February 2010 is an auspicious month for South African 20^th anniversaries.

February 11 will mark 20 years since Nelson Mandela was set free; February 2 will mark 20 years since FW de Klerk revealed in Parliament that this was about to eventuate.

Both these events set the scene for the two South Africans to be accorded Nobel Peace Laureates, in the wake of which the Mint of Norway, with the authority of the Nobel Institute, struck commemorative gold medallions.

During the course of the past decade The South African Gold Coin Exchange (SAGCE) and The Scoin Shop has been selling the medallions to collectors, who have seen the value of their medallions appreciate dramatically in recent years in line with and ahead of the rapidly increasing gold price.

Alan Demby, SAGCE’s executive chairman, reveals that as an integral part of the marketing campaign for the medallions, a royalty, based on each medallion sold, has been allocated to the Nobel Institute and others.

Benefiting from the sales of the Mandela medallions is the Nelson Mandela Foundation and a variety of charities nominated by the former president.  The FW de Klerk Foundation promoting reconciliation and understanding has also been a beneficiary from the sales of these medallions.      

Reflecting the FW de Klerk royalties, Demby will, on February 2, present a cheque to the value of R199 000 – in concert with the historic date of 1990 – to De Klerk himself at a conference and banquet to commemorate the 20^th anniversary of the speech that told the world Madiba was to be released.

A 20^th anniversary medallion, with the two protagonists, will be minted.  The one side features Mandela, while the reverse contains the following quote:  “Walk through the open door. Take your place at the negotiating table” … as well as De Klerk’s signature.  The certificate accompanying the limited edition gold medallion features highlights of his seminal speech, reflecting this turning point in South Africa’s history.

“Few recall the profound weight of Mr de Klerk’s words,” says Demby, who offers the following quotes from his speech to underline the historic occasion:

• “It is time for us to break out of the cycle of violence and break through to peace and reconciliation. The silent majority is yearning for this. The youth deserve it.”
• “Among other things, those aims include a new democratic constitution; universal franchise; no domination; equality before an independent judiciary; the protection of minorities as well as of individual rights; freedom of religion; a sound economy based on proven economic principles and private enterprise; dynamic programmes directed at better education, health services, housing and social conditions for all.”
• “I wish to put it plainly that the government has taken a firm decision to release Mr Mandela unconditionally. I am serious about bringing this matter to finality without delay.”  
• “All reasonable people in this country – by far the majority – anxiously await a message of hope. It is our responsibility as leaders in all spheres to provide that message realistically, with courage and conviction. If we fail in that, the ensuing chaos, the demise of stability and progress, will forever be held against us.”
• “History has thrust upon the leadership of this country the tremendous responsibility to turn our country away from its present direction of conflict and confrontation. Only we, the leaders of our people, can do it.”
• ”The eyes of responsible governments across the world are focused on us. The hopes of millions of South Africans are centred around us. The future of southern Africa depends on us. We dare not falter or fail.”

Demby characterises De Klerk’s words as “in many ways prophetic”, while registering the hope that the country’s current politicians take careful note of these messages.  

Recognising that the Nobel Institute has benefited equally from the sales of the Mandela and De Klerk Nobel medallions by SAGCE and The Scoin Shops, the Institute invited Demby to the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony, where he met Barak Obama.