Which currency replaced the South African pound when South Africa adopted decimal money in 1961?

The South African rand replaced the South African pound when decimal currency was introduced in 1961.

South Africa introduced the rand on 14 February 1961, shortly before the country became a republic. The new currency was divided into 100 cents, replacing the pound, shilling, and penny system inherited from British monetary practice. Two rand equaled one former South African pound, so ten shillings became one rand.

The name rand comes from the Witwatersrand, the geological ridge associated with Johannesburg and South Africa’s historic gold-mining industry. The rand’s symbol is R, while its international currency code is ZAR.

The currency has also been used in the Common Monetary Area, linking South Africa with countries including Lesotho, Namibia, and Eswatini. Those countries issue their own currencies, but their monetary systems have maintained close relationships with the rand.