The national flag of South Africa (Zulu: iFulegi laseNingizimu Afrika; Xhosa: iFulegi laseMzantsi Afrika; Afrikaans: Vlag van Suid-Afrika) is a vibrant and symbolic design that holds deep meaning. It consists of a horizontally oriented green Y-shape with yellow and white edges separating the red, blue, and black sections. Each color represents a different aspect of the country's history and aspirations: black symbolizes the nation's black population and their political struggles; yellow stands for the country's natural resources and mineral wealth; green represents the land and agriculture; white symbolizes the European heritage and the quest for harmony between races; blue signifies the sky and the potential for unity; and red represents the sacrifices made for freedom and independence. The "Y" shape symbolizes the unity of diverse cultures and the country's aspirations for reconciliation and progress. The flag was officially adopted on April 27, 1994, at the end of apartheid, and it serves as a powerful symbol of South Africa's unity, diversity, and journey towards a more inclusive and democratic society.
| Proportion: | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Adopted: | April 27, 1994 |
| Designed by: | Frederick Brownell |
| Flag image: | Animated GIF (25 frames looped) |
| Flag emoji code: | 🇿🇦 |
The coat of arms of South Africa is a sophisticated and symbolically rich design, as is the case with the flag. In the coat of arms, ears of wheat symbolize fertility and growth; elephant tusks symbolize wisdom and strength; a shield, spear, and mace represent defense; and human figures symbolize unity. The sun represents the source of life; the secretary bird symbolizes magnificence and ascension; and the protea flower symbolizes the beauty of the land of the country and the blossoming of the country's potential. Below the shield, there's a ribbon with the national motto, "ǃke e꞉ ǀxarra ǁke" in Khoisan, meaning "Diverse People Unite." Overall, the coat of arms reflects the nation's cultural diversity, its historical legacy, and its aspirations for unity, prosperity, and a brighter future.
South Africa, officially known as the Republic of South Africa, is the southernmost country in Africa. Its capitals are Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial), and Cape Town (legislative), and its population is about 60.04 million (2021). According to its land borders, it borders with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.
| Capitals: | Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial), Cape Town (legislative) |
|---|---|
| Other major city: | Johannesburg (largest) |
| Official languages: | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, English and other 7 lang. |
| Region: | Southern Africa |
| Ethnic groups: | 80.2% Black, 8.8% Colored, 8.4% White, 2.5% Asian |
| Religions: | 79.8% Christian, 1.5% Islam, 1.2% Hinduism, 0.3% Traditional Religion, 0.2% Judaism, 15.1% No religion, 1.4% Not stated, 0.5% Other |
| Nationality name: | South African |
| Area: | 1,221,037 km² (471,445 sq mi) |
| Population: | 60.04 million (2021) |
| Country codes: | ZA, ZAF (ISO 3166) |
| Internet Top-Level Domain: | .za |
| Calling code: | +27 |
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