South Africa Releases Bank Notes Bearing President Nelson Mandela's Image

[tabatha]

One of the world's greatest statesmen, anti-apartheid activist and the first democratically elected president of South Africa - President Nelson Mandela, 93, has been honoured by his countrymen with his image on the country's bank notes.

His face repaces designs featuring the "big five" safari animals - Cape buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhino. All five notes - 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 rand will now bear Mandela's face on the front.

What a way to honour him and thank God he's still alive to see it!

http://lindaikeji.blogspot.com/2012/02/south-africa-releases-bank-notes.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[David__77]

1. Viva Azania/South Africa!

Great!

[MADem]

2. It's a beautiful banknote...

I have to admit, I'm a little flummoxed at seeing a living person on a banknote. I understand it's intended as an honor, but I am used to the "Dead Presidents" paradigm.

[Guy Montag]

3. being dead or even deserving an honor is out the window in this country

In Eugene, Oregon, they have the Peter Defazio bike bridge -- he's still the 4th Congressional District Congressman here.

The University of Oregon has the Mathew Knight arena because Phil Knight of nike donated much of the money for it. The UO also has the Knight Library, the Knight Law School, etc. I'm sure you see my point.

I'm glad Mr. Mandela is alive to see this honor as he richly deserves it. I also think people like Steve Biko, the father of the Black consciousness movement in South Africa and other anti-Apartheid notables deserve to be honored as well.

The Free South Africa Movement was successful because of the skill, wisdom, corage, intelligence and guts of many fine people there; and none of them should be forgotten.

[MADem]

4. I don't think anyone who was key to the success of the FSA Movement ever will be forgotten.

It's simply a differing paradigm to put living people who aren't autocrats on banknotes. Whatever floats their boat, I'm sure.

The last time I saw live people on banknotes, it didn't end well (Shah of Iran; Saddam Hussein of Iraq).

Of course, they do it with royalty all the time. Abdullah and his dad and granddad are on the Jordanian dinar, and Queen Elizabeth II is all over the Brit currency; coins too. People who are dictators or 'royals' get slapped on the money; it's simply unusual to see someone still living who came from the citizenry (with or without the dramatic backstory of Mandela) to be put on the cash.

That's a slightly different honor than "buying a building" with a big donation so one's name gets slapped up on it; or even earmarking the cash for a bridge or road so it gets named after the legislator who grabbed the cash for the state/district.

[Spider Jerusalem]

5. I guess you've never been to Canada

[MADem]

6. If you follow my conversation, you will see I make a "royal" exception.

I also include despots in my "living person" caveat. Read downthread.

[DURHAM D]

8. Your link has nothing to do with Nelson Mandela.

Please remove it. This type of self-promotion is generally not appreciated. Thank you.