2008 South Africa 1Rd Silver Proof "Gandhi"

• Mint: South African Mint
• Denomination: 1 Rand
• Quality: Proof
• Issue limit: 6,000 pcs.
• Alloy: 92.5% Sterling Silver
• Diameter: 32.69 mm
• Weight: 15 grams
• Reverse Artist: Natanya van Niekerk
• Obverse Artist: A.L. Sutherland
• Box/Capsule: Yes/Yes
• Certificate: Yes

The Protea coins are named after South Africa's national flower - the King Protea - and were first introduced in 1986 to commemorate various aspects and important events in the history of South Africa. From 1989 the King Protea has appeared on the obverse of the coins, whilst the reverse changes annually. Since 1996, important social issues have been depicted on the reverse.

The 2008 Protea silver coin features Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi – better known as Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948). Mahatma Gandhi lived in South Africa from April 1893 to July 1914. Although not South African by birth, he said “I was born in India, but I was made in South Africa”. He said these words because he first started with his campaign of “Ahimsa” (non-violence) and “Satyagraha” (way of truth) while he was campaigning for freedom in South Africa.

Gandhi influenced both nationalist and internationalist movements and brought the cause of India's independence from British colonial rule to world attention. Gandhi's principle of satyagraha (from Sanskrit satya: truth, and graha: grasp/hold), has also inspired other democratic activists, including Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lennon and the 14th Dalai Lama.

Ultimately, his passion for unity and equality among Hindus, peace and justice in a free India and amity among Hindus and Muslims in India made Gandhi a target and he was shot and killed on January 30, 1948 by a Hindu extremist. It is ironic that this great pacifist, the first to employ non-violence in a political context, was never awarded the Nobel Peace Prize! The 1960 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Chief Albert Luthuli from South Africa, applied Gandhi's principles while fighting apartheid in South Africa. The profound lessons Gandhi learned in South Africa, spurned him to stand-up and without violence fight for his beloved India, earning him the title of “Father of the Nation”.