2. South Africa

3. South Africa’s Coat of Arms was launched on Freedom Day, 27th April 2000. A national Coat of Arms, or state emblem, is the highest visual symbol of the State. 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.

4. Map of South Africa

5. History In 1654 the first settlement in South Africa began. The settlers were Dutch farmers known as Boers. Towards the end of the 17th century a large number of Huguenots (French Protestants) also arrived. The Cape Colony prospered, but in 1806, during the Napolionic Wars, it was invaded by the British.

6. History: The Boers spoke their own language, Afrikaans. objected to British Rule. In 1835, many Boers headed north in search of farmland. Their journey has been known as the Great Trek. founded two independent republics, the Transvaal and the Orange Free State The Arrival of Jan van Riebeck, the first European to settle in South Africa, with Devil’s Peak in the Background

7. The Orange Free State

8. The Transvaal Gold and diamonds were discovered in the Transvaal. The discovery attracted thousands of new settlers. The Boers reacted with hostility as they wanted the riches for themselves. War broke out in 1899 and lasted until 1902 when the Boers were finally defeated by the British.

9. The Union of South Africa was formed in 1910. was given a similar status as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

10. Apartheid In 1948 the white Afrikaner Nationalist Party introduced Apartheid. This was heavily criticized by the United Nations and the British Commonwealth. A number of countries put economic sanctions on South Africa.

11. The African National Congress (ANC) Was founded as early as 1912. The ANC struggled for fifty years to gain civil rights by peaceful means. In 1960 they were banned and had to work underground. In 1990, Nelson Mandela, the leader of ANC, was released from prison after serving a 27-year sentence. In 1994, Nelson Mandela was elected President of South Africa.

12. National Symbols National Coat of Arms National Flag National Anthem National Bird The Blue Crane National Fish Galjoen National Flower King Protea National Animal The Sprinkbok National Tree Real Yellowwood