Nelson Mandela

The 10 Luxuries of the Saxon Hotel

The Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas & Spa is a celebrated Johannesburg hotel which is well-known to luxury travelers as one of the finest boutique hotels in not just South Africa, but the world. The Saxon has hosted Oprah Winfrey, the Black Eyed Peas, Shakira and Kevin Spacey (how's that for a diverse sampling?) and features a distinguished collection of African art worth approximately 6.5 million South African rand (over $925,000).

If the art doesn't sway your fancies, the history will. The Saxon, a Leading Small Hotels of the World and Virtuoso member, was the private residence of insurance giant Douw Steyn until the year 2000. Nelson Mandela famously stayed there after his release from prison, and it was there that he edited his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. The former South African president continues to visit The Saxon today, reportedly every year around the same time -- but naturally, they're not saying when.

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Morgan Freeman's 46664 Bangle Sells For One Million South African Rand

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Charity

The custom "46664" bangle worn by actor Morgan Freeman during this year's Academy Awards sold for one million South African rand (around $137,000) during the World Cup this year. Freeman was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Nelson Mandela in the movie "Invictus." The 46664 bangles support the 46664 campaign, which continues Mandela's charity efforts and humanitarian work, including the prevention of HIV/AIDS globally. The numbers represent Mandela's Robben Island prison number (466) and imprisonment year (1964).

Freeman's bespoke emerald and black diamond platinum 46664 Bangle was designed by Sabine Roeber. The bangle went to Julian Frame, a South African businessman who is the joint founder and chief executive officer of the South African sports lifestyle retail chain The Cross Trainer. His company was established the same year as the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the event that inspired "Invictus" and The Cross Trainer supplied rugby jerseys for supporters of the event. All auction proceeds went to the Nelson Mandela Foundation and will be used to fund projects associated with HIV/AIDS. National Jeweler reports that Frame plans to take the bangle abroad and show it to those inspired by Mandela.

The 46664 bangles are available on TheBangle.com in copper for $24.95, pure silver with a copper inlay for $199, 18K gold for $7,700, 24K gold for $8,600 and platinum for $15,870.

Tags: 46664, 46664 bangles, 46664Bangles, Morgan Freeman, nelson mandela

Morgan Freeman Wears Bespoke 46664 Bangle to the Oscars

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Celebrity Shopping, Charity

46664 Bangles for Nelson Mandela Charity

46664 Bangles are taking the fashion and celebrity scene by storm because not only are they interesting and stylish but they support a good cause -- like the luxury version of a plastic Live Strong bracelet. The precious metal bangles support the 46664 campaign, which is an African response to the global HIV/AIDs epidemic and gets its inspiration from the leadership of Nelson Mandela, and its name from Mandela's Robben Island prison number (466) and imprisonment year (1964).

The bangle program has received renewed interest and attention after Morgan Freeman, nominated for his portrayal of Mandela, wore his bespoke emerald and black diamond 46664 Bangle to the Oscars recently. He's rumored to never take it off but also says he'll be auctioning it off at some point to further support the cause. The bangles come in a range of prices from $23.95 for copper all the way up to $12,900 for the platinum model.

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Tags: 46664 bangles, 46664Bangles, bangles, charity, morgan freeman, MorganFreeman, nelson mandela, NelsonMandela

Nelson Mandela's 46664 Foundation, Charity of the Day

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Charity, Charity of the Day

The 46664 Foundation, named after the number former South African President Nelson Mandela wore while imprisoned for 27 tears, aims to raise awareness and to educate people about the global HIV/AIDS crisis. The campaign began in 2003, when Mandela realized that to reach the youth of the world he needed to engage the support of the people who most appeal to them. Mandela, supported by Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen, and Bono (natch), persuaded more than 30 of the world's top artists to come together to perform at a global awareness concert for HIV/AIDS in Cape Town.

Mandela will be 90 this year, and to celebrate, as well as to raise funds for 46664, there will be a global launch of limited-edition 46664 wrist bangles during the birthday celebrations in London on June 27. The goal is to create jobs as well as bring at least R1-billion (R=South African Rand, equal to $0.12587 on June 23) to the fight against HIV/Aids. Offered will be 90 platinum bangles (at the cost of R135 660 each), 90 24-carat gold bangles (R67 260), 466 18-carat gold bangles (R54 948) and 46,664 silver bangles (R1 995). The initiative will be a South African effort using metals from local suppliers, the skills of local craftsman and domestic suppliers from the tooling, machining and packaging industries. At least 60 percent of revenues from the sale of bangles will go to the 46664 HIV/Aids prevention campaign.

You can donate directly to 46664 here.

Tags: 46664, aids, aids awareness, aids in africa, AidsAwareness, AidsInAfrica, charity, charity of the day, CharityOfTheDay, hiv, HIVAIDS, Nelson Mandela, NelsonMandela, south africa, SouthAfrica

Nelson Mandela to Defend De Beers

by Anne Metz (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Celebrity Shopping

When Marilyn Monroe sang, "There may come a time when a lass needs a lawyer, but diamonds are a girl's best friend," she probably never thought that the diamond, not the girl, would ever need a good defense.

De Beers, the largest purveryor of a girl's best friend, has recruited none other than South African activist Nelson Mandela to be the new best friend of the diamond industry.

Diamond executives are growing nervous about a new movie called The Blood Diamond, which is scheduled for release in January, 2007. The film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Connelly, tells the story of two South Africans, a mercenary and a fisherman during the savage Sierra Leone civil wars. During this conflict, rebels seized mines to sell "conflict" or "blood diamonds."

But will the PR effort work?

I guess it's hard to say. One thing is certain, Moissanite executives have probably already singing, "There may come a time when a girl needs a lawyer, but laboratory-produced-diamonds are an girl's best friend."

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Tags: debeers, diamonds, films, moissanite, Nelson Mandela, NelsonMandela