Politics

New Madiba banknotes go into circulation to mark 100th birthday

By phumlani·

Commemorating leader’s birthdays using money seem to be an “in” thing these days in the Southern African region as South Africa is yet to release new coins and banknotes in commemorating 100th birthday of former President Nelson Mandela. The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is launching a commemorative series to celebrate the late legend Nelson [ ]

Commemorating leader’s birthdays using money seem to be an “in” thing these days in the Southern African region as South Africa is yet to release new coins and banknotes in commemorating 100th birthday of former President Nelson Mandela.

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is launching a commemorative series to celebrate the late legend Nelson Mandela who was born on July 18 1918 in Mvezo in the Eastern Cape.

According to the Times Live (South African online publication), the series will include a new commemorative R5 coin‚ and R10‚ R20‚ R50‚ R100 and R200 banknotes. “As part of the preparations for the launch‚ test packs of the commemorative banknotes were made available to members of the broader cash industry to allow them to make adequate preparations‚” the SARB said to Times Live. They further clarified that the new designs of the coins and note bank is yet to be released ahead of the launch on July 1 to avoid confusion and speculation.

The Kingdom of Eswatini that also uses Rands (South African currency) as legal tender released its own E5 coins that commemorates the 50 years of the country’s Independent and 50 years of His Majesty King Mswati’s birthday. The coins were designed by one Mlando Motsa, a 14-year-old pupil from Mhlatane High school has a picture of His Majesty and is still written Swaziland despite the country’s name change from Swaziland to Eswatini.