SUID AFRIKA - SOUTH AFRICA
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THUISLANDEN
/ HOMELANDS |
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Independent Homelands These Independent Homelands were known as the
TBVC States. |
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Mthatha Mmabatho Thohoyandou Bhisho |
Declared independent in 1976 Declared independent in 1977 Declared independent in 1979 Declared independent in 1981 |
Cape Province (East) Transvaal Transvaal Cape Province (East) |
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Non-Independent Homelands |
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Giyani Louieville Siyabuswa Ulundi Lebowakgomo Phuthaditjhaba |
Transvaal Transvaal Transvaal Natal Transvaal Orange Freestate |
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An
achievement was granted to the homeland of the people of South Sotho on 8
September 1972. It was: Arms: On a Basotho shield Vert, in chief a
representation of Sentinel Peak, in base dexter a crocodile reversed and
sinister a leopard couchant guardant. Crest: A Basotho hat proper. Supporters: Behind the shield an assegai and battle-axe
in saltire, Or, and two Basotho ponies proper, standing on a blue-green
ground. Motto: kopana
ke matla (Unity is Strength). The
crocodile and the leopard are, respectively, the sign of recognition of the
two independent tribes, the Bakoena and the Batloka, and symbolize the
co-operation between the chiefs and the people. The hat is part of the
traditional dress, symbolizing the protection of the two tribes so that unity
may abide with authority. The ponies symbolize the firm progress on the road
to development of the country. The hat and the ponies are taken from the
achievement of Lesotho. [1] |
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Bophutatswana
was granted independence on 6 December 1977. The homeland was abolished on 1
January 1994. An
achievement was adopted on 8 September
1972: Arms: A Tswana shield per fess at nombril point
Gules and Vert, in chief a mine headgear, in base three ears of wheat dexter,
sinister an oxhead caboshed in bend sinister, the shield interlaced palewise
of a traditional plumed staff; behind the shield an assegai and a battle-axe
in saltire, Or. Supporters: Two leopards guardant Or standing on a
compartment Vert . Motto: tshwaraganang
lo dire pula e ne (If we Stand Together and Work Hard we shall be
Blessed). The
shield symbolizes the protection of the people by the authorities; the
mineshaft headgear and sorghum, the livelihood of the people in industry and
agriculture; the oxhead their cattle breeding. The spear and battleaxe
represent the authority of the chieftainship, as do the two leopard
supporters - traditionally with the Tswana people, only the chief may wear a
leopard skin. [2] |
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An Achievement
for the Homeland of Ciskei was adopted on 8 September 1972. The homeland was
abolished on 1 January 1994. Arms: A Bantu shield per saltire Or and Gules, in
chief a bull’s head caboshed proper, in base a tree on an island Vert; behind
the shield an assegai and knobkerrie in saltire Sabel. Crest: Four ivory rings conjoined, standing thereon
a blue crane holding in his beak a sprig with nine leaves proper. Supporters:
Two leopards guardant proper standing on a compartment Vert. Motto: siyakunqandwa
ziinkwenkwezi (We will be Stopped by the Stars). The ox
occupies an important place in the life of the people and symbolizes the
development in all fields of society. It is the symbol of the Prophet
Ntsikane. The milkwood tree, which grows in the Peddie district, symbolizes
the people’s will to believe and accept the rule of God and the authority
without which a people cannot create a prosperous future. It is particularly
important for the Fingo, one of the four tribes of Ciskei. The knobkerrie is
the authority which rests with the chiefs. [3] |
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An Achievement
was granted to the homeland of Gazankulu, which means “Lake Gazan”, on 8
september 1972. It was: Arms: An oval shield per fess wavy, in chief
Azure, two spoons in saltire, handles upwards and joined by an embowed chain
Or, in base per pale Argent and Sable, dexter two cogwheelds conjoined in
pale Sable, sinister a flame Or; over all ten pairs of spear thong apertures
in pale Argent. Crest: On a wreath Argent and Sable a lion passant
guardant Gules, holding in the dexter forepaw a horn erect Or. Supporters: Dexter a buffalo (Syncerus caffer - Bovidć) and sinister a sable antelope (Hippotragus niger - Bovidć) proper,
