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Our National Coat of Arms
Rising sun,
symbol of energy
Secretary bird,
fighter and protector
Protea,
symbol of diversity and potential
National motto in !Xam
- unity in diversity
Ears of wheat represent fertility and growth
Shield with Khoisan figures,
symbols of a shared heritage
Spear and knobkierie,
symbols of State Authority and peace
Elephant tusks
symbolise wisdom, strength, moderation and eternity
South Africa's national flower is the
Protea,
named after the Greek God, Proteus, who
could change his shape at will.
The endangered
Blue
Crane is the national bird.
The Springbok gazelle is the national animal
Click to hear our
National Anthem
Nkosi sikilel 'iAfrica
maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo
yizwa imithandazo yethu
Nkosi sikilela
thina lusapho lwayo
Morena boloka sechaba sa heso
o fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho
o se boloke, o se boloke
sechaba sa heso, sechaba sa
South Africa
Uit die blou van onse hemel
uit die diepte van ons see
oor ons ewige gebergtes
waar die kranse antwoord gee
sounds the call to come
together
and united we shall stand
let us live and strive for
freedom
in South Africa our land
The national flag of the
Republic of South Africa was first used on 27 April 1994.The design and
colours are a synopsis of principal elements of the country's flag
history. Individual colours, or colour combinations were different
meanings for different people and therefore no universal symbolism should
be attached to any of the colours.
The central design of the
flag, beginning at the flag post in a "V" form and flowing into a single
horizontal band to the outer edge of the fly, can be interpreted as the
convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the
road ahead in unity. The theme of convergence and unity ties in with the
motto of the National Coat of Arms, "Unity is Strength".
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