The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has launched two commemorative circulation coins celebrating the remarkable contributions of South African women to the country’s history and struggle for freedom.
The coins honour Charlotte Maxeke’s groundbreaking achievement and the 1956 Women’s March, which saw more than 20 000 women march to the Union Buildings against apartheid pass laws. The launch forms part of the Milestones of Freedom programme.
One of the R2 coins commemorates 125 years since Charlotte Maxeke became the first Black South African woman to graduate with a university degree. She obtained her degree from Wilberforce University in the United States in 1901.
The coin’s design features Maxeke’s profile and draws inspiration from the beads she wore during her early years. The second coin commemorates the 70th anniversary of the historic 1956 Women’s March. SARB says the coins are the first South African circulation coins to feature women.
Speaking at the launch, SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago reflected on the barriers Maxeke faced at the time, saying: “For a black woman at that time, access to higher education was not simply limited; it was almost unimaginable.”
Kganyago described Maxeke’s 1901 graduation as an extraordinary achievement and a direct challenge to the legal, social, economic and cultural barriers imposed on Black people, particularly Black women.
The commemorative coins are intended to keep these historic stories in circulation, allowing South Africans to carry reminders of the women whose courage, leadership and determination helped shape the country’s journey towards freedom and equality.
The launch also comes as South Africa marks Women’s Month, placing renewed focus on the achievements and sacrifices of women who helped open doors for future generations.
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