South Africa has announced the release of new banknotes and coins, representing the country’s first major currency upgrade in more than a decade. The South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) revealed that the changes are aimed at keeping pace with technological advancements and curbing counterfeiting. The new banknotes will continue to feature the image of Nelson Mandela and will depict Africa’s “Big Five” animals with their young. The coins, on the other hand, will feature ecological themes through pictures of plants and animals. All 11 of South Africa’s official languages will also be represented on the new currency.
The upgraded banknotes will have specific physical characteristics to aid visually impaired people. Although there are no changes to the denominations or sizes of the banknotes, existing ones will continue to be legal tender alongside the upgraded notes. The new currency will also be introduced in other countries that use the South African rand as legal tender.
