Mandela Midas touch still in demand

JOHANNESBURG(AFP) — It's a decade since he retired and his public appearances are increasingly rare, but the image of Nelson Mandela is still being worked overtime in the hope it can sprinkle some of his stardust.

As the former South African president and anti-apartheid icon turns 90 this week, his charity foundation has unveiled a whole new range of "Madiba" products while warning off others who attempt to cash in on his name.

In the countdown to his birthday on Friday, a new five rand Mandela coin, limited edition stamps and commemorative bangles have all gone on sale.

And readers who have ploughed through his mammoth "Long Walk to Freedom" autobiography can now now learn about some of his favourite meals in "Hunger for Freedom: The Story of Food in the Life of Nelson Mandela", or even a comic book detailing his life and times.

"He is ...