South Africa

Country of My People

Nkosazana Roxi KleinhausBasic Facts for Gr 4 – Gr 6 learners

Learning about our National Identity

• We are all familiar with our National Symbols - the National Coat of Arms, the National Anthem, and the National Flag. We see them all around us every day.

• But how much do we really know about their history, their symbolism, and

theimportant values they promote and that we all share as South Africans?

Proudly South African

Pride and prejudiceBeing proud to be a South African does not mean looking down on others. In the same way that being proud of our school or choir does not mean lookingdown on other schools or learners who are not lucky enough to sing in the choir. Arrogance* and prejudice are the bad brothers and sisters of pride.We even have special words for pre-judging people... from other countries – xenophobia*; from other race groups – racism*; from other sexes – sexism*; and so on.

A person’s national identity comes from their sense of belonging to a country,

being proud of its history, cultures, languages, landscapes and traditions.

Identity is about belonging.

We all belong to different social

groups. We take on different roles in

different social spaces or contexts.

Our understanding of ourselves and

the different roles we play

in different contexts shapes our

identity - who we are.

This is Who We Are…The Republic of South Africa, as the name already indicates, is located in the very south of the African continent.

It is bordered by the Indian Ocean

in the east and the Atlantic Ocean in the

west.

The capital is Pretoria, which is in the north of the country. Around 50 million people live in South

Africa.

A long time ago, people from many different countries like India, the Netherlands and

Germany came to South Africa. This is why today people like to call South Africa the “Rainbow Nation”: it’s a mixture of many

different cultures, religions and languages. Imagine: 11 official languages are spoken in South Africa! However, the largest part of

South Africa’s population is of African origin.

A Rainbow Nation

Nelson Mandela once said “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

South Africa is called the "Rainbow Nation", a term coined by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, on the possibility of interracial harmony in South Africa. The term "Rainbow Nation" was later adopted by then President Nelson Mandela. There are 30 plus ethnic groups in South Africa with the Zulu being the largest group.There are 11 official languages in South Africa.

Our National Flag is the most commonly used visual symbol of South Africa. No matter where you are in the world, if you see this Flag, you will know that either a South African or a friend of South Africa is near.Our new National Flag Our new National Flag was hoisted* for the first time at one minute past midnighton the morning of 27 April 1994. All across South Africa, and throughout the world, people who saw this new Flag blowing in the wind for the first time, stood still for a moment and knew that democratic change had finally come to South Africa. They saw a flag that was fresh, confident*and joyful with colour. There were no pictures or references to flags of the past in the design. There was nothing in the design that could favour one group over another. The only symbol that came across clearly was the message of unity.Unity in the design of the National Flag The South African National Flag is made up of strong, bold lines of colour. The central design begins as a ‘V’ at the flag post, comes together in the centre, and extends as a horizontal band to the edge. This simple ‘two into one’ design reinforces the motto in the Coat of Arms – !ke e: /xarra //ke – meaning ‘diverse people unite’.

Our flag is a clear example of South Africa’s commitment to non-discrimination.The colours of the flag were deliberately not given any official symbolic meaning. We are free to make the colours of the flag personally meaningful, as long as we remember to celebrate* diversity and unite to co-operate for the good of all.

There are specific rules about how the flag should be raised. There are also rules like… * the flag should not touch the ground * it should not be used as a table cloth * it must not be used to start or end off any kind of competition and more…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhUMsqei7kM&feature=player_embedded

Arrogance – proud to a faultHomophobia – hatred of gays andlesbiansPrejudice – to unfairly pre-judgePride – a healthy respect for oneselfand othersRacism – to judge people not for whothey are, but because of the colour oftheir skinSexism – to judge women negativelyon the basis of their sexXenophobia – hatred of foreigners

I owe my being to the hills and the valleys, the mountains andthe glades*, the rivers, the deserts, the trees, the flowers,the seas and the ever-changing seasons that define theface of our native land...

Discrimination - unfair treatment of aperson or group because of their race,nationality, language, age, sex, looks,handicap, etc.Dispossession – deprived of landEnshrine – protect from changeFreely elected representatives – thefew people who were voted for by themany to be their ‘voice’ in parliamentIgnominious – humiliating andshamefulJustice – just or fair treatmentMeted – forced ontoReconciliation – when people whohave been fighting agree to worktogetherTransition – when something is busychanging from one state to anotherUnquenchable – a thirst that cannotbe satisfied

Aspiration – ambitionChauvinism – war-like belief that yourgroup is better than anotherCollective – of a group, as oneCompel – forceDepict – show in a painting or drawingDerive – get fromImpulse – deep wish or desireInclusive – not leaving anything oranybody outInherit – receive from ancestorsInscribe – written onto or engraved intoInterdependent – need and relying onone anotherObligation – moral dutyPerish – diePledge – very serious promisePreservation – kept safe and in goodconditionSolidarity – united and supportive ofeach otherTransform – change from one thing toanother

South Africa is not only known for its diversity of cultures, it is also home to hundreds of different types of mammals, birds and reptiles,

such as zebras, elephants, crocodiles and even penguins. We are especially known for the Big Five.

Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis)Springbok feed on grass and leaves and are found in the dry parts of the Free State, Karoo and the North West, where they can survive for long periods without water. Our ancestors respected these animals as they provided them with meat to eat and skins to make clothes and drums.Springbok are well known for their graceful leaps into the air – as if theyhave springs under their hooves. They are symbolic of agility*, confidence*and endurance*, which is why our national rugby team chose to be

called the Springboks.

landOur National Animals are…

springbok

marine

The name of this fish, ‘Galjoen,’ comes from the Dutch word for a 16thcentury warship called a ‘galleon’.Our National Fish got its name fromthese magnificent ships because it isfamous for its strong, healthy, fightingspirit.The Galjoen is found only along theSouth African coast. It feeds near theshore in shallow water on red bait,mussels and barnacles. It is oftenfound in rough surf* and sometimesright next to the shore, and is wellknown to all fishermen. Near rocksthe colour of the Galjoen is almostcompletely black, while insandy areas its colour is silver-bronze.Galjoen makes for good eatingif you have the patience and skill to catch it.

Blue Crane (Anthropoides paradisea)There are cranes all over the world, BUT THE "LUE #Rane is found only in Southern Africa. This tall, dignified*bird loves open, dry grassland where it feeds mainly on insects and seeds. Unfortunately, THE "LUE #Rane also loves to eat wheat and maize, so farmers have seen them as pests*and have often killed them. And as towns and cities grow, they take up more and more land, reducing the amount of grassland available for these magnificent* birds. As a result THE "LUE #Rane is an endangered* species*THE "LUE #Rane has long been a symbol of bravery. WHEN A "LUE #Rane is threatened, it puffs up its head, performs an aggressive war dance, and hisses like a deadly cobra.THE "LUE #Rane is a favourite instories of bravery told by the Xhosaspeakingpeople of the Eastern Cape, and it was a tradition to award "LUE #Rane (Indwe) feathers to outstanding warriors. These warriors were then called Izithwalandwe, and regarded as reliable*, outstanding and brave servants of the nation.The African National Congress adopted this tradition by awarding the Isithwalandwe to its outstandingleaders, such as Chief Albert Luthuli and Dr Yusuf Dadoo National Living Heritage SymbolsIn South Africa we are privileged* to have so many protected* areas* where we can admire Mother Nature’s awesome* beauty as it has been for thousands of years. To celebrate and to remind us of this natural wealth, that belongs to us all, South Africa has chosen these National Living Heritage Symbols.

Blue crane galjoen

sky

SPRINGBOK http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=FZyjiEhtBLU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ba3UxqXiXU&feature=player_detailpagehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHjIYn0lBRM&feature=player_detailpage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ANGD5cE2WoQ

BLUE CRANEhttp://www.arkive.org/blue-crane/anthropoides-paradiseus/videos.html

GALJOENhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Auf28N9hK8A

You Tube Videos about the …

Thousands of plant species grow in South Africa, but woods are very rare. Grasslands and mountainous regions are only one aspect of the country.

Our National Plants are…FLOWER

King Protea Real Yellow WoodThe protea is named after the Greek god Proteus, who could change his shape.There are many varieties of protea, different in colour, size and leaf shape. TheGiant or King Protea is the largest of all the proteas. It is found in the southernareas of the Western Cape, from the Cedarberg up to just east of Grahamstownin the Eastern Cape. Proteas are uniquely South African and are loved all over theworld by botanists*, gardeners and florists.

TREE

Yellowwood trees are precious*hardwood trees that have been part of the South African landscape for morethan a hundred million years. These trees are found from Table Mountain, along the southern and

eastern Cape coast, in the ravines of the Drakensberg, up to the Soutpansberg

AND THE "LOUBErg in Limpopo province. Yellowwood trees can grow up to forty metres high. They are slow growing, and this makes their honey-coloured wood strong, heavy and difficult to warp*. In the past, this

wood was sought-after* for making furniture, but now these trees are rare* and may not be cut down.

KING PROTEA

http://www.arkive.org/blue-crane/anthropoides-paradiseus/videos.html

REAL YELLOW WOODhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Auf28N9hK8A

You Tube Videos about the …

Besides our Beautiful National Anthem we love to sing this song together at events…

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qdi-L9fAtEI&feature=player_embedded

Shosholoza, shosholoza (Moving fast, moving strong)Ku lezontaba (Through those mountains)

Stimela sphuma eSouth Africa (Train from South Africa)Wenu yabaleka (You are leaving)Wenu yabaleka (You are leaving)

Ku lezontaba (Through those mountains)Stimela siphum' eSouth Africa (Train from South Africa)

Listen to the song being sung by LadySmith BlackMombasa – a famous south Arican band.

Coat of Arms

The rising sun is a symbol of rebirth and the source of life, light and the wholeness of humanity.

The protea is an emblem of the beauty of our land and the flowering of our nation.

The tusks of the elpant symbolise wisdon, strengty, oderation and eternity.

The human figures are a testament to our common humanity and heritage. They are greeting each other, symbolising unity.

The secretary bird, symbolising protection of the nation, is a messenger of the heaverns that brings grace to the earth.

The spear and knobkierie symbolise defence and authority. They are lying down to depict peace. .

The shield shows both identity and spiritual defence.

The ears of wheat are an emblem of fertility that symbolise growth and the development of our potential.

• www.education.gov.za/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=p6VZ6IkiOn8%3d&tabid=93&mid=1129