The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has issued two new two-Rand circulation coins to honour Charlotte Maxeke and the women who led the historic 1956 Women’s March.
The release marks the first time in SA history that commemorative circulation coins explicitly feature women. One coin bears the profile of Charlotte Maxeke, marking 125 years since she became the first black South African woman to earn a university degree. The second coin depicts the crowd of women gathered outside the Union Buildings in Pretoria during the 1956 protest against apartheid pass laws.
Speaking at the official unveiling, SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago pointed out that women’s contributions to the nation’s liberation struggle and history require permanent, visible recognition.
“Too often, women’s leadership, sacrifice, and achievements are overlooked,” Kganyago said. “By placing Charlotte Maxeke and the women of 1956 on our circulation coins, we affirm that women’s contributions are central to the story of SA. The coins remind us that the story of the struggle and liberation cannot be told without acknowledging the women who helped shape it.”
–ChannelAfrica–
