SA mints Mandela birthday R5 coin

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa launched a special coin yesterday as part of celebrations for the 90th birthday of former president and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela.

The central bank said five million of the R5 coins, featuring a smiling portrait of Mandela, would go into circulation on his birthday, July 18. “We want people to touch a bit of Madiba, to share the love and leadership as the coin goes around,” Finance Minister Trevor Manuel said at a ceremonial minting of one of the coins in Johannesburg, standing alongside a seated Mandela.Many South Africans affectionately use the former president’s clan name of Madiba.The beaming Nobel laureate, also flanked by Reserve Bank Governor Tito Mboweni, said he was honoured.”I am a bit richer this morning and I am not going to associate with poor people any more,” he joked, holding up the coin for photographers.”This is very nice.”Nampa-Reuters”We want people to touch a bit of Madiba, to share the love and leadership as the coin goes around,” Finance Minister Trevor Manuel said at a ceremonial minting of one of the coins in Johannesburg, standing alongside a seated Mandela.Many South Africans affectionately use the former president’s clan name of Madiba.The beaming Nobel laureate, also flanked by Reserve Bank Governor Tito Mboweni, said he was honoured.”I am a bit richer this morning and I am not going to associate with poor people any more,” he joked, holding up the coin for photographers.”This is very nice.”Nampa-Reuters