Collect Southern Africa

Republic of South Africa

Commemoratives Part IV - The Sixth Decade 2011 to date
By Otto Peetoom

A Review of RSA Commemoratives 1961 - 2016
This page completes a pictorial gallery of all the commemorative issues, the South African Post Office journal SETEMPE can be accessed via the internet and currently issues from January 2015 to December 2016 are available.
This has provided additional information for the 2015/16 issues and I have added edited comments to the relevant sets. They are of course fully acknowledged.

Single Stamp Commemoratives
Since 1961 the policy for issues has varied dramatically and any single stamp commemorative consisting of a traditional perforated stamp is almost obsolete. During the last six years (2011-16) only one such issue appeared and in the previous five years there were seven single stamps. Compare this to the 1970s when there was a dramatic increase in single stamp issues and 42 (62%) out of 68 events were commemorated with one stamp.
From 1961 to 2016 RSA has issued one hundred single stamp issues.

Single Stamp Miniature Sheets
This trait was introduced with the September 1995 Singapore Exhibition MS (SG MS883 or SACC 912) and a total of seventy such sheets have been issued between 1995 and 2016. The most recent MS appeared on 27 January 2016 being the Centenary of Oxford University Press.
Its theme is My Education my Future and about education improving the lives of young people and affording them the opportunity to grow and contribute to their country and the world at large.

Oversized and/or Odd shaped Miniature Sheets and Sheetlets
Certain sheetlets include the same stamps more than once for instance 2011 Wild Cats, Sumbandila Satellite and Chief Luthuli. The latter repeats two values four times and one value twice.

Odd shapes started with the November 2002 Year of the Goat MS followed by an egg-shape 2007 Year of the Pig, then a heart-shape All you Need is Love in 2009, a Fish-shape plus a circular FIFA World Cup during 2010.


2011 offered a single stamp in an aeroplane-shape and the Continent of Africa hosted the stamps for the 2012 SA Field Postal Unit issue.
Another circular miniature sheet consists of two moveable disks being the 2013 Water Cooperation and five self adhesive stamps are in the shape of water droplets. The South African Post Office won an award for this design for the World’s Most Original Stamp Format in a competition held in Spain during October 2014.

Odd Shaped Stamps
Besides the above water droplets, circular stamps have been included in sheetlets and one value in the 2011 Wild Cats issues is perforated in the shape of the head of the animal. The 2012 100th Anniversary of Alexandra Township includes an odd shaped stamp in a sheetlet.
A recent issue in September 2016 for International Year of Light is a decagon, a flat 10-sided shape with sides of equal length and includes ten odd shaped self adhesive stamps.

2011 to 2015 - Year Fifty One to Fifty Five
2011 Stamp Issues
4 February 2011

Small African Wildcats - Five Values
Repeated twice in a sheetlet
23 May 2011
The Constitution MS No 113 (one value)
1 April 2011
Sumbandilasat - South African Micro-satelitte Five values repeated twice per sheetlet
30 June 2011
Rare Musical
Instruments
Ten stamps
in a sheetlet

15 July 2011
Forest Birds
Se-tenant strip of five
12 August 2011
Green Awarness MS No 114 - Six values
3 October 2011
International Astronautical Congress MS No 116
19 August 2011
Evolution of Rugby Emblem
Sheetlet - Ten stamps

23 September 2011
SA Heritage Sites
Cape Floral Region
MS 115
Ten Stamps
8 October 2011
100th Anniversary of the First South African Airmail
One Value in MS No 117

