New South African ‘Inauguration of the President’ Stamp to be issued!
27 / 06 / 2024
A South African stamp dealer has informed the SA Philately Club that he has “had official information from Philatelic Services that there will be a 2024 Inauguration stamp”.
As it was not known who would be the new President of South Africa following the recent elections, no stamp could be prepared in advance. The ‘Inauguration of the President’ stamp is expected to be released in late September, early October 2024. A FDC (First Day Cover) cannot be confirmed but it is highly likely.
The last South African Definitive Series was the 8th – Beads issued 27 / 10 / 10 (Nos 2104 – 2131). Since then 115 stamps, sets or M/S (mini sheets) have been issued by SAPO (SA Post Office). However, since 12 / 03 / 2020 when the SA Air Force issue was released, only two new lots of SA stamps have followed, the Road to Democracy of 08 / 11 / 22 and Rugby World Champions of 28 / 11 / 2023.
This hiatus of a year between the last two issues, coupled with the closure of hundreds of South African post offices, has caused some SA stamp collectors to think that the end of our hobby was upon us. It looks like SAPO is now only issuing a new stamp once a year in November, a small mercy which we should be grafeful for.
While new President Cyril Ramaphosa’s coalition government is a ray of hope for a majority of South African voters, few expect to see it save the troubled SAPO, an institution that has transitioned from delivering mail to one that largely processes vehicle licences and distributes social benefits. Unlike the UK where the Labour Party is committed to supporting Royal Mail for the benefit of the workers and the country, South Africa’s coalition government appears unable to commit to such political certainty at present.
Click here to see a file containing the complete list of South African stamps issued since the 8th Definitive – Beads issue of 27 / 10 / 10.
Read other news about South African philately and postal history
