SA, Germany issue joint stamps celebrate Madiba’s 100 years
The miniature stamp sheet contains one stamp at a standard postage rate of R4, 20.
THE German Post and the South African Post Office issued a bilateral stamp issue on 18 July on what would have been the 100th birthday of the late Nelson Mandela.
The photograph for the SA stamp is from the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) Blue Media archives and the stamp was designed by Rachel-Mari Ackermann of the SA Post Office.
The German stamp photo was taken by Paul Weinberg, a South African who was active in the anti-apartheid resistance movement. The stamp was designed by André Heers and Annette le Fort.
There are many parallels between Germany and SA that a joint stamp issue between the two countries to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela was very appropriate.
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Both countries experienced human suffering, the tearing apart of a nation, debilitating hardships and atrocities yet managed to overcome them and soar above them. Nelson Mandela is a symbol of freedom, love for mankind, reconciliation and nation building. As such his legacy resonates with the values of both countries.
The images and “stories behind the stamps” on both stamp issues are quite different from each other. The format and sizes are also not the same.
According to Rachel-Mari, the NMF’s slogan for the Nelson Mandela Centenary 2018 celebrations: “Be the legacy”, influenced her decision to portray him at a late stage of his life.
The German stamp features a photo of a relatively young Nelson Mandela taken three days after his release from prison.
The stamps are available from major post office branches and can be ordered from sa.stamps@postoffice.co.za.
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