20 South African Rand Banknote (Madiba 100Th Birthday)

20 Rand (Issued 2018)

The Mandela Centenary issue of the South African 20 Rand polymer banknote commemorates one hundred years since the birth of Nelson Mandela, born on 18 July 1918, and was released into circulation in 2018 to mark this landmark anniversary. Produced by the South African Reserve Bank, the note carries the inscription “Mandela Centenary 1918–2018” prominently along its right-hand vertical edge, a deliberate design choice that frames the entire note within its commemorative purpose. South Africa chose to honour Mandela across its polymer currency series as a lasting tribute to the statesman whose legacy shaped the nation’s democratic identity. The note’s warm golden and tan palette, combined with its polymer substrate, reflects the modern security standards now adopted by the South African Reserve Bank for its circulating currency.

On the front, the dominant feature is a finely engraved portrait of Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, depicted in a mature likeness with a composed and dignified expression rendered in shades of grey and brown against a structured geometric background. The portrait occupies the right-centre of the note, framed by intricate guilloché patterning in tones of gold, amber, and warm ochre that extends across the note’s face. To the upper left, the issuing authority’s name — “SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK” — is printed in bold serif capitals, accompanied by the South African coat of arms rendered in fine detail. Immediately below the coat of arms, a facsimile signature reads “L.Kganyago, GOVERNOR,” identifying Lesetja Kganyago, the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank. The large denomination numeral “20” appears twice on the front: once as an oversized figure to the lower left rendered in deep brown and purple with colour-shifting ink properties, and again to the upper right in dark typography alongside the words “TWENTY RAND.” A vertical security strip is embedded within the polymer substrate near the centre of the note, and a dotted pattern — typical of the SPARK optically variable feature used on South African polymer notes — is visible as a cluster of raised dots forming a subtle security element. Small human figures, reminiscent of San rock art motifs, appear along the left margin, a design element characteristic of the broader South African polymer Mandela series. The right edge carries the vertical commemorative text “Mandela Centenary 1918–2018” printed in fine lettering running the full height of the note.

The reverse displays a younger portrait of Nelson Mandela, depicted as a man in traditional Xhosa beaded necklace attire, rendered in warm terracotta and brown tones against a detailed architectural backdrop. The word “Madiba” — Mandela’s celebrated clan name — is printed in large ghost lettering across the left portion of the reverse, serving as both a design element and a tribute. Behind the younger Mandela portrait, a rendered image of a modest brick house in Soweto is visible, labelled with the word “Soweto,” referencing the township where Mandela lived during a formative period of his life and his anti-apartheid activism. The denomination numeral “20” appears again in large format towards the lower centre of the reverse. The serial number “SA3791279 B” is printed twice — once in the upper left region and once more prominently — in dark ink against the lighter background. The issuing bank’s name appears in Zulu as “BANKAKGOLO YA AFORIKABORWA” along the upper edge, and the Zulu text “iBulungelo-Mali eliKhulu leSewula Afrika” runs along the lower margin, providing the note’s trilingual character consistent with South Africa’s multilingual constitutional identity. The right-hand vertical edge again carries the “Mandela Centenary 1918–2018” inscription, mirroring the front. The overall colour palette of the reverse is dominated by warm oranges, tans, and browns, with subtle textured patterning filling the background fields.

Whether it is a single 2018 South African 20 Rand polymer banknote or a mix of leftover currency, Webuyallcurrency.com exchanges South African Rands banknotes and other foreign coins and notes for cash in one straightforward process.

• Indicate the quantity of 20 Rand Rand banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

Webuyallcurrency.com brings all your foreign currency together: exchange or sell South African Rands banknotes and other old, withdrawn or modern coins and notes for cash, with no specialist knowledge needed.

Other South African Rands you can exchange: 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200.