13 Facts About Ismail Ayob

Ismail Ayob was involved in a much-publicised series of disputes with Nelson Mandela.

Ismail Ayob was one of the few people who were allowed to visit Nelson Mandela while he was imprisoned on Robben Island.

Ismail Ayob was asked by Nelson Mandela in May 2005 to stop selling certain prints signed by Mandela and to account for the proceeds of the sales of these prints in a prominently publicised application to the High Court of South Africa.

Ismail Ayob responded that he never sold any prints but had acted only in a professional capacity as attorney and agent for Mandela and his family.

In terms of the written contracts, Ismail Ayob was to receive royalties due to the Mandela family.

Ismail Ayob denied any wrongdoing, and declared that he was the victim of a smear campaign orchestrated by Mandela's advisors, in particular lawyer George Bizos.

Nelson Mandela stated under oath that despite many requests, Ismail Ayob refused to draw up a will.

Ismail Ayob declared that it was an issue of guilt or innocence.

In 2006, the two remaining trustees of the Nelson Mandela Trust launched an application against Ismail Ayob for disbursing money in terms of the trust deed without their express consent.

Ismail Ayob explained these disbursements included money that was paid to the South African Revenue Service, to the children and grandchildren of Mandela, Mandela himself, and to an accounting company for four years of accounting work.

Ismail Ayob attended the Methodist Coloured School until the age of 14, when he was sent to Pretoria to continue his schooling at the Pretoria Indian Boys High School, as schools in his area were closed to him because of his race.

Ismail Ayob is married to Zamila Ayob and they have one son, Zayd Ismail Ayob, who is his law partner.

Ismail Ayob moved to London, where he attended the London School of Economics and read law.