A wholly-owned subsidiary of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), the South African Mint announced the launch of the penultimate coin that now features a leopard.
The South African Mint has a long tradition of minting coins that pay homage to South Africa’s rich biodiversity and revered wildlife that have great significance to its international identity and ecological heritage.
South African Mint Managing Director, Honey Mamabolo said, “Just as the SARB is the guarantor of the value in the banknotes and coins it issues, it is the duty of all South Africans to safeguard the value of our ecological heritage.”
“Through this partnership, we support the WCT’s work in protecting the rhino and big cat species like the leopard and the cheetah. The Big 5 can strike at will in their natural habitat but their pace and power has posed little danger to human greed and activity” she added.
Speaking of the partnership, WCT Founder and Trustee, Lente Roode said, “Our strategy is to build alliances that enable us to leverage resources and achieve greater impact. Collaboration with institutions like the South African Mint are key to our work. For one, they amplify our visibility through their products which have a global audience. The Big Five’s influence looms large on our tourism prospects, the more people we can attract means better resources for conservation.”
“We are living in unprecedented times due to the outbreak of Covid-19 and at the same time living through the most important period for conservation. The future of many of the species we are hoping to protect lies firmly in the conservation actions we take today. The South African Mint’s decision to partner with us in our ambition to advance conservation is timely and welcome,” Roode explained.
“We hope this partnership will contribute to creating a positive future for endangered animals. By collaborating with the WCT, we are investing in South Africa’s wildlife and taking meaningful action towards restoring South Africa’s position as the home of the Big Five,” concluded Mamabolo.
Related article:
