Africa · Southern Africa

South Africa

Capital: Pretoria
Population: 59,308,690
Region: Africa
Languages: Afrikaans, English, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swati, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu

Fun fact

South Africa is the only country in the world to have hosted the triple crown of World Cups for soccer, rugby, and cricket. It also boasts the Bloukrans Bridge, which is home to one of the world's highest commercial natural bungee jumps. Furthermore, the country is a premier destination for paleontology, as the Cradle of Humankind site contains some of the oldest hominid fossils ever discovered. These caves have provided vital evidence regarding the evolutionary history of the human species over millions of years.

Currency

The official currency is the South African Rand, which carries the ISO code ZAR. It was introduced in 1961 to coincide with the establishment of the Republic, replacing the British Pound at a rate of two Rand to one Pound. Notably, the current 'Big Five' banknote series features the images of South Africa's iconic wildlife, while the newer 'Nelson Mandela' series honors the former president’s legacy.

Flag symbolism

The unique Y-shape, referred to as a pall, represents the convergence of diverse elements within South African society into a single unified path forward. While the colors have no single official meaning, the combination acknowledges the country's complex history by incorporating the red, white, and blue of former colonial flags alongside the black, green, and gold of the African National Congress. This design was adopted in 1994 to symbolize the transition to a non-racial democracy. The layout serves as a visual metaphor for reconciliation and the 'Rainbow Nation' philosophy.

Emblem history

The national coat of arms, introduced in 2000, features the Khoisan motto '!ke e: /xarra //ke', which translates to 'diverse people unite' in an extinct language. At the center is a shield depicting two human figures from ancient rock art greeting one another, symbolizing the foundations of community and humanity. Above the shield, a secretary bird with outstretched wings represents growth and protection, while the ears of wheat and tusks of an elephant signify fertility and strength. The entire emblem is framed by a protea flower, the national floral symbol that reflects the country's natural beauty and potential for rebirth.