South Africa to issue Nelson Mandela banknotes
25 Feb BBC
South Africa is to issue a complete set of banknotes bearing the
image of its first black president, Nelson Mandela. Mr Mandela, now 93,
was released from prison on 11 February 1990 after 27 years in prison.
President Jacob Zuma said the banknotes were a “humble gesture” to
express South Africa’s “deep gratitude”. Mr Mandela won the Nobel Peace
Prize in 1993 for his campaign against white minority rule (apartheid).
He was elected president the following year.
Known affectionately by his clan name “Madiba”, he has now retired
from public life.
Speaking at the central bank in Pretoria, President Jacob Zuma called
Mr Mandela’s release “the beginning of a new era of hope”. “With this
humble gesture, we are expressing our deep gratitude as the South
African people, to a life spent in service of the people of this country
and in the cause of humanity worldwide,” he said. Advance notice of the
news conference at the central bank had briefly rattled the markets,
jittery about the state of South Africa’s economy.
No date for the release of the new notes has yet been announced.
Production has already begun, but the latest edition of the currency
will only be distributed towards the end of the year.
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