Four postage stamps
commemorating platinum, issued on August
15, 1979, are of particular historical interest. 4c stamp shows pouring of platinum and an African worker, 15c, 20c and 25c stamps summarize the importance of
platinum in the chemical industry,
in telecommunications satellites and in
jewelry. The stamps were issued by Bophuthatswana, a bantustan (homeland)
in the Republic of South Africa.
At the time, Bophuthatswana
consisted of seven enclaves dispersed in northwest South Africa. The homeland
was set up to house Setswana-speaking peoples, with its capital, Mmabatho,
situated in an area bordering Botswana. Bophuthatswana was given nominal
self-rule in 1971, and became independent on December 6, 1977. A head of state
was appointed by the South African government, but the new country was not
recognized as independent by any government other than that of South Africa and
Israel. In 1983, it had more than 1,430,000 inhabitants. Two attempted coups were
suppressed by South Africa.
Thank you Dear Maria.
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