It has historical facts that cannot be disputed
Speaking to The Times yesterday from Brazzaville, South African ambassador Welsh Makanda said the quotations included in the foreword, which the foundation denied came from Mandela, were all "true", and the suggestion that they were "a lie" has "caused embarrassment for South Africa".
"I have seen the book and the quote myself and I can tell you, the quote is true. There is no distortion of the quotation. It has historical facts that cannot be disputed," Makanda said.
"I don't know where exactly it was taken from, but it is historically true. It has historical facts because it was allegedly taken from one of Mandela's speeches years ago."
On Tuesday, the Nelson Mandela Foundation vehemently denied the former president wrote the foreword for Sassou-Nguesso's 260-page book, Straight Speaking for Africa.
The foreword to the book, published by Michel Lafon and Africa World Press, quotes Mandela saying: "In President Denis Sassou-Nguesso, I recognise a man who is not only one of our great African leaders but also one of those who gave their unconditional support to our fighters' demand for freedom, and who worked tirelessly to free oppressed peoples from their chains and help restore their dignity and hope."
But on Tuesday, the foundation said in a statement: "Mr Mandela has neither read the book nor written a foreword for it ... we condemn this brazen abuse of Mr Mandela's name."
Makanda said Sassou-Nguesso and Mandela enjoyed a good relationship that dates back to the 1980s, and that the 66-year-old president was instrumental in ending apartheid during his tenure as Organisation of African Unity chairman.
The foundation found out about the book on Monday and referred the matter to the South Africa mission in Congo, but yesterday Makanda said he sent an e-mail telling them the quote was genuine.
The Congolese embassy in Pretoria said yesterday they could not comment on the matter because they were still awaiting a response from Sassou-Nguesso's office.
The foundation declined to comment yesterday.
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