JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Former South African leader Nelson Mandela has filed for exclusive rights to his name, prisoner number, clan and tribal names, The Times of London reports.
The 86-year-old champion against apartheid has asked lawyers for the Nelson Mandela Foundation to seek the registrations to end abuses of his name by such unaffiliated businesses as Mandela Guest Lodge, Nelson Mandela Fine Art and Nelson Mandela Panel Beaters.
He also wants to register his widely known prisoner number -- 46664. He had wanted that to be the telephone number for his foundation, but it was already taken by Investgold ICC, one of the country's leading gold-coin dealers which sells its specialty Nelson Mandela gold coins.
After negotiations, Investgold agreed to drop the number, but refused to stop selling Mandela gold coins.
Mandela also wants his clan name Madiba and his Xhosa tribal name Rolihlahla registered. Once that happens, businesses and other organizations will no longer be able to use any of the names or the number, the newspaper said.
