The upgraded banknotes, which went into circulation at the beginning of February, will be presented to members of Parliament in Cape Town on 7 February 2005, ahead of the opening of Parliament. The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) will address the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Finance about the upgraded banknotes and the accompanying communication campaign and will also hold an exhibition highlighting the security features on the upgraded banknotes. Members of Parliament are not the only South Africans to get a personal introduction to the banknotes, though. In order to communicate information about the upgraded banknotes to South Africans from all walks of life, the SARB has embarked on an extensive communication campaign. The upgraded banknotes are the first to use all 11 official South African languages across all denominations. Similarly, the campaign to educate the public is conducted in all 11 official languages. To reach its broad audience, the SARB is not only utilising traditional mass communication methods such as TV and print advertising, but is also taking information straight to the public with a national community mobilisation campaign.  Community information sessions are taking place in areas as remote as Tosca in the Northern Cape and Masisi in Limpopo. A commuter campaign with roving stage trailers and information gazebos is taking information on the upgraded banknotes to taxi ranks and train stations across the country. Educational dramas, with information about the banknotes’ improved security features woven into a story line, will be broadcast in all 11 official languages over both national and community radio stations. Aboobaker Ismail, Head of the Currency and Protection Services Department at the South African Reserve Bank states, “This campaign demanded a multi-faceted approach, as we had the extraordinary challenge of reaching South Africans across the board.” For further information on the upgraded banknotes: Members of the public who require further information on the new banknotes can contact the helpline number on 086 123 1020. All calls will be charged at local rates. Alternatively, visit the South African Reserve Bank’s website at www.reservebank.co.za. Ends For further information, contact:Cathy Powers: (012) 313 4420