Nelson Mandela Bank Notes to Be Issued in South Africa    [24-02-2012] Do you know who Nelson Mandela is? He is a national hero in South Africa. He was the first black president of South Africa. He served as president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. As a freedom fighter, he worked hard to make the country a better place for everyone. So far, he received numerous awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize. In order to honor the national hero, South Africa will issue bank notes with the face of Mr. Mandela. Mr. Mandela is known as one of the world’s greatest leaders. He was the first democratically elected president of South Africa. The current president of the country, Jacob Zuma, said that Mr. Mandela is the first president of a free, democratic South Africa. “It is my honor and pleasure to announce that new South African bank notes will bear the image of President Mandela, the first president of a free, democratic South Africa,” said President Zuma. “Releasing the bank notes bearing the image of Mandela is a humble gesture to express South Africa’s deep gratitude for him.” Mr. Mandela spent 27 years in prison. He was released from prison on February 11, 1990. President Zuma called Mr. Mandela’s release “the beginning of a new era of hope.” Mr. Mandela won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his campaign against white minority rule. The following year, he was elected president. In order to express South Africans’ deep love for Mandela, who spent his life in service to the people, South Africa started producing the new bank notes. All five notes - the 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 rand - will now bear Mr. Mandela’s face on the front. Mr. Mandela has seen the designs of the notes and was delighted. The new bank notes will be introduced by the end of 2012. Born on July 18, 1918, he is now 93 years old. Stay healthy, Mr. Mandela!     출처: 어린이 영자신문 키즈타임즈 (www.kidstimes.net)