Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Make a gift today and you could win a trip to Portugal!

South Africa Bank Notes Feature Nelson Mandela

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And today's last word in business is Mandela money.

That's Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader and first black president of South Africa. He's now also the first black person to grace South Africa's currency.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Yesterday marked the 50th anniversary of the time he was first sentenced to prison for his fight against white minority rule. And yesterday the country's first Mandela bills - 50 rand notes - were put into circulation by the country's central bank governor. She went to a local shop in the capital, Pretoria.

MONTAGNE: For 160 rand, or about $18, the BBC reports, she bought a watermelon, cucumber and some nuts.

And that's the business news on MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.

INSKEEP: And I'm Steve Inskeep. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.