NS
Vol 7 No 1-2 (December 2001)
Editorial[1]
The end of an era?
THE end of January 2002 will see the departure from the Bureau of Heraldry of Frederick Gordon Brownell, who joined the Bureau as Assistant State Herald on 1 August 1977, and was appointed State Herald on 1 May 1982. As State Herald, he followed in the footsteps of Dr Coenraad Beyers, who was appointed State Herald in a caretaker capacity when the Bureau was established on 1 June 1963, and Mr Norden Frederick Hartman, who was State Herald from 1 December 1964 until 30 April 1982.
Between them, these three State Heralds built up the Bureau into a heraldic authority with a sound international reputation. Over the past 900 years, heraldry has regularly adapted to changing requirements. In South Africa, especially over the past quarter of a century, much has been achieved in creating a distinctive local heraldic idiom, which has drawn on the rich diversity of our multi-cultural society. This has been done while remaining within the broad mainstream of international heraldic development, which has concurrently been enriched in the process.
Fred’s tenure of 19 years and nine months as State Herald is one of the longest as head of an official heraldic authority over the past century. It ranks not far behind that of Sir Thomas Innes of Learney, who was Lord Lyon for 24 years, and his son Sir Malcolm Innes of Edingight, who retired early in 2001, after having completed 20 years as Lyon. No Garter Principal King of Arms in the past century has served as long.
The registers of the Bureau of Heraldry pay silent tribute to the heraldic standards that have been maintained in South Africa during Fred’s tenure as State Herald. To him heraldry soon became more than a job – it was a calling. Flags also fascinated him and his most notable contribution to the people of South Africa has been the design of our highly successful national flag, which was taken into use on 22 April 1994. For his pivotal role in the creation of this national symbol he was honoured in 1995 with the “Vexillon” award of the International Federation of Vexillological Associations. For this and other services to South Africa he was also invested by President Mandela with the Order for Meritorious Service, Class II (Silver), the local equivalent of a knighthood. This is a rare distinction for a civil servant.
It is not widely known that Fred, in fact, retired as State Herald at the end of July 2000. In 1999 the Cabinet mandated the Heraldry Council to put forward proposals for a new national coat of arms after a process of public participation. The Council’s proposals did not, however, find favour and the latter part of the process was in effect, taken out by the Government Communication and Information System. It is perhaps, not a coincidence that the State Herald gave notice of his intention to take early retirement one day after Cabinet adopted the new national “coat of arms”. There are many who would hesitate to refer to it as a coat of arms, feeling that “national emblem” would be a more appropriate description.
In the best interests of the Bureau of Heraldry, Fred however agreed to continue as State Herald (on contract, on a part-time basis), until the appointment of a successor. He understood that this process would not take long, but almost a year and a half since his retirement, no appointment has yet been announced. He has consequently decided to terminate his contract with effect from the end of January 2002. By then he will have completed more than 40 years in the civil service, having joined on 2 January 1962.
What is a matter of some concern to the heraldic fraternity in South Africa, is that the advertisement calling for applications for the post of head of the Bureau of Heraldry, which were published during May 2000, makes no mention of any knowledge of heraldry as being a requirement! It refers instead, to “The Bureau … being repositioned to make a major contribution to the reaffirmation of human dignity and cultural traditions and to the symbolic representation of the concept of the African Renaissance”. The intention, it would seem, is to counteract the perception that heraldry is “eurocentric”. Significantly, the post has also been upgraded to Director level.
That the further adaptation of heraldry to the South African situation is necessary, is by no means in dispute. However, one can only hope that whoever takes over as head of the Bureau of Heraldry, will take cognizance of heraldry’s rich heritage, which is applied virtually throughout the world, and build on it in a positive and responsible manner.
As a well-ordered system of identity and identification, the framework created by our heraldic predecessors offers wonderful opportunities. May we continue to be able to take pride in this country’s heraldic achievements in the future.
PS: No announcement has been made, as yet, but I believe that the appointment of Themba Mabaso, Deputy Director the Johannesburg Art Museum, has been approved by the Minister.
RAL
