National

Symbols

In

South

AfricaTorben du Toit

C1

M. Kershaw

Terms and Conceptsa) Indigenous knowledge is local knowledge which is unique (indigenous) to a certain people or area. It

becomes the basis of any decisions made with regard to anything. Examples in South Africa would be things like oral history, stories told from generation to generation; knowledge such as hunting methods and the specific steps necessary to make a good shield that are always passed on.

b) Archaeology is the study of past/prehistoric civilizations, cultures and people. This could be related to the excavation of the remains at Mapungubwe which were for research purposes only. Also the studies of remains that proved that humankind originated in Africa.

c) Oral history is the recording, preservation and interpretation of historical information, based on the personal experiences and opinions of the speaker. Examples of this in South Africa could be things like recipes passed on from mother to daughter, a father telling his children stories that have been told for centuries or even someone writing an autobiography.

Bibliography (Terms and Concepts)http://www.worldbank.org/afr/ik/basic.html

(MONDAY, 1 NOVEMBER 2010, 09:29)

http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=archaeology

(THURSDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2010, 22:38)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_history

(THURSDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2010, 22:42)

National Symbols – The Coat Of Arms

The South African Coat of Arms is shaped as two ovals which have been placed over one another in the same manner as the Toyota logo. The oval shape of ascendance is placed over the oval shape of foundation in order to form our coat of arms. The oval shape of foundation includes the motto, the ‘ears of wheat’, the elephant tusks, the humans and the knobkerrie and spear.

The way that the two oval shapes have been arranged symbolizes strength and stability which is fundamental when it comes to a Coat of Arms which a whole country is to stand behind.

Within the oval of foundation:

The motto, which is written in the Khoisan language of the /Xam, means diverse people unite. I think this is very important in our country because we do have a very diverse country with eleven official languages and all of the traditional African cultures.

The ears of wheat symbolise fertility and growth. We are currently still a developing (growing) country and therefore relates to all of us living in the ‘New South Africa’ where our racial segregation during the Apartheid era can no longer keep us from growing strong as a nation.

The elephant tusks symbolise the wisdom of elephants. We are often told that “and elephant never forgets”; this seems quite important to me because we shouldn’t try to forget our past; we should accept the mistakes we make and learn from them.

The shield is also very important because it contains an example of South African rock-art of the Khoisan. The shield symbolises defence. It is important that we protect ourselves physically and mentally so that we can remain strong.

The humans on the field are an ancient rock painting from the Linton Stone. They are an example of our rich history and they are part of our heritage because they were painted by the Khoisan. The humans are painted in a greeting position, which symbolises unity.

The knobkerrie and spear symbolise defence and because they are lying down, they also symbolise peace. They also represent the legs of the secretary bird.

Within the oval of ascendance:

The protea symbolises the blossoming of our nation in terms of unity. It is also our national flower and therefore is part of our heritage as South Africans. The colours of the protea are apparently the most popular in our country and the green and gold are also part of our rugby team’s uniform.

The secretary bird in flight is symbolic of speed and growth. It is very similar to the lion on the ground and is seen as a messenger to the heavens and therefore is the symbol of a divine being. Its spread wings are a symbol of protection and depict ascendance, hence, the oval shape of ascendance. Its protecting wings to me symbolise it taking our injured country under its wing and keeping us safe (pardon the pun).

The rising sun symbolises rebirth which in our country is very important after apartheid. It is the source of light and life.

I think this coat of arms is very appropriate as a national symbol because it shows us that we need to move forward from our past and embrace our heritage. It became our coat of arms ten years ago because the government wanted to showcase the democratic change in our country as well as spark a new sense of patriotism.

Bibliography (National Symbols - The Coat of Arms)http://www.inf.gov.za/aboutgov/symbols/coa/index/htm#The_symbols_of_the_coat_of_arms

(TUESDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 2010, 12:22)

http://www.saembassybulgaria.com/south-africa/symbols/national-coat-of-arms.html

(TUESDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 2010, 12:28)

National Symbols – National Orders

National orders are the highest awards that can be received by any citizen or foreign national of this country. It is given to them by the president of South Africa. The six National Orders in South Africa are as follows:

**The Order of Mapungubwe: For excellence and exceptional achievement. Class 1 = The Platinum Order of Mapungubwe (Platinum)

Class 2 = The Gold Order of Mapungubwe (Gold)

Class 3 = The Bronze Order of Mapungubwe (Bronze)

The Order of the Baobab: For distinguished service above and beyond the call of duty in the following fields:

o Business and Economy

o Science, Medicine and Technological Innovation

o Community Service

Class 1 = Supreme Counsellor of the Order of the Baobab (Gold)

Class 2 = Grand Counsellor of the Order of the Baobab (Silver)

Class 3 = Counsellor of the Order of the Baobab (Bronze)

The Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo: Awarded to foreign nationals and dignitaries for friendship to South Africa. An order which symbolises peace, support and co-operation.

