New 2Rand coins celebrate the courage, leadership and historic achievements of South African women
PRETORIA, Aug 27 — The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has officially launched two new commemorative circulation coins honouring the enduring legacies of pioneering activist and educator Charlotte Maxeke and the women who participated in the historic 1956 Women’s March.
The commemorative coins form part of efforts to preserve and celebrate important chapters in South Africa’s history, while placing the achievements of women at the centre of the country’s national heritage.
One of the new 2Rand coins features the profile of Charlotte Maxeke, commemorating 125 years since she became the first Black South African woman to obtain a university degree.
Maxeke graduated from Wilberforce University in the United States in 1901, an extraordinary achievement at a time when Black South Africans, particularly women, faced severe legal, social, economic and cultural barriers to higher education.
Speaking at the launch, SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago described Maxeke’s achievement as far more than an individual academic milestone.
“For a black woman at that time, access to higher education was not simply limited; it was almost unimaginable,” Kganyago said, highlighting the barriers Maxeke overcame.
He said her graduation represented a direct challenge to the restrictions imposed on Black people and Black women by the authorities and society of the time.
The design of the Charlotte Maxeke coin was inspired by the beads she wore during her early years, adding a cultural dimension to the commemoration.
The second commemorative circulation coin pays tribute to the women of the 1956 Women’s March, remembering their historic mobilisation against apartheid-era pass laws. The march, in which thousands of women gathered in Pretoria, remains one of the most significant demonstrations of women’s resistance in South African history.
Through the new coins, the SARB is bringing these stories of courage, education, leadership and resistance into everyday life, allowing South Africans to carry reminders of the country’s history in their pockets.
The commemorative coins also serve as a reminder of the contribution women have made to South Africa’s social and political development and the importance of preserving their stories for future generations.
The SARB has made further information about the commemorative coins available through its official publications.
Photo: South Africa Reserve Bank
