandela Foundation has threatened legal action against the president of Congo-Brazzaville after discovering he claimed the foreword of his new book had been penned by the anti-apartheid leader.
The cover of Straight Speaking for Africa by President Denis Sassou-Nguesso proudly proclaims "Foreword by Nelson Mandela". Inside, Mr Mandela. 91, is purported to hail a man who came to power in a coup in 1979 and after losing elections regained power by winning a civil war as "one of our great African leaders".
But the anti-apartheid leader’s foundation, which guards his legacy, said in a statement: "This is a false claim.
"Mr Mandela has neither read the book nor written a foreword for it. We condemn this brazen abuse of Mr Mandela’s name."
CREDIT – telegraph.co.uk