Class 1 = Supreme Companion of OR Tambo (Gold)

Class 2 = Grand Companion of OR Tambo (Silver)

Class 3 = Companion of OR Tambo (Bronze)

o All the awards include four elements: a walking stick, a neck badge, a miniature and a lapel rosette.

The Order of Luthuli: For meaningful contribution toward the struggle for human rights, democracy, nation-building, peace and justice and conflict resolution.

Category 1 = Gold

Category 2 = Silver

Category 3 = Bronze

The order of Ikhamanga: For excellence in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport.

Category 1 = Gold

Category 2 = Silver

Category 3 = Bronze

The Mendi Decoration for Bravery: For those who have performed an extraordinary act of bravery that placed their lives in danger, or for those who lost their own lives in an attempt to save the life of someone else, or by saving property, in our out of South Africa.

Category 1 = Gold

Category 2 = Silver

Category 3 = Bronze

The Reasons behind their Names:

**The Order of Mapungubwe: During the time of the Mapungubwe, it represented excellence of human thought and ingenuity.

The Order of the Baobab: The endurance and tolerance shown by the Baobab tree in becoming old reflects the sustained and exceptional service to South Africa that is awarded by this Order. In the same way, the services rendered ensure the enduring and growing of South Africa.

The Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo: O.R. Tambo played a large role in the growth and development of the international movement of the common struggle against racism and Apartheid. The inspiration also comes from the mole snake which visits babies when they are born. It comes as a friend and protector.

The Order of Luthuli: It symbolises the vision of the late Chief Albert Luthuli for African people to participate in the socio-economic and political development of South Africa.

The Order of Ikhamanga: The Ikhamanga (Strelitzia) plant symbolises the unique beauty of achievements by men and women who carry colourful South African aloft in the fields of creativity, arts, culture, music, journalism and sport.

The Mendi Decoration for Bravery: The shield, made from animal hide, particularly cattle, is processed and woven into an oval product of a very rigid surface and finished off with a wooden handle. The knobkerrie and the spear complement the shield, which is given to visitors who come into our country from all over the world as a symbolic gesture of goodwill.**

The National Orders of our country represent so much of our heritage in terms of indigenous knowledge, archaeology, and oral history in the way they are designed and the reasons behind their names.

The Mapungubwe kingdom was a very prominent and powerful kingdom from the top corner of South Africa. It is part of our heritage and has also been declared a world heritage site. One of the seven in our country. It has also been a very important archaeological dig-site.

The Baobab tree is a tree which is splattered across the oral history of our country and many African “legends and mysteries” are told about it. It is very important to the indigenous people of Southern Africa. The tree gives them bark for cloth and rope, fruit for food, and a shaded area for meetings.

O.R. Tambo was an important anti-Apartheid activist and the mole snake is part of a tradition of the indigenous people if South Africa and comes to protect a new-born baby.

The shape of the Luthuli Order represents a flint which was a tool of survival in ancient times. Chief Luthuli also was the first African recipient of a Nobel Peace Prize in 1961 and therefore is a prominent figure in our heritage as well as in that of every African in the World.

The Strelitzia represents our heritage in the form of arts.

The SS Mendi was carrying many soldiers and officers ho were on their way to help the British fight in France during WW1. The ship sank when it was crashed into by the SS Darro in the English Channel and many soldiers drowned because they couldn’t swim. They were brave men who lost their lives in an attempt to end a war. This is exactly the sort of thing that the order is awarded for.

So the names that were chosen were definitely appropriate because all the names represent something to do with the order. And they do definitely reflect the heritage of South Africans as well as some others on the African continent.

Elements of the Orders

**Order of Mapungubwe:

1) Four corners of the globe - symbolise the achievements of South Africans all over the world.

2) Rising sun - the new dawn emerging from Africa. 3) Mapungubwe Hill - forms the background, a sandstone hill on mudstone

deposit in an arid subtropical area with erratic summer rains. Excavations showed that excellence grew out of the most difficult natural circumstances.

4) Mapungubwe rhino - the now most well-known artefact found in a grave at the excavation site, a gold-plated figurine formed around a soft core, probably sculpted wood, testimony to the excellence of human resourcefulness present in the Kingdom.

5) Mapungubwe scepter - emerging from the gold melting pot on either side; another of the artefacts found in a grave at the excavation site.

6) Decorated gold melting pot - the basic symmetric forms on the overflowing gold melting pot symbolise the abundance of excellence, science and creativity, testimony to the earliest achievements in metallurgy.

7) Furnace - the purifying and life-sustaining properties of fire, employed since the Iron Age, to advance development and excellence in societies and communities.

