Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
18:39 CAT

Image: SARB

The South African Reserve Bank has officially launched the country’s latest print and mint of notes and coins, adding enhanced security features and new designs celebrating the country’s Heritage.

News24 reported that the security features include watermarks that also feature a picture of the Big Five animals appearing on the banknote. There will also continue to be specific physical characteristics to help visually impaired people differentiate the banknotes from one another.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the SARB stated that the notes would be available from Thursday.

“The broad themes for the upgraded bills remain the same and continue to pay homage to South Africa’s first democratically voted president, Nelson Mandela, with his portrayal retained on the front of the banknotes while the Big five animals are now illustrated as a family on the reverse.”

Image: SARB

“While the theme for the coin is deep ecology, which celebrates the interconnectedness of humans and other living organisms as an integral part of the environment,” the Reserve statement said.

Image: SARB

The note colouring is also marginally deeper – specifically the R50 notes, which lean further towards purple than the pink colouration previously.

Image: SARB

SARB says updating the bank notes and coins is to constrain counterfeiting. It says notes should be updated every six to eight years, while coins need to be updated every 20 to 30 years. It also said the current banknotes and coins in the market are still good for trade.

“The upgraded banknotes and fourth decimal coin series will co-circulate with the current series and retain the same value per denomination.”