Random Article Summary #112

Since South Africa became unified in 1910, it has used many national symbols to represent the country. These include coats of arms and official seals. South Africa also uses flags and national anthems. The country has additional symbols such as floral, bird, and animal emblems. These different symbols help identify and show South Africa’s national identity. The 1910 coat of arms was granted by King George V in 1910 and used until 2000. In 2000, the Mbeki administration introduced a new coat of arms to replace it. South Africa has used several official seals for state documents, each authorised by different authorities over time. These include the Great Seal of the Union (used from 1910 to 1937), royal seals used until 1961, and the Governor-General’s Great Seal (1937 to 1961). From 1961, the Seal of the Republic has been used, and although it has not been required by the Constitution since 1997, it is still used. The National Flag of the Union was authorised by the Union Flags and Nationality Act in 1927 and introduced in 1928. In 1961 it was renamed the “National Flag of the Republic,” and it was used until 1994. The current National Flag was introduced in 1994. The Red Ensign, with the coat of arms added, was approved by the Admiralty in 1910 for South African merchant ships and was sometimes treated like an unofficial national flag. In 1912, the shield was moved onto a white disc, and the ensign was discontinued in 1960. Since then, the national flag has been used as the merchant ensign.