9 December 2011
50th Anniversary of Chief Albert Luthuli's Nobel Peace Prize
Three values repeated in a sheetlet

19 October 2011
300 years of a Historical link
between
South Africa
and Indonesia
Strip of five stamps






21 October 2011
150th Anniversary of Indian Indentured Labour
MS No 118





25 November 2011

150th Anniversary of Indian Indentured Labour
MS No 119
No
Date
2011 Commemoratives
Stamps
395
04.02.11
Wildcats Se-tenant sheetlet
5
396
01.04.11
Sumbandila Satellite
10
397
23.05.11
The Constitution MS 113
MS
398
30.06.11
Musical Instruments Se-tenant sheetlet
10
399
15.07.11
SA Forest Birds Se-tenant strip
5
400
12.08.11
Green Awareness MS 114
MS(6)
401
19.08.11
Evolution of Rugby Emblem Sheetlet
10
402
23.09.11
SA Heritage Sites MS 115
MS(10)
No
Date
Commemorative Issues
Stamps
403
03.10.11
International Astronautical Congress MS 116
MS
404
08.10.11
Airmail Centenary MS 117
MS
405
19.10.11
USA - Indonesia Link Se-tenant strip
5
406
21.10.11
Indian Labour Anniversary MS 118
MS
407
25.10.11
Ditto MS 119
MS(2)
408
09.12.11
Chief Albert Luthuli
3
MS = Single Stamp Miniature sheet & MS(2) = 2 stamps in MS
2012 - RSA Year Fifty Two
6 January 2012
SA Native National Congress Centenary
One value
2 April 2012
George Pemba Centenary Sheetlet
Ten Stamps
22 February 2012
John Dube MS 120
5 June 2012
Transit of Venus MS 121
20 April 2012
National Symbols
Se-tenant sheetlet
- Eight stamps
18 May 2012
Commercial and Medicinal Plants
of South Africa
Se-tenant sheetlet
5 June 2012
Astronomy in South Africa
Se-tenant sheetlet

Eleven Stamps
6 June 2012
Centenary of
Health Sciences
at U.C.T.
MS 122




6 September 2012
360th Anniversary of Dutch arrival
at the Cape
MS 123
14 August 2012
Smallest Sunbirds of South Africa
Se-tenant strip of five
21 September 2012
Heritage Sites Series - The Vredefort Dome - Se-tenant strip of five
9 October 2012
South African Field Post Unit
Africa shaped sheetlet of ten stamps
23 November 2012
Go Digital South Afica
Campaign
MS 124
26 October 2012
Alexandra Township
Centenary
Sheetlet
of five
No
Date
2012 Commemoratives
Stamps
409
06.01.12
Native Congress Centenary
1
410
22.02.12
John Dube MS 120
MS
411
02.04.12
George Pemba Centenary Sheetlet
10
412
20.04.12
National Symbols Se-tenant sheetlet
8
413
18.05.12
Medicinal Plants Se-tenant sheetlet
10
414
05.06.12
Transit of Venus MS 121
MS
415
05.06.12
SA Astronomy Se-tenant sheetlet
11
416
06.06.12
Health Sciences MS 122
MS(2)
No
Date
Commemorative Issues
Stamps
417
14.08.12
SA Sunbirds Se-tenant strip
5
418
06.09.12
Arrival at the Cape MS 123
MS
419
21.09.12
Vredefort Dome Se-tenant strip
5
420
09.10.12
SA Field Postal Unit Se-tenant sheetlet
10
421
26.10.12
Alexandra Centenary Sheetlet
5
422
23.11.12
Go Digital Campaign MS 124
MS
MS = Single Stamp Miniature sheet & MS(2) = 2 stamps in MS
2013 - RSA Year Fifty Three
22 February 2013
Gift of Givers Foundation - MS 125
22 February 2013
Rescue South Africa - MS 126
10 May 2013
Butterflies & Moths Se-tenant sheetlet
20 March 2013
International Year of Water Cooperation - MS 127 Five stamps
Consists of two discs. Top disk is die-cut with two apertures which can be
rotated to show an individual stamp and information at the bottom
The South African Post Office’s Award Winning Stamps - Spain 2014
The South African Post Office journal SETEMPE (January April 2015) - Volume 20 No 1 includes an item of news
Spain 2014 - The SA Post Office took part for the first time in an International Competition in Spain during October 2014 and won a category for the World’s Most Original Stamp Format. This competition was open for stamps issued during 2013. Other competing countries included Brazil, Canada, Finland, Italy, Russia, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The Winning Entry
Issued on 20 March 2013, International Year of Water Cooperation and this issue consists of two circular discs, with the top disk die-cut with two apertures which can be rotated to show an individual stamp at the top end and the relevant information at the bottom.