Order of the Baobab

1) Baobab (Baobab or Adonsonia Digitata ) - known for its roots and longevity. Provides not only shade and a place for meetings, but is also central in supporting the communities it is found in.

2) Nonagon shape - a nine-sided polygon background symbolising the many different areas of possible contribution and service to building a prosperous and advancing nation. The icon is also symbolic of the nine provinces of our country.

3) Exterior organic holding shape - Baobab bark texture finish; the bark is commonly used for the making of mats and hats.

Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo

1) Walking stick - carved out of dark, indigenous wood it is a symbol of appreciation for the support and solidarity shown, and similarly a commitment to support and stand by the recipient in return.

1) Majola - the watchful eye with hooks at both the top and bottom symbolises recognition for the active expression of solidarity and support for South Africa.

2) A tomoye of four sections - is inspired by the universal ying and yang that speak of a meeting point for diverse spiritual energies.

Order of Luthuli

Flint stone 1) Isandlwana Hill – depicts peace and tranquility after the Battle of

Isandlwana in 1879.2) The South African Flag – represents the dawn of freedom and democracy.3) Technology – emphasizes the development of high-tech products.

African Clay Pot4) Two horns – espouse his vision for a democratic, non-racial and non-sexist

South Africa.5) The leopard pattern – represents Chief Luthuli’s trademark headgear.6) Beads – decoration symbolizes the beauty of Africa and the African bull

represents the empowerment and prosperity of the African people.

Order of Inkhamanga

1) Lydenburg Heads – (the arts) – the terracotta head represents visual, creative arts, performance and drama.

2) African drum – relevant to all cultures and representative of the arts, it symbolises excellent talent in communication and cultural celebration.

3) Crest/sun – the crown symbolises a feathered head-dress worn by performers, royalty and respected people. The rays of the sun, which denote power, glory, illumination and vitality, represent the achievements of performers in various fields.

4) Inner ovals or borders – (glorification in sport) – they symbolise the acknowledgement of exceptional achievements in various sporting and cultural activities

5) Roads – (achievement and success) – portray all roads leading to Africa and the Cradle of Humankind, which emphasises the long, hard road to achievement, excellence and success.

The Mendi Decoration for Bravery

The shield

1. The SS Mendi - represents the courage of many black South African soldiers and their fellow white officers who drowned aboard the SS Mendi. The ship sank after being struck and almost cut in half by the SS Darro in the cold waters of the English Channel near the Isle of Wight on 21 February 1917. They were on their way to France to assist the British during the First World War.

2. The blue crane - the flight of the blue crane in the ocean skies above the SS Mendi symbolises the souls of the drowned brave soldiers. The blue crane's feathers were traditionally conferred to adorn brave warriors during colonial wars.

3. The green emerald - the core from which the three pointers emerge represents the way ahead in rendering assistance to those in need during natural disasters and other extreme difficulties that take place from time to time around the globe.

The holding shape

4. Lion - as a symbol of beauty, power and bravery, it is represented by its spoors around the edges of the holding shape. This indicates border patrols, within and beyond our country, by dedicated and brave South Africans. The three geographical pointers are represented by the integration of the flowers of the bitter aloe, an indigenous South African plant symbolic of resilience, survival and medicinal value.

5. Knobkierie and spear - complement the shield as symbols of defence and honour.**

Bibliography (National Symbols – National Orders)http://www.southafrica.info/about/history/mapungubwe.htm

(THURSDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2010, 21:27)

http://www.google.co.za/imgres?imgurl=http://images.bidorbuy.co.za/user_images/593/451593_100403224252_FDC.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/20492831/Philately_3_A3_SA_2005_National_orders_Full_Set.html&usg=__v6UwKwVVS3z0669vFCM82IEo_iQ=&h=285&w=500&sz=27&hl=en&start=0&sig2=ReiqRR0zvKVpBAmkRNss5Q&zoom=1&tbnid=b17iwUyDieZJ-M:&tbnh=111&tbnw=195&ei=0QPTTJq8MoKusAOdyPjoCg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnational%2Borders%2Bin%2Bsa%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D580%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=313&oei=qQPTTLK7OoL58AaEj7GmDw&esq=5&page=1&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0&tx=110&ty=47

(THURSDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2010, 22:11)

**…** INFORMATION FROM:

http://www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/orders/index.htm

(THURSDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2010, 20:00)

http://www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/orders/mapungubwe_english.html

(THURSDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2010, 20:12)

http://www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/orders/boabab_english.html

(THURSDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2010, 20:14)

http://www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/orders/ortambo_english.html

(THURSDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2010, 20:15)

http://www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/orders/luthuli_english.html

(THURSDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2010, 20:17)

http://www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/orders/ikhamanga_english.html

(THURSDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2010, 20:18)

http://www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/orders/mendi_english.html

(THURSDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2010, 20:21)