South Africa has unveiled new bank notes that will bear the image of former president Nelson Mandela.

President Jacob Zuma made the announcement Saturday during a 22nd anniversary observance of the release of Mr. Mandela after nearly three decades in prison for his activism against apartheid.

The five new notes honor Mr. Mandela as South Africa’s first democratically elected black president in 1994. The frail 93-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner was not present for Saturday’s unveiling. He is seldom seen in public anymore.

The new notes bearing his likeness are expected to be in circulation by the end of the year.