Change is good. But not all change

One of the biggest mysteries in modern South African history was solved this week: why Nelson Mandela is the only post-apartheid president to have his own R5 commemorative coin. According to the Pipe-Smoking President’s former spokesman, Mukoni Ratshitanga, Mbeki came close to having one, but the project was blocked by uBaba ka Duduzane’s cabinet. Writing in the Mail & Guardian this week, Ratshitanga said the process was concluded by the Reserve Bank under Tito Mboweni, but Mbeki’s face never made it onto the coin after the proposal was tabled before the Nkandla Crooner’s cabinet. If Ratshitanga is telling the truth, this shows how bitter uBaba ka D was towards Mbeki after he took over power. Although, in hindsight, by breaking the convention the Nkandla Crooner did us all a favour. Imagine carrying a R5 coin with a shower head in your pocket.