Countries usually have different symbols to show different things about the country. The symbols also help the people feel that they belong together and should have pride in their country. With the democratic government elected in 1994, South Africa needed new symbols to reflect the new South Africa. These symbols include the coat of arms, the national flag and the national anthem.

1. Coat of arms

The coat of arms is like a country’s badge. It is usually used to stamp official South African items, such as birth certificates or identity documents. Sometimes it appears on buildings too, or on South African coins. It shows that the items are officially South African.

The different pictures making up the coat of arms each have a special meaning, as shown in the diagram below. Take a look at each one. This will come up in the quiz at the end of the lesson. 

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2. The National flag

The national flag we have today was first used in 1994, as another symbol of democracy in South Africa. The different colours mean different things to different people. Read below what some people say about the meaning of the colours used on the flag. 

• red: for blood

• blue: for open, blue sky

• green: for the land

• black: for black people

• white: for white people

• yellow: for the gold found in the country

3. The National Anthem

The national anthem is the official song of a country. South Africa’s national anthem is made up of parts of two different songs:

• ‘Die stem van Suid-Afrika’ (The call of South Africa)

• ‘Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika’ (God bless Africa).

When people sing the national anthem, everyone stands and sings along or listens until it is finished.

‘Die stem’ was the anthem of the apartheid government before 1994, and ‘Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika’ was the anthem of many people who struggled against apartheid.

‘Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika’ was first written as a hymn in 1897 by Enoch Sontonga, a teacher and choirmaster. The hymn became well loved and many people sang it all over South Africa, adding to the song and using different languages too. By 1925, it was always sung at the end of the meetings of the African National Congress.

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