SARB unveils Mandela banknotes

Themed "One of a Kind", the campaign is aimed at educating and raising public awareness of the new banknotes, which will come into circulation before the end of this year.

"We are pleased to issue this new series of banknotes, which reflects South Africa's pride as a nation and pays tribute to a much-loved world icon," said the Reserve Bank governor, Gill Marcus, speaking at the launch of the campaign today.

The front of the banknotes feature an image of South Africa's first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela, while the back of the notes have maintained the "Big Five" animal images that appear on current banknotes. The current and the new banknotes will co-circulate and both are legal tender.

Enhanced features for the visually impaired

Equipped with a unique combination of state-of-the-art security features, the new series of banknotes is amongst the best in the world. Additionally, the banknotes have enhanced features for the visually impaired, including raised print on both sides.

Information about the new banknote series will be widely publicised on television, radio, print media and social media platforms, as well as through a nationwide roadshow to all the nine provinces of the country. The Reserve Bank's head office building in Pretoria has been wrapped with a 25-storey high billboard to create further public awareness of the new banknotes.

Commercial banks and other cash-handling institutions have been sensitised on the new banknotes, while training is currently underway.

For more information about the campaign, go to www.resbank.co.za.