South Africa / Mzantsi Afrika / Afrika Borwa /

Suid-Afrika / Ningizumu Afrika /Afrika Dzonga /Afrika Sewula / Afrika Tshipembe

Circle of ascendance:
At the base of the grouping of symbols analogous to the crest of conventional heraldry is a protea flower, resting on the crossed spear and knobkierie.

The national flower is Protea cynaroides,^[1] a fynbos species found in nature between the Boland and the Albany district (Grahamstown area). Typically it has whitish florets in an inflorescence surrounded by bracts (“petals”) that are usually pink, but in some varieties can be bright red. It characteristically has an inflorescence 150 mm or more in circumference, although one local variety (found in the Port Elizabeth district) has inflorescences only 60 mm across.

Proteaceous species are one of the characteristic vegetation types of fynbos. Fynbos, in turn, is the dominant division (the other is forest) of the Cape Floral Kingdom, and is a veld type which displays a high species diversity and a high degree of adaptation to local climatic and soil conditions.

P cynaroides also represents the protea family in other parts of the country, and of other parts of Africa. Non-fynbos species of protea grow in many parts of the eastern half of the country, while other species are found to the north of South Africa, especially in high-lying regions. One species, P gaguedi, is found in nature from Zimbabwe in the south to Ethiopia in the north, and westwards as far as the highlands of Senegal.

However, the protea shown is a stylisation of P cynaroides, and is drawn as a series of triangles and trapezoids. The bracts appear in green and gold, while the head of the inflorescence is composed of triangles in colours derived from the national flag in use since 1994.

The official description reads: “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 Renassance. 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.”

Another part of the official description states: “The petals of the protea are rendered in a triangular pattern reminiscent of the crafts of Africa.” (The so-called petals are in fact groupings of the heads of the florets.)

 

Emerging from behind the protea are the head, neck and wings of a secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius).

Found in many parts of South Africa, as well as of African countries far to the north, the secretary bird is the only living bird of prey of terrestrial habits. It has a slender, powerful bird 120 cm long and with a 210 cm wingspan. It has 20 black crest feathers sticking horizontally and slightly down out of the back of the head, which make it look as if it is carrying quill pens behind its ears, as secretaries once did.

In nature it has a light grey body, black thighs and flight feathers, and white wing linings. Its tail has a pair of long central streamers, and its legs are long and have thick scales to protect the bird from snakebite.

In the arms, this bird is coloured entirely unnaturally in three shades ranging from gold to brown.

The official description reads: “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 . . . 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 is [sic] 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 final part of the device is the rising sun, depicted as a semi-circle of golden triangles (introducing a further two shades of gold) floating in mid-air above the secretary bird’s head.

The official description reads: “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.”