standing on a compartment Vert, semy of succulents proper (alias a yellow
steppe-ground with green bunches of grass). Motto: mintirho
ya vulavula. (Deeds
Count). The
spoons and chain links, carved out of a log, symbolize the peace and
hospitality of the Gazankulu people. The geared wheels represent industrial
thought. The lion on the wreath is the symbol of power and rule by the chief
and the tribal body. He holds the horn
called Mhalamhala with which is the
parliament is convened. [4] Together
with all other homelands Gazankulu was abolished on 1 January 1994. |
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Kwandebele
was granted its independence on the 11th of December 1986. On the 1st of
January 1994 the Homeland was abolished. The Achievement
was circular: Arms: Or, an unfinished wall and a mealie cob per
pale proper Crest: ? Supporters: A battle axe, a mace and a spear in saltire
and a springbok on the dexter and a wildebeest on the sinister standing on a
compartment Vert. Motto: kuvuswa
ezivusako (He who helps himself will be helped). In the
early 19th c., the Boers embarked on a long march (the “Grote Trek”), in
quest of new lands. They arrived in the Transkei and annihilated the famous
King Mzilikazi’s Ndebele army. Some of his people crossed the Limpopo River
and took refuge in the ancient kingdom of Monomotapa (Zimbabwe) where
eighty percent of the Ndebele live today. The others set up kraals in an area
near Pretoria, which became Kwandebele, a Bantustan, in 1981. |
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Kwazulu
is the homeland of the Zulu and here the Inkatha-movement has its origins. An
achievement was granted to the homeland on 8 September 1972. It was: Arms: A Zulu shield Argent charged with a Zulu
Royal Sceptre erect proper, between nine pairs of spear thongs in pale and in
base pied an oval Sable. Crest: A headring Sable, thereon an elephant’s head
caboshed proper. Supporters: Dexter a leopard clasping in his sinister
claw a spear erect and sinister a lion clasping in his dexter claw a spear erect
proper, standing on a compartment Vert. Motto: sonqoba
simunye (Together we shall Surmount). The white
cow-hide shield with the single black spot, is the traditional shield of the
Royal Regiment and symbolizes the security of the nation. The short spear in
the centre of the shield is the Royal Sceptre and symbolizes Zulu Royalty.
The black ring at the top of the shield is the traditional headring worn by
men of senior rank and symbolizes maturity. The elephant’s head symbolizes
strength and courage. The protection of the people lies in the traditional
spears of King Chaka held by the leopard and the lion. [5] In the
early 19th c. Shaka was the chief of a small Zulu clan of little significance
among the other Bantu peoples. Convinced that the survival of the Zulu people
depended on the subjugation of other clans, Shaka put the Natal region to the
torch and wreaked bloody havoc. Between 1815 and 1828, he annihilated every
ethnic group that opposed him. This period of turmoil, known as the Mfecane
(great upheaval, terror), was accompanied by famine and the exodus of a large
proportion of the Bantu peoples. Shaka’s halfbrothers assasinated him in
September 1828, but the Mfecane that he had unleashed continued until
about 1835. |
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Kings of the Zulu [6] |
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The achievement
of the Royal House of Zululand is: Arms: Argent, the sceptre of the King of Kwazulu
per pale, between four huts. In base over the sceptre a representation of the
Royal Hut, proper. In chief and in base two pairs of spear thongs Sable. Supporters: Two lions Or, langued and unguled Sable and
behind the shield two clubs, two spears and a mace in saltire, standing on a
compartment Sable. Motto: ilembe leqa amanye
ngoku khalipha (Together we shall surmount).[7] |
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Kings |
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Senzanakona |
1781-1816 |
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Sigujana |
1816 |
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Shaka |
1816-1828 |
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Dingane |
1828-1840 |
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Mpande |
1840-1872 |
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Cetshwayo |
1872-1884 |
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Dinuzulu |
1884-1887 |
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British annexation of Zululand Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu (*1948)
