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Mandela sues ally over art sales

JOHANNESBURG: Once Nelson Mandela and his lawyer, Ismail Ayob, stood shoulder to shoulder in their battle against apartheid. Now, the legendary figures are about to clash in a bitter lawsuit in which the elderly Mandela is battling to preserve the integrity of his name. In a case highlighting how the post-apartheid era's first democratic leader has unwittingly spawned a memorabilia industry, the former President is to sue Mr. Ayob for allegedly passing off his signature and misrepresenting him in the sale of lithographs depicting his years in jail on Robben Island. Mr. Mandela's many admirers are saddened to see his diminishing energy sapped by a lawsuit. Others are dismayed that Mr. Ayob's celebrated career as one of the leading anti-apartheid lawyers is being sullied. Although there is no suggestion of personal gain, sources close to the case say that Mr. Ayob, Mr. Mandela's personal lawyer for more than 20 years and one-time close friend, will be asked to account for about £3 million in allegedly unauthorised sales of a limited series of prints purportedly signed by Mr. Mandela. High-profile buyers of the prints include Oprah Winfrey, David Beckham, Bill Clinton, Samuel Jackson, the Sultan of Oman and Prince Charles. The lawsuit highlights the difficulties facing Mr. Mandela in preventing others, including close associates and even family members, from exploiting his name. Mandela has had to threaten lawsuits to stop his name or image being used on 40 different products, ranging from gold coins to T-shirts. Mr. Ayob expressed surprise at the lawsuit and said: "At no stage have I benefited or done anything improper."

- Guardian Newspapers Limited 2005

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