new banks notes

Mandela notes

On Tuesday, the 7^th of November 2012 the new Mandela notes were released to the public after it was announced this year on the 22^nd anniversary of Mandela’s release after serving 27 years in prison.

No one can deny all that Madiba has achieve, being the first Black president of South Africa, the Nobel peace prize etc. We all know about his unselfish act of heroism, saving millions of South Africans, giving us equal rights and ending apartheid. Oh yes, no one can deny that.

Former president Nelson Mandela is seen as the one symbol of freedom, democracy and humans to people all over the world especially South Africans.

There have been roads, a bridge, Universities and building named after him. Mr Nelson Mandela even has a statue right in the middle of Sandton. Now to add on his achievements, he is also the first Black person to bear an image on South African bank notes.

Wow!

Many South Africans like myself do not understand why, why did they have to design the new notes with Nelson Mandela on it. We get it that they wanted to show tribute to Madiba, but why now?

To my surprise, the ANC also doesn’t agree with the design of the bank notes. President Jacob Zuma was reported to have said, “I asked Mandela to look to one side not straight ahead so that do not feel like he is looking at me, judging me”.

Personally I don’t like the design of the new bank notes, solely because it has Madiba’s face on it. Throughout the years he has been acknowledged, celebrated and adored by South Africans and it is enough. When the man sneezes the whole word goes into panic mode, like really, it’s as if he is a God.  There had been many people who had been locked up in prison, people who also risked their lives for freedom, students who were part of the war and died, and families who lost their fathers and sons during the whole. What I do not understand is why he has to be the only one notable.

Is it because the likes of Walter Sisulu have passed on?

What has the world come to isn’t it enough that we have “the Mandela challenge, Mandela road, Mandela Bay, Mandela drive, Mandela University, Mandela coins and Mandela museum.  How much more can we take, even Jesus was never celebrated like this.

How much more should we do to show tribute!

It is clear that the South African civil society is now represented by a retired politician.

I am nobody and besides this blog, I have no other means of having my opinions and views heard. I will just have to accept it and live with it silently. 

For all of you who haven’t heard about the new security features, they include a spark colour-changing ink, a clear image of Madiba, watermark image of him and embossed lines on the sides.

My work here is done!