SARB honours Youth Day with commemorative R2 and R5 coins
· The South African
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is set to launch commemorative circulation R2 and R5 coins in honour of the 1976 Soweto Uprising.
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On 16 June 1976, thousands of black school students peacefully marched on the streets of Soweto in protest of Afrikaans being added to the curricula of township schools. However, police officers shot and killed many of these students.
In memory of this event, and to honour the youths who stood up against the apartheid regime, 16 June is officially recognised as “Youth Day”.
YOUTH DAY COMMEMORATION
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising. As such, SARB has issued circulation coins to commemorate the event.
These coins will officially enter circulation on Youth Day itself, which is this coming Tuesday, 16 June 2026.
Take a look:
The commemorative R2 coin. Image: Government Printing Works The commemorative R5 coin. Image: Government Printing WorksCELEBRATING EDUCATION
As you can see, the R5 coin features additional symbols alongside the one represented on the R2 coin.
This is because SARB is launching R2 coins commemorating three other occasions:
- The 125th anniversary of political activist Charlotte Maxeke’s graduation.
- The 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March to the Union Buildings.
- The 30th anniversary of the Constitution of South Africa.
The R5 will feature the symbols seen on these R2 coins.
The commemorative R2 coin for Charlotte Maxeke. Image: Government Printing Works The commemorative R2 coin for the Constitution’s 30th anniversary. Image: Government Printing Works“These commemorations highlight the role of education in advancing constitutional values and promoting inclusive social and economic participation,” says SARB.
Maxeke’s graduation is also pertinent to this theme of education. In 1903, she graduated from Wilberforce University in Ohio, USA, with a Bachelor of Science degree. In the process, she earned the distinction of being the first black woman in South Africa to graduate with a university degree. Returning to Mzansi, Maxeke became a major anti-apartheid figure and champion for women’s rights.
COINING IT
The South African Mint has released many commemorative circulation coins over the years.
Their ever-growing collection includes the 2018 coin celebrating the centenary of late president Nelson Mandela, a 2011 coin marking SARB’s 90th anniversary and a 1994 coin honouring Mandela’s inauguration (all in R5 denominations).
In other news, the South African Mint has launched its multi-million-rand coin collection – read all about it here!