October 20, 2009 – It has come to the attention of the Nelson Mandela Foundation that a book by Denis Sassou Nguesso, the President of the Republic of Congo, claims to have a foreword written by Nelson Mandela. This is a false claim. Mr Mandela has neither read the book nor written a foreword for it.
The book, entitled Straight Speaking for Africa, is published by Michel LaFon and Africa World Press.
The Foundation condemns this brazen abuse of Mr Mandela’s name. We will be taking appropriate action.
Mr Mandela is still overwhelmed by requests to write book forewords. A year ago he indicated he will no longer be agreeing to such requests.