I DREW THIS CARTOON for my portfolio in response to what I saw as being an over commercial, heavy handed response to small cottage industries, mostly run by impoverished township dwellers, capitalising where they could on Mandela's name. I felt that Mandela belonged to the people - all of us - who love him, and that trademarking his name was the ill-advised approach of his over zealous capitalistic lawyers.

Years down the line, after seeing how con artists have abused our founding father's name for their own (very gross) profit, I understand the need to protect the intellectual property which makes up the Mandela brand. But I still feel it should not be enforced against the little guy trying to eke out a living, or the artist wanting to make a comment.

I was pleased when The Times newspaper in London picked up the cartoon and published it (hence the date a year lafter drawing it), describing the humour (if not the style) as Brookesian - likening it to the work of their resident cartoonist Peter Brookes. A great compliment.