Each self-adhesive stamp is in the shape of a water-droplet and the designs represent, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Human consumption, Working for Water Programme and Industry.

Agriculture
Biodiversity
Human consumption
Working for Water Programme
Industry
14 June 2013
African Fish Eagle - MS 128 Two stamps
25 October 2013
SA Mexico Relations - MS 131
26 July 2013
Port Elizabeth Centenary - Sheetlet of ten stamps
1 July 2013
Kirstenbosch Centenary
National Botanical Gardens

MS 129 Ten stamps
29 July 2013
World Transplant Games - Durban
Se-tenant sheetlet
of ten stamps
8 August 2013
Rock Formations and the Cederberg
Sheetlet
of ten stamps
20 September 2013
Symbols of South African Cultures

Se-tenant sheetlet

of ten stamps
9 October 2013
South African Post Office Achievements

MS 130 Five stamps
28 November 2013 Rivonia Trial Booklet
Contains 12 pages describing the famous Trial and depicting the personalities involved plus their history - It makes fascinating reading
Ahmed Kathrada
Served 26 years in jail

Andrew Mlangeni
Served 26 years in jail

Arthur Goldreich - Escaped

Dennis Goldberg
Served 22 years in jail
Elias Motsoaledi
Served 26 years in jail

Govan Mbeki
Served 25 years in jail

Harold Wolpe - Escaped

James Kantor - Acquited
Lionel Bernstein - Not guilty

Nelson Mandela
Released in 1990

Raymond Mhlaba
Served 26 years in jail

Walter Sisulu
Served 26 years in jail
29 November 2013
World Aids Day - Ex Booklet, five stamps x 2
12 December 2013
Centenary of the Union Buildings (Pretoria) - Two Sheetlets, ten stamps each
No
Date
2013 Commemoratives
Stamps
423
22.02.13
Givers Foundation MS 125
MS(2)
424
22.02.13
SA Rescue MS 126
MS(2)
425
20.03.13
Int. Year of Water Cooperation MS 127
MS(5)
426
10.05.13
Butterflies & Moths Se-tenant sheetlet
10
427
14.06.13
African Fish Eagle MS 128
MS(2)
428
01.07.13
Kirstenbosch Centenary MS 129
MS(10)
429
26.07.13
Port Elizabeth Centenary Sheetlet
10
430
29.07.13
Transplant Games Se-tenant sheetlet
10
No
Date
Commemorative Issues
Stamps
431
08.08.13
Rock Formations and the Cederberg Sheetlet
10
432
20.09.13
SA Cultures Se-tenant sheetlet
10
433
09.10.13
SA Post Office Achievements MS 130
MS(5)
434
25.10.13
SA Mexico Relations MS 131
MS
435
28.11.13
Rivonia Trial Ex Booklet
12
436
29.11.13
World Aids Day Ex Booklet
5 x 2
437
12.12.13
Union Buildings Centenary Sheetlets
10 x 2
MS = Single Stamp Miniature sheet & MS(2) = 2 stamps in MS
2014 - RSA Year Fifty Four
11 February 2014
Mandela Memorial MS
18 July 1918 - 5 December 2013

Not sold at face value and only
Footnoted in the SACC

Housed in a folder with a
brief resume of his life.

