The South African Mint has released a new R2 commemorative circulation coin, themed ‘Freedom of Movement and Residence’, into circulation as part of its coin programme commemorating 25 years of South Africa’s democracy.
The SA25 coin series, themed ‘Celebrating South Africa’, features five commemorative R2 circulation coins, a commemorative R5 coin and three collectable coins in gold, silver and bronze alloy.
Freedom of movement and residence was heavily restricted by the government during the Apartheid era in its pursuit of racist policies.
When thousands of people gathered in Sharpeville on 21 March 1960 to protest the detested pass laws of the apartheid regime that forced all black South Africans to carry a pass book, the dreaded dompass used as an oppressive tool to control their movement, police shot and killed 69 protesters and many others in different parts of the country. The following week, Nelson Mandela burned his pass in protest of the atrocities at Sharpeville.
Designed by artist Rasty Knayles who is regarded as a pioneer of the local graffiti movement, the right is symbolised by a plane, a bird holding a key, and a minibus taxi on the reverse (tails) side of the coin. The obverse (heads) side features the national coat of arms together with the date of issue, ‘2019’, and the words ‘South Africa’ written in English along with ‘Afrika-Dzonga’ in Xitsonga.
Knayles likens freedom to a bird, a complete embodiment of being free to move around and reside anywhere in the country. The weaver bird is a reflection of an average South African; hardworking, cheerful and respectful to fellow beings. The key symbolises a passport, a prized document which guarantees any person holding it free access across borders and freedom to return home, and above all, which serves as an infallible South African identity.
The minibus taxi is a form of transport used by millions of South Africans and the passenger plane highlights economic activity in the country as well as movement.
All the SA25 commemorative circulations coins issued by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and the South African Mint, including the collectable range, use a common typeface created by Garth Walker for the Constitutional Court. The typography as reflected on the commemorative coinage was created in 2003/04 as a unique wayfinding system font for the Constitutional Court of South Africa. Garth Walker is credited for the layout of the R5 coins using his typeface.
At the unveiling of the SA25 series coins, Tumi Tsehlo, the South African Mint Managing Director said, “Our struggle for democracy has hardly any parallel, and I can say the same about our constitution. It is regarded as one of the most progressive in the world guaranteeing rights to all residents. The theme serves to remind all South Africans that we have come a long way.”
Tsehlo adds, “In issuing circulation coins in honour of our constitutional democracy, the South African Mint is helping to preserve the memory of all South Africans who collectively fought for freedom for all, even at great personal costs.”
The commemorative coins are introduced in phases, with the coin themed ‘Freedom of Movement and Residence’ being the fourth in the series – this will be followed by the final R2 which goes by the theme ‘Freedom of Religion, Beliefs and Opinion’ in August, together with the new R5 coin.
A special collector’s folder has been created for coin enthusiasts and can be collected at no cost from the South African Mint’s retail store in Centurion, as well as the various other outlets mentioned on the SA25 website.
South Africans have been encouraged to find, collect and keep these special SA25 circulation coins released over the past few months.
The SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago announced the SA25 range of commemorative circulation coins last month as part of the celebrations to mark 25 years of SA’s constitutional democracy. The SARB would like to reiterate that the new commemorative circulation coins, like all other circulation coins, are ‘normal’ circulation coins that are only worth their face value – R2. The SARB issues commemorative circulation coins as part of its currency production function.
The South African Mint also launched special edition collector’s sets which include all the circulations coins, the R50 silver and the R50 bronze alloy collectable coins. The sets and collectable coins can also be purchased as individual coins from the South African Mint’s retail outlets, listed on the SA25 website: www.sa25.co.za.
Picture: SA Mint/Instagram