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South African Coat of
Arms
The
role of a 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 design of the new Coat of Arms
The Coat of Arms is a series of elements organised in two
distinct circles placed on top of one another.
- The lower circle represents the elements of Foundation:
The first element is the Motto, in a green semicircle.
Completing the semicircle are two symmetrically placed pairs of elephant tusks pointing
upwards. Within the circle formed by the tusks are two symmetrical ears of wheat, that in
turn frame a centrally placed gold shield.
The shape of the shield makes reference to the drum, and
contains two human figures from Khoisan rock art. The figures are depicted facing one
another in greeting and in unity.
Above the shield are placed a spear and a knobkierie,
crossed in a single unit. These elements are arranged harmoniously to give focus to the
shield and complete the lower circle of foundation.
- The circle of Ascendance:
Immediately above the circle 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 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 distinctive head feathers of the secretary bird crown a
strong and vigilant head.
The rising sun above the horizon is placed between the
wings of the secretary bird and completes the circle of ascendance.
The combination of the upper and lower circles intersect to
form an unbroken infinite course, and the great harmony between the basic elements result
in a dynamic, elegant and thoroughly distinctive design. Yet it clearly retains the
stability, gravity and immediacy that a Coat of Arms demands.
The symbols of the new Coat of Arms
The circle of FoundationThe motto is: !ke e: /xarra //ke, written in the Khoisan language of the /Xam
people, literally meaning: 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 pride - Unity in
Diversity.
Pronunciation of !ke e: /xarra //ke:
- The ears of wheat
An emblem of fertility, it also symbolises the idea of germination, growth and the
feasible development of any potential. It relates to the nourishment of the people and
signifies the agricultural aspects of the earth.
- Elephant Tusks
Elephants symbolise wisdom, strength, moderation and eternity.
- The 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.
- The human 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,
testify to our common humanity and heritage as South Africans. 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.
- The 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.
The circle of AscendanceThe 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
poplar colours of Africa have been assigned to the protea – green, gold, red and
black.
- 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 power.
- The 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 completed structure of the Coat of Arms combines the
lower and higher circles 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 which the sun rises at
the top, forms the shape of the cosmic egg from which the secretary bird rises. In the
symbolic sense this is the implied rebirth of the spirit of our great and heroic nation.
The Design Process
The 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. He is a director of the FCB Group and has designed
numerous corporate identities for public and private sector organisations.
The new Coat of Arms enhances
Batho Pele
Batho Pele
is a Sesotho phrase meaning ‘People First’, committing the public service
to serve all the people of South Africa. The Batho Pele values and
principles underpin the country’s coat of arms. On 1 October 1997, the public service
embarked on a Batho Pele campaign aimed at improving service delivery, to the
public. For this new approach to succeed some changes need to take place. Public service
systems, procedures, attitudes and behaviour need to better serve its customers – the
public.
Batho Pele is a commitment to values and principles:
- Regular consultation with customers about the quality of
services provided
- Setting service standards specifying the quality of services
that customers can expect
- Increasing access to services especially to those
disadvantaged by racial, gender, geographical, social, cultural, physical, communication,
and attitude related barriers
- Ensuring higher levels of courtesy by specifying and
adhering to set standards for the treatment of customers
- Providing more and better information about services so that
customers have full, accurate, relevant and up-to-date information about the services they
are entitled to receive
- Increasing openness and transparency about how services are
delivered, the resources they use and who is in charge
- Remedying failures and mistakes so that when problems occur,
there is a positive response and resolution to the problem
- Giving the best possible value for money so that customers
feel their contribution to the state through taxation, is used effectively and efficiently
and savings are ploughed back to further improve service delivery.
Batho Pele is about eliminating wasteful and
expensive internal systems that were not designed to put the needs of the people first. It
is also about making sure that the Public Service’s financial planning is in line
with the public’s needs and priorities.
Most of the improvements that the public would like to see
cost nothing. Things such as: a smile, treating customers with respect and being honest
when providing information and apologising if things go wrong. These are not a matter of
additional resources - they are a matter of adopting different standards of behaviour.
Improving service delivery is about re-aligning everything
we do to ‘customer service’ principles. The implementation of Batho Pele
is not a once-off task. It is a continuous, dynamic process, that will go on for many
years, gathering momentum all the time.
We need to work jointly, as the Government and the
public, to make the principles of Batho Pele a reality for a nation at work for a
better life.
Compiled by: Government Communication and
Information System (GCIS), April 2000 |
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