THE NATIONAL COAT OF ARMS OF SOUTH AFRICA History of the national coat of arms.
The new national coat of arms was introduced on freedom day(27th April 2000),replacing the earlier national coat of arms,which was used ever since 1910 until 2000. Thabo Mbeki addressed the nation concerning the new South African coat of arms.
Previous national coat of arms of south africa
Meanings of all elements to the south African people
The Motto under the shield.
The motto is: !ke e: /xarra //ke, written in Khoisan language, which means: diverse people unite. It addresses each individual effort to harness the unity between thought and action. On a collective scale it calls for the nation to unite in a common sense of belonging and national
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Immediately above the oval shape of foundation, is the visual centre of the coat of arms, a protea. The petals of the protea are rendered in a triangular pattern reminiscent of the crafts of Africa.
The 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 grows from the earth and are nurtured from above. The most popular colours of Africa have been assigned to the protea – green, gold, red and black. The protea is also a symbol of peace offering between all the race.
The 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, whilst simultaneously offering us its protection. It is depicted in gold, which clearly symbolises its association with the sun and the highest