The South African Reserve Bank, in partnership with the SA National Council of the Blind and Blind SA, hosted a currency authentication teaching and awareness course at the International Convention Centre in East London on Thursday.
At the informative workshop, attendees were taught to identify key features of SA’s banknotes and coins.
Phenyo Marumo, from the Reserve Bank’s currency management department, said the course was important for all SA citizens, including those who were blind or visually impaired.
“I work for a division in the department called the Currency Integrity Division where we focus on education and awareness on how best to maintain the integrity of our currency and teach those who are blind or visually impaired on how to properly authenticate their banknotes and coins,” Marumo said.
“We believe this will help them become more confident when making transactions and also be able to share this information with other members of their communities.”
East London was the last stop for the traveling workshop, which the bank has hosted in each of the provinces, with more than 100 people benefiting from the training.
“We have partnered with blind associations and organisations who have helped us identify people who can take this training course.
“They will be able to take everything we have taught them and be able to train others.
“This is also a great opportunity for us to gather information that we can use in future updates,” said Marumo.
While the main purpose of the workshop was to help attendees identify key authentication features of SA’s notes and coins, they were also taught other aspects such as mutilated bank notes, dye-stained notes, old series currency, counterfeit money and the reproduction of currency.
Marumo, who hosted the workshop in a fun manner, ensured the attendees were both informed and entertained.
Mandla Bushula, founder and chairperson of the Ducats Disabled Centre, said he was grateful to have beeen included in the much-needed initiative.
“I am very happy. There is so much about money that we did not know.
“I have learned something. When I go back to my community, I will be able to teach them everything I have learnt,” he said.
The bank team also created workbooks covering all the topics of the day, including workbooks in braille.
For those who are visually able, there is more information on SA’s currency on the Reserve Bank’s website, as well as on an interactive app that provides information on all the banknotes and coins that have been minted throughout the years.