Also known complete Imperforate
About five copies known
28 February 2014
World Design Capital Cape Town - Sheetlet Five stamps
9 May 2014
Big Five Sheetlet Five Stamps plus a booklet on the same day (see below)
3 July 2014
Music Legends - Sheetlet Ten stamps

30 May 2014
Ukuthunga (Embroidery) to Sew - MS 132
28 June 2014
Hamilton Naki - MS 133
3 July 2014
World War I Centenary
Sheetlet Six stamps








20 August 2014
Lighthouses
Sheetlet Five stamps
15 August 2014
20 Years Freedom MS 134
15 August 2014
Presidential Inauguration MS 135
1 September 2014
Endangered Birds
Se-tenant strip
of five
17 September 2014
National Parks
Sheetlet Five stamps
9 October 2014
World Post Day Sheetlet Five Stamps
The reverse of the sheetlet depicts an opened out parcel
No
Date
2014 Commemoratives
Stamps
438
11.02.14
Nelson Mandela Souvenir Folder SF 8.7
MS
439
28.02.14
Cape Town Design Se-tenant sheetlet
5
440
09.05.14
Big Five Sheetlet plus a Booklet
5 + 10
441
30.05.14
Embroidery MS 132
MS
442
26.06.14
Hamilton Naki MS 133
MS(2)
443
03.07.14
Music Legends Sheetlet
10
444
28.07.14
World War I Centenary Sheetlet
6
No
Date
Commemorative Issues
Stamps
445
15.08.14
20 Years Freedom MS 134
MS
446
15.08.14
Presidential Inauguration MS 135
MS
447
20.08.14
Lighthouses Sheetlet
5
448
01.09.14
Endangered Birds Se-tenant strip
5
449
17.09.14
National Parks Sheetlet
5
450
09.10.14
World Post Day Sheetlet
5
MS = Single Stamp Miniature sheet & MS(2) = 2 stamps in MS
2015 - RSA Year Fifty Five
Dates of Issue become somewhat confusing as the published and/or 'Official' dates were postponed by the Post Office

Brief information on the issues is attributed and acknowledged to SETEMPE (Journal of the SA Post Office)
5 February 2015
South African Aviation Corps Centenary
Sheetlet Five Stamps

Formation of the South African Aviation Corps (SAAC) dates back to a time when flying was still in its infancy Growing into a formidable force, it played a major role in the South West Africa Campaign during WWI and is considered a forerunner of the South African Air Force Designed by Lize-Marie Dreyer
3 March 2015
Animal Poaching Awarness
Sheetlet Six stamps
2 April 2015
Nephrology Congress
Sheetlet Five stamps
4 May 2015
International Firefighters Day - Sheetlet Eight Stamps - On the reverse are various Safety Recommendations
International Firefighters’ Day celebrated annually on 4 May. Jaco Botha, who designed the stamps, captured the essence of the task of firefighters very aptly
7 August 2015
Woman’s Charter MS 136

The Women’s Charter issued to coincide with the anniversary week of the Women’s March of 1956 and designed by Rachel-Mari Ackermann
11 November 2015
Oliver Tambo MS 137 (Original date of issue 27 October)
Oliver Reginald Tambo is hailed as one of the best leaders to come out of our country; a champion of freedom and democracy, the miniature sheet commemorates his birthday. Designed by Thea Clemons
12 August 2015
Jellyfish in South African Waters
Sheetlet Ten Stamps

South Africa is fortunate to have more than 20 species of these
boneless animals that float freely through the world’s oceans.
Although Jellyfish have the reputation of being lethal only a
few of them are and of the ten featured on the stamp sheet,
only the box jellyfish has a fatal sting. Designed by Sheila Collins

11 November 2015
World Post Day
Sheetlet
Five stamps

World Post Day is celebrated each year on 9 October
This issue by Peter Sibanda, looks back at some
important historic events in the long history of the Post Office

The following species are depicted - Barrel jellyfish, Purple compass jellyfish, Box jellyfish (Two types depicted), Helmet jellyfish,
Pink meanie, St Lucia jellyfish, Mauve stinger, Benguela compass jellyfish, Cape barrel jellyfish, Bluebottle, By-the-wind-sailor.
Forests provide mitigation and adaption to climate change, adequate supplies of fresh water, biodiversity in nature, food and shelter for humans and animals. Yet this life sustaining resource is under unprecedented pressure from people, climate and competing socio-economic demands.

