Politics
Reserve Bank launches museum and 1976 commemorative R2 coin – SABC News
President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially opened the renovated South African Reserve Bank headquarters and unveiled the SARB Museum in Pretoria.
The halls of the museum celebrate the oldest African central bank, with a section dedicated to past governors, the history of money, as well as exhibitions that encapsulate South African heritage, with works by the likes of Esther Mahlangu on display.
The museum is set to open to the public on a yet-to-be-announced date.
It has a bit of everything – learning about how the central bank has evolved over the last 105 years, the history of money, and art that speaks to the country’s proud heritage.
But a key role the Museum will play is to educate the country’s young and perhaps contribute to inspiring a new generation of central bankers.
President Ramaphosa spoke of the important role that the central bank plays in keeping inflation at bay, especially for the poorest of the poor in society. He also congratulated the bank on opening up part of the bank to the public, especially for the benefit of young people.
“We want to applaud you for making the bank accessible, making the museum accessible to young people. Through its exhibitions and in a dedicated schools outreach programme, we expect the museum to deepen financial and economic literacy in society. Governor, I would like you to help us to enable us as South Africans to reach a higher level of financial literacy, and if there’s any institution that can do so, without being conflicted, it is the central bank”.
To commemorate the bravery of the Soweto student uprising in 1976 and mark the 50th anniversary, the Reserve Bank has launched a limited-edition two-rand coin, honouring their sacrifice to secure a future with better education for the country’s majority.
Governor Lesetja Kganyago emphasised that while the circulated commemorative coins do not increase in monetary value, they connect South Africans through their shared history.
The Governor was addressing guests at the launch of the Reserve bank’s museum, in Pretoria.
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has officially launched its public museum, offering visitors a unique insight into the country’s economic and financial history. https://t.co/s7EOvbuoWD pic.twitter.com/KeR4n6WaB3
— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 19, 2026
“Tomorrow we mark five years since Charlotte Maxeke became the first Black South African woman to graduate with a university degree. We plan to officially release a commemorative coin to celebrate this remarkable achievement in August. In December, we will celebrate 30 years of our Constitution being signed into law. We could not miss this one because the SARB is a creature of the Constitution,” says Kganyago.
YOUTH DAY | President Cyril Ramaphosa and the South African Reserve Bank have unveiled a new R2 coin commemorating the youth of 1976, marking 50 years since the uprising. The SARB says more coins celebrating South Africa’s democracy will follow. pic.twitter.com/vho9PwxvNl
— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 16, 2026
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