A look at our National Symbols
National Symbols South Africa
The nationals symbols South Africa have a fascinating past, especially during the abolition of Apartheid. For instance, the South African flag, unfurled on 27 April 1994, replaced the old flag representing the country from 31 May 1928. Its new colours are bold and vibrant. The chilli red/orange, white and blue date back to the country’s flag history earliest times. Green, black and gold represent the colours of Africa.
The unique central design of the flag that begins as a “V” at the flag post and comes together in the centre, extending further as a single horizontal band to the outer edge of the fly. It represents the convergence of diverse elements in our society, which then take the road together. This links up with the motto/slogan on the Coat of Arms, with the meaning as far as possible to translate “unity in diversity”.
The national Coat of Arms, or state emblem, is the highest visual symbol of the State.
Coat of Arms
The South African Coat of Arms depicts elements organised in a series of oval shapes. The first element is the motto, in a green semi-circle. The motto, in Khoisan, is /ke e: /xarra / / ke, meaning “unity in diversity”. Completing the semi-circle, are two pairs of elephant tusks pointing upwards, symbolising wisdom strength, moderation and eternity. Within the oval shape formed by the tusks and the motto, are two symmetrical ears of wheat symbolising fertility and growth, which, in turn, frame a gold shield.
The shield’s shape refers to the drum and contains two human figures from Khoisan rock art. They face one another in greeting and unity and symbolise a shared heritage (the figures derived from images on the Linton stone, a world-famous example of South African rock art, now on display in the S.A. Museum Cape Town). A spear and a knobkierie (club) above the shield, cross down depicting a symbol of peace.
The visual centre of the Coat of Arms is a king protea (the national flower). The petals in a triangular pattern reminiscent of the crafts of Africa, and with the most popular colours of Africa (green, gold, red and black) also symbolising the life and growth of our nation with its various population groups. A secretary bird (symbolising protection) is above the protea, and the flower forms the bird’s chest. The rising sun above the horizon (symbol of energy and life on earth) completes ascendance’s oval shape.
National Symbols
The Springbuck was, since at least 1906, considered the country’s national animal. Our national tree is the Real Yellowwood that has been present in our part of Africa for more than 100 million years. The Blue Crane, South Africa’s national bird, resides in Southern Africa (south of the Zambesi and Kunene Rivers), and in the Etosha Pan region of Namibia. The Galjoen is our national fish, found only along the South African coast, and probably the first tropical fish to be noticed by the earlier settlers. The King Protea, already mentioned, was officially chosen to be the country’s national floral emblem in 1975.
South Africa’s National Anthem is a unique combination of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, and Die Stem (the previous regime’s anthem). Enoch Sontonga
composed the first song in 1897. The words of the first stanza were originally written in Xhosa as a hymn. The poet Samuel Mqhayi added seven additional stanzas later. For decades the song was regarded by the oppressed as South Africa’s national anthem.
A proclamation by the State President on 20 April 1994 stipulated that both Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika and Die Stem (The Call of South Africa) would be the country’s national anthems. In 1996 a shorter, combined version of the two was released as the new national anthem. There are no standard versions of translations, so the words vary from place to place and from occasion to occasion. Generally, the first stanza is sung in Xhosa or Zulu, followed by the Sesotho version. Then follows a part of Die Stem in Afrikaans, with a conclusion in English.
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