In 2005 to celebrate Albert John Luthuli, the South African Mint released a very Limited Issue Albert Luthuli Protea 5 Five Rand Gold Proof Coin struck in solid fine 999.9 Gold weighing one-tenth of an ounce of pure Gold which is part of the Protea series of Nobel Peace Prize Winners.
The 2005 Protea coin series depicts the honorable C
hief Albert Luthuli , the first South African to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize . Although christened Albert John he preferred his Zulu name Mvumbi, which means 'continuous rain'. Chief Albert John Luthuli was the leader of millions of black Africans in their non-violent campaign for civil rights in South Africa .
He was a man of noble bearing, charitable, intolerant of hatred and adamant in his demands for equality and peace amongst all men. Supported by a mother who was determined that he got an education, Luthuli completed a teachers' course in 1917. On obtaining a scholarship he completed the Higher Teachers' Training Course at Adams College. In order to provide financial support for his mother, he declined a scholarship to the University College at Fort Hare, accepting an appointment at Adams, as one of two Africans to join the staff. A professional educator for the next fifteen years, Luthuli then, and afterward, contended that education should be made available to all Africans. In 1928 he became Secretary of the African Teacher's Association and in 1933, its President.
As an adviser to the organized church, he became Chairman of the South African Board of the Congregationalist Church of America, President of the Natal Mission Conference, and an Executive Member of the Christian Council of South Africa. On 11 December 1961 Luthuli was awarded the 1960 Nobel Peace Prize in Norway, Oslo. Luthuli, wearing a traditional chief's headdress, brought the audience to their feet by singing Nkosi Sikelel Afrika at the end of his acceptance speech. The next day he delighted students by throwing snowballs at them from the city hall balcony. Frail and with failing hearing, Luthuli was killed in his home village, Groutville, by a train which he did not hear. He died on July 21, 1967 at the age of 69. These legal tender coins have been struck to proof quality using specially prepared dies and highly polished blanks.
Limited Mintage Presentation of 1,000 Worldwide
Finished to South African Mint's Proof Quality
Struck in Solid Fine 999.9 Gold Weighing One Tenth of an Ounce of Pure Gold
Protea Gold 1/10oz Coin Celebrating the Nobel Peace Prize Winner Albert John Luthuli
South African Mint Boxed with Certificate of Authenticity
