Former president Nelson Mandela and the Nelson Mandela Foundation were granted an interdict in the Pretoria High Court on Friday to prohibit Investgold from importing and selling gold coins bearing his image and name.
Investgold, a Johannesburg-based company, was interdicted from marketing, advertising or offering for sale coins that bear Mandela’s image, his name or the slogan ”A better life for all”.
Investgold sought permission from the foundation in October to import 24-carat gold coins minted in the United Kingdom. It intended selling the goods in South Africa at R1 500 for a one-10th-ounce coin and R40 000 for a five-ounce coin.
But the company failed to meet certain conditions set down by the foundation regarding the quality, legality and pricing of the coin.
Judge Nico Coetzee found that the applicants had made out a case for a final interdict and granted a costs order in their favour.
He also ruled that Mandela is entitled to protect his good name and reputation. — Sapa