South Africa, a nation with an enviable variety of ethnicities, cultures, languages, histories, landscapes, and biodiversity, uses national symbols to help build a shared history, identity, pride, and values. These symbols, including the national anthem, flag, sports stars, and artists, play a crucial role in shaping a collective identity.
Reflecting its mega-biodiversity status, South Africa boasts five national animal and plant symbols: the national animal (springbok), fish (galjoen), bird (blue crane), flower (king protea), and tree (real yellowwood). However, their usefulness in helping build a national identity depends on South Africans actually knowing what they are.
Let's delve into the details of these symbols, starting with the Coat of Arms.
The Coat of Arms of South Africa
South Africa’s Coat of Arms was launched on Freedom Day, 27 April 2000. The present coat of arms was introduced on Freedom Day, 27 April 2000, and was designed by Iaan Bekker. It replaced the earlier national arms, which had been in use since 1910.
The coat of arms is a series of elements organised in distinct symmetric egg-like or oval shapes placed on top of one another. The completed structure of the coat of arms combines the lower and higher oval shape in a symbol of infinity. The path that connects the lower edge of the scroll, through the lines of the tusks, with the horizon above and the sun rising at the top, forms the shape of the cosmic egg from which the secretary bird rises.
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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 Seal of the Republic on it, as this means that it has been approved by the president of South Africa.
The first element is the motto, in a green semicircle. Completing the semicircle are two symmetrically placed pairs of elephant tusks pointing upwards. The shape of the shield makes reference to the drum, and contains two human figures from Khoisan rock art. Above the shield are a spear and a knobkierie, crossed in a single unit. Immediately above the oval shape of foundation, is the visual centre of the Coat of Arms, a protea. The secretary bird is placed above the protea and the flower forms the chest of the bird. The secretary bird stands with its wings uplifted in a regal and uprising gesture. The rising sun above the horizon is placed between the wings of the secretary bird and completes the oval shape of ascendance. The combination of the upper and lower oval shapes intersect to form an unbroken infinite course, and the great harmony between the basic elements result in a dynamic, elegant and thoroughly distinctive design.
Here's a breakdown of the key elements:
- Elephant Tusks: Elephants symbolise wisdom, strength, moderation and eternity.
- Shield: It has a dual function as a vehicle for the display of identity and of spiritual defence. It contains the primary symbol of our nation.
- Khoisan Figures: The figures are derived from images on the Linton stone, a world-famous example of South African rock art, now housed and displayed in the South African Museum in Cape Town. The Khoisan, the oldest known inhabitants of our land and most probably of the Earth, testify to our common humanity and heritage as South Africans and as humanity in general. The figures are depicted in an attitude of greeting, symbolising unity. This also represents the beginning of the individual’s transformation into the greater sense of belonging to the nation and by extension, collective humanity.
- Spear and Knobkierie: Dual symbols of defence and authority, they in turn represent the powerful legs of the secretary bird. The spear and knobkierie are lying down, symbolising peace.
- Protea: The protea is an emblem of the beauty of our land and the flowering of our potential as a nation in pursuit of the African Renaissance. The protea symbolises the holistic integration of forces that grow from the Earth and are nurtured from above.
- Secretary Bird: The secretary bird is characterised in flight, the natural consequence of growth and speed. It is the equivalent of the lion on Earth. A powerful bird whose legs - depicted as the spear and knobkierie - serve it well in its hunt for snakes, symbolising protection of the nation against its enemies. It is a messenger of the heavens and conducts its grace upon the Earth. In this sense it is a symbol of divine majesty. Its uplifted wings are an emblem of the ascendance of our nation, while simultaneously offering us its protection. It is depicted in gold, which clearly symbolises its association with the sun and the highest power.
- Rising Sun: An emblem of brightness, splendour and the supreme principle of the nature of energy, it symbolises the promise of rebirth, the active faculties of reflection, knowledge, good judgement and willpower. It is the symbol of the source of life, of light and the ultimate wholeness of humanity.
The then Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology requested ideas for the new Coat of Arms from the public last year. Based on the ideas received, along with input from the Cabinet, a brief was written. The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) then approached Design South Africa - an umbrella body representing design agencies across the country - to brief ten of the top designers. Three designers were chosen to present their concepts to the Cabinet. Mr Iaan Bekker's design was chosen for the new Coat of Arms.
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The South African Motto
The motto is: ǃke e꞉ ǀxarra ǁke, written in the Khoisan language of the ǀXam people, literally meaning "diverse people unite". It addresses each individual effort to harness the unity between thought and action. An emblem of fertility, it also symbolises the idea of germination, growth and the feasible development of any potential.
National Biodiversity Symbols
South Africa's national biodiversity symbols represent the country's rich natural heritage. These symbols include:
Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis)
The first national animal to be used as a symbol in South Africa was the springbuck (or springbok), proposed in 1906 as a name for the country’s rugby team ahead of a tour of Europe. The springbok is well known for its characteristic jumping display - pronk in Afrikaans. Both sexes have horns, but those of the ram are thicker and rougher. They are found in the Free State, North West and Karoo up to the west coast.
Blue Crane (Anthropoides paradiseus)
The Blue Crane is almost entirely indigenous to the country. Blue cranes lay their eggs in the bare veld, often close to water. They are usually in pairs or small family parties. The largest populations occur in the Eastern Cape, east of Grahamstown, a biodiversity hotspot and a Unesco World Heritage site.
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Galjoen (Dichistius capensis)
South Africa's national fish is the galjoen (Dichistius capensis). It occurs from Namibia to Durban, and nowhere else in the world. The galjoen is known for its fighting qualities, abundance and popularity. It is sometimes right next to the shore, and is known to anglers as a game fighter.
King Protea (Protea cynaroides)
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The King Protea is South Africa's national flower and is an emblem of the beauty of the land and the flowering of the nation’s potential.
Real Yellowwood (Podocarpus latifolius)
These trees can live for more than a thousand years, growing up to 3m in diameter. Old trees, especially those growing on mountain slopes, are often short, bushy and gnarled. The bark of the real yellowwood is fairly smooth when young, becoming deeply split and peels off in strips. The bark is often covered with grey lichen.
Knowledge of National Symbols
A study was conducted to find out how much South Africans know about the five biodiversity symbols. It was found that only a tiny fraction could name all of them. The level of knowledge about them was generally low. This indicates that these symbols can’t be effectively used to help build a common South African identity.
In a survey of 382 urban dwellers, only 11 respondents (3%) could name all five symbols, while almost half (48%) could not correctly name a single one. The most widely known were the springbok (40%) and the king protea (40%), perhaps because they correspond to the names of national sporting teams.
Only eight people knew the meaning of the phrase at the base of the coat of arms (ǃke e꞉ǀxarraǁke, meaning “diverse people unite” in the |Xam language of the country’s original inhabitants). Only 29% correctly knew that the Y-shape in the middle of the national flag was green.
It’s clear that a great deal more effort is needed to popularise the national biodiversity symbols if they’re to be used to help shape a national identity in South Africa. They could be promoted in schools where other national symbols, like the flag and anthem, are common.
The South African National Biodiversity Institute and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture could promote them during September’s heritage month celebrations. They could engage the public by popularising their names in the different official languages of the country and their roles in folklore and indigenous knowledge.
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