All new SA banknotes to bear Mandela's image - Jacob Zuma

Statement by President Zuma at the Announcement of South African Bank notes to bear Madiba's image, South African Reserve Bank, Pretoria, South Africa

February 11 2012

The Minister of Finance, Mr Pravin Gordhan,
The Governor of the Reserve Bank, Ms Gill Marcus,
Ladies and gentlemen of the media,

Today is a very important day in the history of the democratic South Africa.

On 27 April 1994, South Africans from all walks of life came together and voted for the first time to bring about a free and democratic South Africa.

Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, an icon of our struggle, was elected as the first President of this new democracy, and began leading government and the people of South Africa towards a free, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society.

It was a difficult period. It was an era of uncertainty for all South Africans. At the same time it was a period of great expectations. They wanted to see all their problems of centuries disappearing overnight.

They wanted to see their political freedom translating to tangible socio-economic freedom without delay.

Madiba and the first democratic government brought the nation together, managing the expectations and fears to build one nation.

It needed a president like Madiba to lead a bruised nation like ours on a journey of forgiveness and reconciliation, and he acquitted himself exceptionally well, as he has always done, in every aspect of his life.

Our country has done extremely well in building this young democracy and ensuring stability, because of the foundation that was laid by President Mandela.

Before 1994, President Mandela had led his organisation the African National Congress, which has just celebrated a centenary, in a selfless, committed, dedicated struggle, to free all the people of our country.

This outstanding leader and patriot represents a group of exceptional men and women in our country who demonstrated their unfailing love for this country and its people, even in the face of repression and possible death.

Today, on behalf of Government and the people of South Africa, it is my honour and pleasure, to announce that new South African bank notes will bear the image of President Mandela, the first President of a free, democratic South Africa.

We are happy to make this announcement on the anniversary date of his release from prison, which marked the beginning of a new era of hope for our country and the world.

The South African Reserve Bank is in the process of producing the new bank notes.

It is a befitting tribute to a man who became a symbol of this country's struggle for freedom, human rights and democracy.

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.

The banknotes will make us remember and appreciate our achievements in order to continue the journey towards a more prosperous society.

The Mandela family is today burying the sister of Madiba, makhulu Nokuthamba Mandela in Mqanduli in the Eastern Cape. We extend our deepest condolences on this loss, and wish the family strength.

As we mark this historic day, let us remember Madiba's words in his inauguration address in 1994;

 "We understand it still, that there is no easy road to freedom.

We know it well, that none of us acting alone can achieve success.

We must therefore act together as a united people, for national reconciliation, for nation building, for the birth of a new world''.

We thank Madiba for his love, guidance and leadership at all times.

I thank you.

Issued by The Presidency, February 11 2012

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madiba on banknotes its about time :) by caitlin on February 11 2012, 16:50 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

New Bank notes Not necesari by Nipho on February 11 2012, 21:51 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Bashing of whites in Western Press continues... Bashing of whites in Western Press continues... ... I notice that the bashing of white SAcans in the Western press continues to this day... see Geoffrey York's article in the Canadian Globe and Mail, where he finds an angle to damn white SAcans for . .more archaeological discoveries in Limpopo... http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/africa-mideast/the-return-of-the-golden-rhino/article2334963/ . .less by K on February 12 2012, 00:38 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Bashing of whites in Western Press continues... Bashing of whites in Western Press continues... ... I notice that the bashing of white SAcans in the Western press continues to this day... see Geoffrey York's article in the Canadian Globe and Mail, where he finds an angle to damn white SAcans for . .more archaeological discoveries in Limpopo... http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/africa-mideast/the-return-of-the-golden-rhino/article2334963/ . .less by K on February 12 2012, 00:45 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

New Banknotes I sincerely hope that the new notes will be worth more than the present ones by Exsoutie on February 12 2012, 05:09 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Unemployment This important announcement is a sure fire way of fixing unemployment and so on. by exsoutie on February 12 2012, 05:57 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Not sure ... honour the dead not the living The idea is fine in principle but I feel things like street names and pictures on bank notes should be done to honour the memory of someone who passed away. I don't expect any street in the Western Cape to be named Helen Zille St any time soon - . .more but in years to come, after she has died, a Helen Zille school or something like that in her memory would be very apt. In the same way I don't expect living ANC leaders to be immortalised. It would be very open to abuse if a vain leader with an inferiority complex got into a leadership position. Bad leaders can be replaced. Names of buildings and streets are not so easily changed. . .less by Sad Days on February 12 2012, 08:24 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Real reason for new banknotes Why now? It's just another part of the ANC's centenary celebration, to put the face of their greatest leader on banknotes, at of course the taxpayer's expense. by Pieater on February 12 2012, 08:30 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Public relations triumph This is surely one of the biggest Pubic relations achievements the ANC have managed for years. Every time a bank note is handled the ANC will be advertised. For the less sophisticated it is an endorsement of ANC power... Their overwhelming control of . .more everything, including money. The message is that money/wealth comes from the Gold givers..the ANC. Not you understand from investment, production,services, skills and hard work. . .less by Wendy on February 12 2012, 20:16 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Great move -- Reckless way to have handled the announcement The world does not trust the ANC. That's why the Rand dropped. It is reckless to, on a trading day, announce an upcoming "important" annoucnement concerning the reserve bank that would be made on a non the weekend. Why? For political . .more gain--screw what it does to the Rand. Pravin and Marcus would have told Zuma that, I'm sure. . .less by Honkey on February 13 2012, 06:56 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

