2016-05-10 Tue

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was sworn in as the first black president of South Africa on 9th May 1944. He served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.

Mandela was a South African activist and a global advocate for human rights who helped bring an end to apartheid. He was the country's first black chief executive and was the first person to be elected in a fully representative democratic election.

In 1963, Mandela was brought to stand trial for plotting to overthrow the government by violence. During his years in prison, Nelson Mandela's reputation grew steadily. He called Mahatma Gandhi to be his inspiration. Nelson Mandela was released on February 18, 1990. When Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990, India conferred him with the Bharat Ratna. Mandela remains till date the only foreign national to have been awarded the Bharat Ratna.

He received more than 250 honours, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Soviet Lenin Peace Prize.

Since 2012 Nelson Mandela appears on the obverse of the wildlife series banknotes (the Big Five) of the South African Reverse Bank.

Nelson Mandela along with his inspiration, Mahatma Gandhi, appears on a 20 grams gold plated sterling silver T20 Toss-Coin. This coin was released as a part of the Freedom Series.

Pobjoy Mint on behalf of Sierra Leone issued in 2004 a $50 and $500 gold proof coin to commemorate the presidency of Nelson Mandela from 1994 to 1999, both the coins feature the words "a better life for all", a quote from his election victory speech.

To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the South African reserve Bank a special bi-metal (silver and gold) R5 coin was minted with the portrait of Nelson Mandela.