Malawi 50 Tambala – 1971 Issue | Currency of Independence and Agricultural Identity Pick# 5a | Numista# 239527

The 1971 50 Tambala banknote from Malawi marks the country’s first official issue following the introduction of the Kwacha and Tambala currency system, replacing the Malawi Pound. Issued by the Reserve Bank of Malawi, this note reflects the nation’s post-independence aspirations under the leadership of Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda, blending political symbolism with rural economic themes.

Printed by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co., the note belongs to the inaugural Kwacha series and captures Malawi’s identity as an agrarian republic. It remains a foundational piece for collectors of African currency reform and early post-colonial banknote design.

Key Features:
Obverse Design: Left-facing portrait of President Hastings Kamuzu Banda. Central vignette depicts fishermen casting nets on Lake Malawi, symbolizing labor, sustenance, and natural resources. Text includes “THE RESERVE BANK OF MALAWI” and “FIFTY TAMBALA.”

Reverse Design: Features the Independence Arch in Blantyre, commemorating Malawi’s sovereignty and national pride. The structure stands as a symbol of unity and progress.

Watermark: Rooster—an enduring emblem of vigilance and national identity in Malawian currency.
Printer: Bradbury Wilkinson & Co., United Kingdom
Dimensions: Approx. 150 × 80 mm
Material: Paper
Date of Issue: 1971
Catalog References: Pick# 5a, Numista# 239527

This note represents Malawi’s transition from colonial currency to a sovereign monetary system. Its imagery reflects the country’s agricultural foundation and political leadership, making it a key issue for collectors of African banknotes and independence-era design.