Nelson Mandela’s name exploited
Foundation appeals to people to respect Founder’s name
8 September 2008
Sept 8, 2008 – The Nelson Mandela Foundation is making an appeal to people to stop exploiting the name of its Founder, Nelson Mandela.
“While Mr Mandela’s name is protected by law, and we expect people to respect the law, there is an equally great moral imperative for people to cease exploiting his name for commercial gain,” said Achmat Dangor, Chief Executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. “He has repeatedly asked that his name be used only by charitable organisations of his choice.”
The Foundation has recently been made aware of a 24-carat black diamond called the “Madiba Diamond” apparently purchased by a Mr David Linsley of the Guernsey-based Sirius Investment Management company. The diamond is ostensibly the first purchase of the company, which will be launched in 2009.
“Mr Mandela is a champion of democracy and human rights not only in South Africa but the world over,” said Dangor. “To use his name in such a crassly commercial manner as this ‘diamond’ proposal trivialises not only his leadership and sacrifice but that of the millions of others who gave their lives and livelihoods in the name of what is good and right.”
