| About South Africa | ||
| National Symbols and Heritage | ||
| National Flag | ||
| The national flag was designed by a former South African State Herald, Mr Fred Brownell, and 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 have 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 flagpost 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 "Unity is Strength" of the previous South African Coat of Arms. | ||
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| National Anthem | ||
| A proclamation issued by the (then) State President on 20 April 1994 stated that the Republic of South Africa would have two National Anthems. They were "Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika" and "The Call of South Africa" ("Die Stem van Suid-Afrika). Since 1996 a shortened, combined version of "Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika" and "The Call of South Africa" is now the National Anthem of South Africa. Die "Stem van Suid-Afrika" is a poem written by CJ Langenhoven and SABC Television played both God save the King and Die Stem composition to close their daily broadcasts, so the public became familiar with it. Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika was composed in 1897 by Enoch Sontonga, a Methodist mission school teacher. It was popularised at concerts held in Johannesburg and later adopted as an anthem at political meetings. It was sung as an act of defiance during the apartheid years. The first stanza is generally sung in Xhosa or Zulu followed by the Sesotho version. | ||
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| The Coat of Arms | ||
| A national coat of arms, or State emblem, is the highest visual symbol of the State. Take a minute to consider the important events in your life – birth, marriage, death and school certificates, your passport – they are all endorsed by the Coat of Arms. When away from the country seeing a plaque of it on the embassy signals a home away from home. The coat of arms is also a central part of the Great Seal, traditionally considered to be the highest emblem of the State. Absolute authority is given to every document with an impression of the Great Seal on it, as this means that it has been approved by the President of South Africa. A new coat of arms, replaces the one that has served South Africa since 17 September 1910. The change reflects Government's aim to highlight the democratic change in South Africa and a new sense of patriotism. It is now a series of elements organised in distinct symmetric egg-like or oval shapes placed on top of one another. | ||
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| The national animal | ||
| The national animal is the Springbok Both sexes have horns but those of the ram are thicker and rougher. This species has adapted to the dry, barren areas and open grass plains and is thus found especially in the Free State, North West Province and in the Karoo up to the west coast. They are herd animals and move in small herds during winter, but often crowd together in bigger herds in summer. They eat both grass and leaves and can go without drinking-water, because they get enough moisture from the succulent leaves. Where drinking-water is available they will use it..Springbuck stand 75 cm high and weigh about 40 kg. They breed throughout the year and lambs are born after a 6-month gestation period. | ||
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| The national bird | ||
| The national bird is the elegant Blue Crane and is almost entirely restricted to South Africa in its distribution. The Blue Crane stands about one meter high, is light blue-grey, has a long neck, long legs and elegant wing plumes which sweep to the ground. It eats seeds, insects and reptiles. Blue Cranes lay their eggs in the bare veld, often close to water. They are quite common in the Karoo, but are also seen in the grasslands of KwaZulu-Natal and the highveld, usually in pairs or small family parties. The Blue Crane has a distinctive rattling croak, 'kraaaarrrk', fairly high-pitched at call, which can be heard from far away. | ||
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| The national flower | ||
| The national flower is the Giant or King Protea. It is widely distributed in the south-western and southern areas of the Western Cape, from the Cedarberg up to just east of Grahamstown. The artichoke-like appearance of the flower-heads of the King Protea lead to the specific name ‘cynaroides’, which means ‘like cynara’ (the artichoke). The name does not do justice to the beautiful flower-heads of this protea, which is the largest in the genus. A number of varieties in colour and leaf shapes are found, but the most beautiful is the pink coloured flower. The national fish The national fish is the Galjoen and is only found along the South African coast. It keeps to mostly shallow water, is often found in rough surf and sometimes right next to the shore and is known to every angler. Near rocks the colour of the Galjoen is almost completely black, while in sandy areas the colour is silver-bronze. It is also known in KwaZulu-Natal as blackfish or black bream. The record size is over 55 cm and 7 kg, however the average is much smaller. The Galjoen is a game fighter. The diet of the Galjoen consists mainly of red bait (ascidians), small mussels and barnacles. The scales are very firmly attached. The fins are well developed with prominent spines. |
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| The national tree | ||
| The national tree ist the Real Yellowwood which is primeval and has been present in this part of Africa for more than 100 million years. The species is widespread and is found from Table Mountain, along the southern and eastern Cape coast, in the ravines of the Drakensberg up to the Soutpansberg and the Blouberg in the Northern Province. In forests they can grow up to 40 metres in height with the base of the trunk sometimes up to 3 metres in diameter. In contrast, trees that grow in unsheltered places like mountain-slopes, are often short, bushy and gnarled. The bark of the Real Yellowwood is khaki-coloured to grey when it is old, deeply split and peels off in strips. | ||
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| The national fish | ||
| The national fish is the Galjoen and is only found along the South African coast. It keeps to mostly shallow water, is often found in rough surf and sometimes right next to the shore and is known to every angler. Near rocks the colour of the Galjoen is almost completely black, while in sandy areas the colour is silver-bronze. It is also known in KwaZulu-Natal as blackfish or black bream. The record size is over 55 cm and 7 kg, however the average is much smaller. The Galjoen is a game fighter. The diet of the Galjoen consists mainly of red bait (ascidians), small mussels and barnacles. The scales are very firmly attached. The fins are well developed with prominent spines. |
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