Mandela Foundation denies claim

JOHANNESBURG — A new self-serving book by a central African president lists Nelson Mandela as the writer of the glowing foreword, but South Africa’s iconic leader says he never wrote those words or even read the tome, and his foundation vowed to take action.

Multimedia

Photoview all photos

"We condemn this brazen abuse of Mr. Mandela’s name,” Verne Harris, acting chief executive of the Johannesburg-based Nelson Mandela Foundation, said in a statement Tuesday.

The as-told-to political biography by Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou-Nguesso is titled "Straight Speaking for Africa,” and the front cover claims in large type that Mandela penned the foreword.

Amazon.com, one of the book’s sellers, says in a blurb that the foreword praises Sassou-Nguesso as "one of our great African leaders.”

Leave a Comment

News Photo Galleriesview all

Emergency Equipment

View pictures of equipment purchased by Oklahoma agencies to use during a disaster.

12 photos

Norman Depot celebrates 100 years

The railroad station hosted a concert as part of it's celebration.

12 photos

Cancer Cosmetics: Friday, Nov. 13, 2009

Cancer patients learned make-up and cosmetic tips from Johnson during a session at Integris Baptist Hospital Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 10, 2009.

9 photos

Oklahoma City Fatal Fire: Friday, Nov. 13, 2009

Authorities say five people, including an unborn child, died in a fire at an Oklahoma City home earlier this week.

5 photos

Page 1 of 5

Prev 1 2 3 4 5 Next