In 1989 the South African Mint proposed a new coin series for South Africa and recommended a complete change to electroplated coins as a solution to the escalating costs of materials and manufacturing and the increasing risk of falsification.

The new series was divided into three different groups:

The Strelitzia (Strelitzia Reginae) Crane Flower or Bird-of-Paradise flower, occurs in the warm valleys of Zululand near the sea. With its long lasting, brilliant orange and blue flowers, this indigenous plant was introduced into cultivation in England towards the end of the 18th century and became a popular florist plant. This South African native has adapted so happily to foreign climates that it has even been adopted as the civic emblem of the American City of Los Angeles. The Strelitzia, together with the arum lily and blue agapanthus, first appeared on the 50c coin that was introduced in 1965 as part of the second decimal series. Representing the national flag, this flower design was modelled by Tommy Sasseen from a drawing by Cynthna Letty. With the introduction of South Africa's third and current coin series, the Strelitzia is once again portrayed on the 50c coin. Die-sinker, Linda Lotriet modelled the design.

To commemorate South Africa's participation in 2002 in the Soccer World Cup in Korea, more than 8 million 50c were made featuring "Soccer". A soccer player dribbling the ball was depicted on the reverse of the coin. In 2003, in honour of South Africa's participation, and its being the host country to the ICC Cricket World Cup South Africa 2003, a few million "Cricket" 50c circulation coins were manufactured and put into circulation. The reverse featured a player in the pose of catching the ball.

Specifications

Language rotation

2002 - Setswana

2003 - Sepedi/Sesotho

2004 - Afrikaana

2005 - isiXhosa

2006 - isiZuli

2007 - isiNdebele

2008 - Tshivenda

2009 - siSwati

2010 -  Xitsonga

2011 - English