mandelamandelamandelaaaaaaaalalalalalaaaaaaaa As long as the Whites pay and being discriminated against - mandela brides, mandela streets, Madela boulevards, Mandela Medical Centres, mandela Hospitals, Mandela airways, mandela schools , Mandela Universities, mandela notes, mandela freedom, mandela . .more equal society, mandelalalalalalaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! . .less by mandelamandelamandelaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!! on February 13 2012, 07:41 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

it is the story of RSA, not white bashing. the golden rhino article refers to the history of this country as it should be recorded, no sugarcoating. it is unfortunate that people like k would take offence and feel ashamed to own up to the perverted actions of their folklore. they should be . .more grateful that the new dispensation also presented everyone the opportunity to break clear of the baggage. . .less by stalwart on February 13 2012, 08:31 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Why all the notes? Without taking anything away from the great man, is it necessary to have his face on all the denominations?? Why can he appear on the 100's and 200's and keep animals on the rest? by Airwolf on February 13 2012, 08:48 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Something to think about - who would a young Mandela vote for today ? Mandela may be appearing on the banknotes but I can say with 100% conviction that if Mandela today was the same age as the fresh faced young lawyer that we see on the bank note image, he would be voting for the DA. Simple as that. He would be appalled at . .more the quality of leaders in today's ANC and their corrupt ethical standards and lack of intellectual thought. . .less by Sad Days on February 13 2012, 10:18 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Who needs Bush Meat? Perhaps it's to prepare the people, both internally and externally to the not so distant time when starting with the rhinos there will be no more wildlife, just to be replaced by tours to the various Mandela mansions and looted Robben (robbers Island . .more Island. . .less by Injala Apera on February 13 2012, 10:35 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The return of the Golden Rhino @K "When the astonishing Golden Rhinoceros was discovered on this arid hilltop in 1933, many whites in South Africa refused to believe that something so exquisite could have been crafted by a black African civilization. It must have been imported from Egypt, . .more or somewhere else, they said." This is the enduring view of white South Africans by other whites in the western media, Europe and the world over. It is little wonder that those that leave and emigrate in the mistaken belief that they are going back home can't cut it and usually come back quietly with their tails between their legs. Read the article below and weep for the motherland. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/africa-mideast/the-return-of-the-golden-rhino/article2334963/page1/ . .less by Veja on February 13 2012, 13:00 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Mandela Mandela loved the ANC and he will never vote DA. Please exept it. Mandela will never be a liberal. You clearly dont know much about the young or the old Mandela. He will never vote DA even if he is angry at some people in the ANC. Please dont . .more try and "outMandela" Mandela. Mandela will die an "freedomfighter". I think the people will fight over the corps of Mr. Mandela. The DA will also join the savage feast in trying to claim Mandela as their "representative" Please read "How to be a good Communist" as a start to understand where Mr. Mandela comes from . .less by Sad Days on February 13 2012, 13:51 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Sorry Sad Days......... I used your name by accident. Truly Sorry by Republican on February 13 2012, 13:53 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@fake Sad Days comment above You are missing the point - I am not talking about today's Mandela - an old man who is a fraction of his former self. No, I am talking about a young Mandela, just qualified as a lawyer, transported by time machine from 60 years ago to 2012. THAT Mandela, . .more looking for a political home for an intelligent lawyer who cares about the future of his country, would look at the ANC and be appalled at the corruption and lack of intelligence. Then he would look at the non racial, dynamic, ideas driven, caring, non corrupt DA and he would, I am 100% sure, based on the sort of moral principles he stood for, feel quite at home with them and would be supporting them. . .less by Sad Days (real one) on February 13 2012, 16:22 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Stalwart and Veja Tpoint is not the golden rhino, it is the framing of the story. The rhino was discovered by Afrikaners, then preserved by Afrikaner academics, who worked to have the site protected for posterity. For that, the author of the piece . .more smear all whites in SA as "whites in South Africa refused to believe that something so exquisite .." when the very existence of the artifact are due to whites no only believed this black origins of the artifacts, but then acting for good and preserving it, rather than destroying it. This kind of anti-white framing by Western journos is the standard approach, I grant you that Mr Veja, but since apartheid is over, and propaganda against whites not needed anymore, perhaps one should consider a human rights complaint for the propagandistic framing in that newspaper (a one-time article would not be good, but I think some further investigation might actually uncover a pattern aimed against an identifiable ethnic group (Afrikanrs) -- this is a big no-no). This particular author and newspaper would not dare demonising Muslims or others in this way in Canada. Also Mr Veja -- you are wrong, few whites return, and those that do planned to do so after they made heaps of money overseas. White SAcans are sought after and successful players wherever they go. Always SA's loss, and someone elses gain . .less by K on February 13 2012, 19:10 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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