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NOTED: President Jacob Zuma announced on Saturday the new banknotes from R10 to R200 bearing former president Nelson Mandela's face. The announcement marked the 22nd anniversary of the release of Mandela after he spent 27 years in jail.

 SA'S new banknotes will have Nelson Mandela's image as the main illustration on all notes 

At a presentation at the SA Reserve Bank, along with the bank's governor Gill Marcus and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, Zuma said the use of Mandela's image was part of the recognition of the former president's role in the fight against apartheid, the liberation of the country and that he was recognised as a leader around the world.

"This humble gesture expresses our gratitude for a life spent in the service of this country," he said.

Saturday's date marks the 22nd anniversary of the release of Mandela after he spent 27 years in jail.

Marcus pointed out that the new notes would have enhanced security features, that they would be easier to read by the blind or partially sighted people and would be machine readable.

Marcus said the new banknotes would have similar dimensions to the current notes.

She pointed out that banknotes were only second in importance to a country's national flag.

Gordhan recalled where each of them spent the day Mandela was released - Zuma was in Zimbabwe, Marcus in London, and himself in an underground meeting. " This shows how far we have come as a country Gordhan said."

Marcus apologised for the confusion caused by the somewhat cryptic media invitation sent earlier this week about the press conference, saying there was no intention to mislead.

The current banknotes that depict the big five wild animals would continue as legal tender until they have been replaced by the new design at a date to be announced.

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Thu Jun 20 09:09:14 SAST 2013 ::

Feb 13, 2012

RobinH

This is long overdue.
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Feb 13, 2012

Bdoobs

I'm not a Madiba fan, but its about time they did this. Lets hope these notes will become one of the strongest, I would hat.e to see in ten years time all the bank notes bearing madiba's head becoming a worthless piece of paper.
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Feb 13, 2012

MsKinkyakaKamaSutra

Marcus pointed out that the new notes would have enhanced security features, that they would be easier to read by the blind or partially sighted people and would be machine readable.
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Excuse my ignorance, are the feature going to be "highly defined" in such a way that they can feel Madiba's face or any features on the banknotes or you will incorporate some braile
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Feb 13, 2012

golezwa

so Madiba alone equals the big 5????? everything seems to be turning into being named after the former Statesmen laterly here in RSA. i feel sorry for the rhino, it is really getting distinct, they even poaching it from our R10 note??? It is because of Mr FW De Klerk that Madiba finally got out of prison but De Klerk gets less recognition. if i had powers i would oppose the Madiba face on the notes and leave the big 5 or maybe bring back a R5 note or create R500 note and put Both Mandela and De Klerk
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Feb 13, 2012

PleaseGetReal

golezwa
so Madiba alone equals the big 5????? everything seems to be turning into being named after the former Statesmen laterly here in RSA. i feel sorry for the rhino, it is really getting distinct, they even poaching it from our R10 note??? It is because of Mr FW De Klerk that Madiba finally got out of prison but De Klerk gets less recognition. if i had powers i would oppose the Madiba face on the notes and leave the big 5 or maybe bring back a R5 note or create R500 note and put Both Mandela and De Klerk
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Well Said, I agree 100%
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Feb 13, 2012

Decibels

golezwa
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you were on the right track until you mentioned De Klerk.
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Feb 13, 2012

Zero57

golezwa
so Madiba alone equals the big 5????? everything seems to be turning into being named after the former Statesmen laterly here in RSA. i feel sorry for the rhino, it is really getting distinct, they even poaching it from our R10 note??? It is because of Mr FW De Klerk that Madiba finally got out of prison but De Klerk gets less recognition. if i had powers i would oppose the Madiba face on the notes and leave the big 5 or maybe bring back a R5 note or create R500 note and put Both Mandela and De Klerk.

That's so true. They're now putting the S.A's Illuminati (Mandela) on the State's cash. The end of the earth is so near!! Be warned...
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Feb 13, 2012

T.C.T

This is KA.K now why this government is treating MADIBA as if he is GO.D or JESUS..are we now gonna name everything MANDELA THIS MANDELA THAT?nelson mandela high way nelson mandela that now NOTES?THIS STATE MUST NOT FORCE MANDELA TO PPL yes we recognise the part he played but he was not alone on that fight,im sick and tired about madela news
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Feb 13, 2012

Cowgirl

One would be forgiven to think that Mandela is the only one that contributed to the liberation of this country...enough already of this one good native syndrome.

Hasn't everything been named after him already, whatever happened to all the other struggle heroes, hayi man but then again Zuma seems to think that he is the next madiba which explains his worship tendencies of the man.
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Feb 13, 2012

PleaseGetReal

Decibels
you were on the right track until you mentioned De Klerk.
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What an idiotic comment, obviously you do not know the history, de Klerk did one term, even before 1989 he was already making plans to stop apartheid. He was elected president in 1989, 5 years later apartheid was finished. You have a lot to thank him for
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