Earlier this week, the South African Reserve Bank unveiled a new set of currency notes that will enter circulation in 2023. The SA banknotes, which feature Nelson Mandela on the front and scenes from South Africa on the back, have been well-received by the public and praised for their innovative security features. However, a few social media users have pointed out some spelling mistakes that have been flagged on the notes.
The most notable error is on the R10 note, which features a picture of the Big Five animals found in South Africa – lions, rhinos, leopards, elephants, and buffalos. The word “beneficiary” is spelled as “benficiary” on the note. The South African Reserve Bank admitted to the mistake and assured the public that the error has been corrected and will not appear on the notes that will be circulated.
Another spelling mistake was spotted on the R100 note, which shows the country’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela. The word “responsible” is spelled as “responsble” on the note. This error has also been rectified, and the corrected version will be printed.
The Reserve Bank issued a statement acknowledging the errors and assuring the public that the notes have undergone extensive checks and quality control measures. The bank notes are produced under the guidance of a committee that includes experts from various fields and undergo multiple rounds of testing to ensure quality.
While these mistakes may be embarrassing, they are not uncommon when it comes to currency notes. In 2018, the Bank of England issued a £50 note with a spelling error on the word “responsibility.” Similarly, the Reserve Bank of Australia issued a $50 note in 2018 with a typo on the word “responsibility.” The South African Reserve Bank has assured the public that the spelling mistakes on their notes have been corrected, and the final product will be error-free.
The new South African banknotes are part of the country’s efforts to modernize its currency system. In addition to the innovative security features, the notes also feature braille patterns that will make it easier for visually impaired people to differentiate the notes. The notes will also be smaller in size than the current currency notes, making them more practical for everyday use.
In conclusion, while the spelling mistakes on the new South African currency notes are embarrassing, they are not uncommon. The Reserve Bank has acknowledged the errors and assured the public that they have been corrected. The new notes will feature innovative security features and braille patterns to make them more accessible to all South Africans.