South African coinage. The Republic of South Africa is divided into 9 provinces with 3 capital cities, as follows: Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial) and Cape Town (legislative). The largest city is Johannesburg. 11 official languages are used. Independence from Great Britain: Union (May 31, 1910), Statute of Westminster (December 11, 1931) and Republic (May 31, 1961). Monetary system: Pound/Shilling/Pence to 1961, 1 Rand = 100 Cents (10 Shillings) from 1961.