The World Forestry Congress was first held in Rome in 1926, and has since become the largest and most significant gathering of the world’s forest sector. Held every six years, its objectives are to inform, direct and influence international action in forestry; to elevate the sector’s role in global development and to project a new vision for the future.

In September 2015 the World Forestry Congress was held in South Africa for the first time. Hosted by the South African Government, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the XIV World Forestry Congress took place in Durban. The main theme was ‘Forests and people: investing in a sustainable future.’
South Africa has a productive forestry sector, which contributes about 1% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
Artwork by Anne-marie Wessels
7 September 2015
World Forest Congress - Sheetlet Five Stamps
No
Date
2015 Commemoratives
Stamps
451
05.02.15
SA Aviation Centenary Se-tenant sheetlet
5
452
03.03.15
Animal Poaching Awarness Sheetlet
6
453
02.04.15
Nephrology Congress Sheetlet
5
454
04.05.15
Int. Firefighters Day Sheetlet
8
455
07.08.15
Woman’s Charter MS 136
MS
No
Date
Commemorative Issues
Stamps
456
12.08.15
Jellyfish in SA Waters Sheetlet
10
457
07.09.15
World Forest Congress Sheetlet
5
458
11.11.15
Oliver Tambo MS 137
MS
459
11.11.15
World Post Day Sheetlet
5
MS = Single Stamp Miniature sheet & MS(2) = 2 stamps in MS
2016 - RSA Year Fifty Six
The stamp programme annouced by the Post Office did not materialize and some issues, such as Oxford University Press and International Year of Light,
planned for 2015 were issued in 2016. A miniature sheet SA Flight Routes was scheduled in February, but has not been seen as yet!
The June 2016 Gibbons Stamp Monthly listed a second issue of Popular Music Legends (Issued on 26.1.2016) but I am not sure if it was on sale
27 January 2016
Centenary of Oxford University Press
MS 138



This miniature sheet commemorates 100 years of OUPSA (Oxford University Press, South Africa)
A theme ‘My Education my Future’ is about education improving the lives of young people and affording them the opportunity to grow and contribute to their country and the world at large

OUPSA is an educational publisher committed to the growth of Southern Africa and its
people through the provision of quality educational materials and support. OUPSA’s mission
is to bring excellence in education, scholarship and research to people in the region
26 August 2016
South African Geology
Sheetlet Ten stamps


To coincide with the 35th International
Geological Congress at the Cape Town
International Conference Centre

This set of stamps offers an artistic interpretation
of ten different geological superlatives of
great economic value and major
scientific importance in South Africa

Cross-sectional keys are printed on the back of the stamps. The concept designs for these stamps was researched and drawn by a South African geologist, Pieter Bosch of the Council for Geoscience and the artwork by artist Rachel-Mari Ackermann
Top left - Geological Information on Reverse
Top right - Geological Information on Reverse
Bottom right - Geological Information on Reverse

With their distinctive dagger-like bills, and striking plumage, kingfishers are among the world’s most beautiful birds.
Of the 87 species in the world, 16 occur in Africa, ten of which are found in Southern and East Africa.

