National Identity and Pride

Proudly South African We are part of a country of diverse cultures, races and peoples. Some of us might originate from the Northern Hemisphere. Others must come from North or Central Africa while others might come from Southern Africa. The one thing that we all have in common, however, is that we are now South African. South Africa has a special day on which we celebrate being South African. It is called Heritage Day and falls on the 24th of September each year. After the 1994 elections South Africa celebrated by adopting a new flag and a new National Anthem. Our brightly coloured flag reminds us that we are part of a diverse nation of which we can be proud. Below is an explanation of our flag from the government website (http://www.dfa.gov.za)

The Flag The national flag was designed by a former South African State Herald, Mr Fred Brownell 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 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 of the National Coat of Arms, "Unity is Strength".

The National Anthem This is the official version of the national anthem, combining Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika and Die Stem / The Call of South Africa Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo, Yizwa imithandazo yethu, Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo. Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso, O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho, O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso, Setjhaba sa South Afrika - South Afrika. 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 Coat of Arms

The Role of 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. Your smallest coin has it on one of its sides. 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 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.

The National Animal Springbuck/SpringbokAntidorcas marsupialisTypical of this species is the ‘pronk’ (jumping display) which lead to its common name. 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.

The National Bird Blue CraneAnthropoides paradisiaThis elegant crane, that stands about one meter high, is almost entirely restricted to South Africa in its distribution.  The Blue Crane is a light blue-grey, has a long neck supporting a rather bulbous head, 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. It is, however, usually quiet.The habitat of the Blue Crane is open grass fields or Karoo-like plains with low shrubby bushes. It likes wet parts and lays its two eggs on the ground. It grazes in the field and eats seeds, insects and small reptiles.

The National Fish GaljoenCoracinus capensisThe Galjoen is found only 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

The National Flower Giant or King ProteaProtea cynaroidesThe Giant or King Protea 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 Tree Real YellowwoodPodocarpus latifoliusThe Yellowwood family 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. The crown is relatively small in relation to its height and is often covered with grey lichen. Male and female cones resemble pine cones and are white, light green or pink. The female cone has a fleshy podocarpium on which the seed, which takes on the shape and colour of a cherry, develops.

Consider the Following Do you think that National symbols have a role to play in a country? If so, what is their role? (5) What impact do you think the development of a new Coat of Arms, Flag and National Anthem has had on the attitude of South Africans to their country? (5) Write an interpretation of the flag from your own experience. (10) Total 20 marks