Activity 85: Our country

Our coat of arms

Read more about our coat of arms and ±ll in the correct words.

knobkierie coat of arms elephant tusks secretary bird rock art king protea motto ears of wheat

This is our ___________________. In the green semicircle at the bottom is the ___________________. It reads: !ke e: /xarra //ke. It is in Khoisan and means ‘diverse people unite’ (different people come together). Above the semicircle there are ___________________ on either side. They symbolise wisdom, strength, moderation, and eternity. Next to them are two ___________________. They represent the fertility of the land and the growth of the country. In the middle is a shield with Khoisan ___________________. The Khoisan are the oldest known inhabitants of our country. The two ±gures are greeting each other, which signi±es our unity. Above the shield are a spear and a ___________________. They are lying in a position of peace. Above these, is the national ¶ower, the ___________________. The ¶ower is a symbol of South Africa’s beauty. The bird right at the top is the ___________________ and behind it is a sunrise. This symbolises the rise of a nation and protection, with the sun indicating brightness, splendour, and a new beginning.