Kingfishers are a group of birds with brightly coloured or boldly patterned plumage, in the order ‘Coraciiformes’. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring throughout the world’s tropics and temperate regions. Kingfishers are capable of binocular vision and are thought in particular to have good colour vision. Many have distinctive loud calls and dramatic courtship displays. Most species have some bright blue plumage, and many have bright red bills. Some have adapted well to man’s alteration of natural habitats, and are often seen in suburban gardens. Despite their name, not all kingfishers feed on fish - many are carnivorous, feeding on vertebrates such as reptiles, rodents and birds; or insectivorous, feeding on insects and other invertebrates; and some rarely come near water.
Designs by André Olwage, the stamps feature the following birds, African Pygmy Kingfisher,
Half-collared Kingfisher, Giant Kingfisher,
Mangrove Kingfisher and Pied Kingfisher
31 August 2016
Kingfishers - Sheetlet Five stamps x 2
14 September 2016
International Year of Light - Sheetlet Ten stamps (Above right, the reverse of the sheetlet)

To draw the world’s attention to the importance of light, the United Nations proclaimed 2015 the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies
In proclaiming an international year focusing on the topic of light science and its applications, the UN wanted to raise global awareness about how light based technologies promote sustainable development and provide solutions to global challenges in energy, education, agriculture and health.
Light is an indispensable part of our daily lives and is an essential cross-cutting discipline of science in the 21st century. It has revolutionised medicine, opened up international communication via the internet, and continues to be central to linking cultural, economic and political aspects of the global society.
26 September 2016
Cities COP17 Sheetlet - Four stamps
7 October 2016
Puppetry in South Africa - Sheetlet Five stamps
COP is the Conference of Parties, in 2016 the 17th Conference of Parties was held in Johannesburg in September. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
One of the focus species for this convention was pangolins. The African Pangolin Working Group was established on 27 June 2011. Its key mandate is to strive towards the conservation and protection of all four African pangolin species by generating knowledge, developing partnerships and creating public awareness and education initiatives.
There are eight species of pangolins worldwide: three in Asia, one in India and four in Africa. The four African species are distributed throughout West and Central Africa, as well as part of East Africa, Southern Africa and as far south as South Africa.
The earliest developers of puppetry might never have imagined that it could grow into the powerful, lucrative and thriving contemporary art form it is today. Puppetry has ballooned from being entertainment for children into a multi-billion business in television, theatre, education, therapy, gaming and even politics.

Puppetry is well represented in South Africa and the country has been host to the largest international puppetry and visual performance festival on the continent, Out The Box.
In addition, Puppetry South Africa belongs to UNIMA (Union International de la Marionettes), making it truly a global actor in the genre. UNIMA was the first cultural organization of UNESCO and was established in 1929.
No
Date
2016 Commemoratives
Stamps
460
26.01.16
Music Legends 2nd series Sheetlet
10
461
27.01.16
Centenary of Oxford University Press MS 138
MS
462
26.08.16
SA Geology Sheetlet
10
463
31.08.16
Kingfishers Sheetlet
5 x 2
No
Date
Commemorative Issues
Stamps
464
14.09.16
International Year of Light Sheetlet
10
465
26.09.16
Cities COP17 Sheetlet
4
466
07.10.16
Puppetry in South Africa Sheetlet
5
MS = Single Stamp Miniature sheet & MS(2) = 2 stamps in MS
2011 to date - The Sixth Decade - a Summary
The number of issues per Annum become erratic as a result of prolonged post office strikes which meant that the
Post Office was experiencing financial difficulty. A headline reads...in the 2015 financial year and a provisional loss of R1.035bn in the current year
Year
Issues
Stamps
MS
Stamps
Total
Booklets
Stamps
Comments
2011
14
55
7
22
77
2012
14
65
5
6
71
 
2013
15
70
7
27
97
2
22
The number of stamps peaked during 2013 and the highest since 2010 (115 stamps)
2014
14
46
5
6
52
1
10
The number of issues since 2009 were constant at 14/15 per year
2015
9
44
2
2
46
 During this year the number of issues fell considerably
2016
7
49
1
1
50
 Annual out put is half the number of issues during 2009 - 2014
2017
 
Please Note - This page was added in February 2017 and is virtually complete
Commemoratives Part IV - The Sixth Decade 2011 to date

Web design by Otto Peetoom