National symbols of South Africa
Since unification in 1910, South Africa has used a range of National Symbols to identify the country: coats of arms, official seals, flags, national anthems, and floral, bird, animal, and other emblems.
Coats of arms
Seals
- Great Seal of the Union - authorised by King George V in 1910, and used until 1937 on state documents signed by the governor-general.[1]
- Royal Great Seal of the Union - authorised by the Royal Executive Functions and Seals Act 1934, and used until 1961 on state documents signed by the monarch on the advice of the South African government.[3]
- Royal Signet of the Union - authorised by the Royal Executive Functions and Seals Act 1934, and used until 1961 on state documents signed by the monarch on the advice of the South African government.[3]
- Governor-General's Great Seal - authorised by King George VI in 1937, and used until 1961 on state documents signed by the governor-general.[4]
- Seal of the Republic - authorised by the Republic of South Africa Constitution Act 1961, and used on state documents signed by the (state) president.[5] The use of the seal has not been a constitutional requirement since 1997,[6] but its use continues nevertheless.
Flags
National
- National Flag of the Union - authorised by the Union Flags and Nationality Act 1927, and introduced in 1928. Renamed the "National Flag of the Republic" in 1961,[7] it was used until 1994.
- National Flag - the current flag, introduced in 1994.
Merchant ensign
- Red Ensign defaced with the shield of the coat of arms - authorised by the Admiralty in 1910, for use on South African-registered merchant ships, and also used as an unofficial "national flag". From 1912, the shield was placed on a white disc.[1] The ensign was discontinued in 1960.[8]
- Since 1960, the national flag has been used as the merchant ensign.[8]
Civil ensign
- Blue Ensign defaced with the shield of the coat of arms - authorised by the Admiralty in 1910, for use on South African government vessels. Superseded by the National Flag of the Union.[1]
Head of state's flag
- Union Jack defaced with the full coat of arms surrounded by acacia leaves and flowers - flown by the governor-general until 1931.[1]
- Governor-General's flag - blue, displaying the royal crest between two ribands bearing the name of the country. Used from 1931 to 1961.[1]
- State President's flag (1) - blue, displaying the national coat of arms below the letters SP. Used from 1961 to 1984.[1]
- State President's flag (2) - orange, white, and blue triangles, displaying the national coat of arms below the letters SP. Used from 1984 to 1994.[1]
National Anthem
- God Save the King (Queen) - used from 1910 to 1957.
- Die Stem van Suid-Afrika - used from 1938 to 1957 as joint anthem with God Save the King (Queen); from 1957 to 1994 as the sole national anthem; and from 1994 to 1997 as joint anthem with Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika.
- Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika - used from 1994 to 1997 as joint anthem with Die Stem.
- National Anthem of South Africa - shortened versions of Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika and Die Stem, with altered words, combined into a single anthem, and used since 1997.[9]
Other symbols
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Brownell, F.G. (1993). National and Provincial Symbols
- ^ Government Gazette no 21131 (28 April 2000)
- ^ a b Royal Executive Functions and Seals Act 1934
- ^ Government Gazette no 2533 (6 June 1938)
- ^ Republic of South Africa Constitution Acts 1961, 1983, 1993
- ^ Republic of South Africa Constitution 1996
- ^ Republic of South Africa Constitution Act 1961
- ^ a b Merchant Shipping Act 1951 w.e.f. 1 January 1960
- ^ Government Gazette no 18341 (10 October 1997)
- Brownell, F.G. (1993). National and Provincial Symbols.
- Burgers, A.P. (2008). The South African Flag Book.
- Pama, C. (1965). Lions and Virgins.
See also
External links