It is tradition for the SARB to issue commemorative circulation coins to mark both key moments in our history as well as the individuals who helped to shape it. This past year, as the SARB leadership was considering the most significant way to mark 25 years of democracy, we were left with only one answer: the Constitution.
The enhancement in basic human rights – the rights to housing, health care, basic services such as water and electricity, the rights of workers, the rights of civil organisations, the accountability of the executive to Parliament, the transformation of public finance management, the independence and competence of the judiciary, the independence and mandate of the SARB – all come from the Constitution.