Paramount chief 1968. 8th king
Flag of King Goodwill
Zwelithini |
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The achievement
granted to the Lebowa Legislative Council was published in the Government
Gazette n° 1110 of 23 June 1972. It was: Arms: Quarterly: 1 & 4: Azure, gutty d’eau a
chief nebuly Argent; 2: Or, an oxhead caboshed proper; 3: Or, a mealiehead
leaved erect proper. Crest: On a wreath Argent and Azure, a flame proper. Supporters: Two leopards proper standing on a mount Vert
between two flowered aloe plants, the sinister in autumn shades, proper. Motto: mphiri
o tee ga o lle (A single bangle cannot produce a sound). The ox’s
head and mealie cob represent their economic importance to the people. The
flame symbolizes the spiritual power of the national culture. Aloes are a
sign of the flora of the country. [8] No higher
resolution available |
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The
achievement granted tot the homeland of Ka Ngwane is: Arms: Quarterly Or and Gules, in the first three
primitive coins proper, in the second
a bull’s head Or, in the third a torch Or and in the fourth the ears of
sorghum proper Crest: A mace Argent supported by two lions rampant
Gules. Supporters: Behind the shield a club and a spear in
saltire and two elephants proper standing on a compartment Vert charged with
a sun issuant radiant Or. Motto: siyinyandza
(We are a bundle of wood bound together). The shield of the Achievement granted to the homeland of Swazi is a
traditional Swazi one. In the first quarter are three pimitive coins
indicating the connection of the country with the outside world and the
financial stability which is its aim. The ox head (described as a cow’s head)
points to the importance of cattle breeding in the country’s economy. It is
also a symbol of the important place cattle occupies in the country’s
culture. The torch symbolizes the spiritual
power of the combined cultures of the various tribes; it is also a symbol of
light and progress. The mabčle
(soghum) is an important source of food and at the same time symbolizes the
agriculture on which the future of the country depends. The two lions in the crest are a
symbol of the highest authority in the land and the heraldic wreath has been
given a special meaning by comparing it with the head ring of the chiefs. The two elephants supporting the
arms of Swazi are an emblem of the power of the people to protect that what
is their own against the attacks from inside and outside the country. The
ground on which the supporters stand symbolizes the fertility of the Swazi
earth, and the rising sun announces the new day which has dawned for the
country and the people. [9] |
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Transkei, the land of the Xhosa, was the
first independent Homeland. The Declaration of Independence was signed 26
October 1976. An achievement was adopted 15 January 1971. Arms:
Parted per chevron dovetailed Argent, in chief Chocolate dexter a mealiehead
and sinister a cogwheel both Argent; in base Vert a bull’s head caboshed
Argent. Crest: On
a wreath of the colours a wicker basket between two aloes all proper. Supporters:
Two natural leopards rampant standing on a grassy ground proper . Motto: imbumba yamanyama (Unity is
Strenght). The bull’s head symbolizes the important role
of cattle farming in the economy. It also takes a prominent place in the
traditional ritual and religious life.[10]) Also: Transkei
No higher resolution available |
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Venda is the Homeland of the Vhavenda. Before
its independence a Achievement for the Venda Legislative Assembly was adopted
on 8 September 1972. It was:
Arms: Vert, an elephant statant within a bordure
Or. Crest: On a wreath of the colours a traditional
drum proper. Motto: shumela
venda (Always Aspire for Vendaland) [11]) When independence was granted on 13 September
1979 two elephants respecting proper placed on an island Vert were added as supporters.
The achievement may be blazoned: Arms: Vert, an elephant's head caboshed or, tusked
Argent, the whole within a bordure or. Crest: A Venda tribal drum proper. Supporters: Two elephants proper. Motto: SHUMELA VENDA. đ See illustration in the
beginning of this section |
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Since the earliest times the shield was used
as protection against attacks. In this case it means that the authority
safeguards the people. The
forward pressing head of the elephant is a symbol of the will and
determina-tion of the people not to be stopped in their attempt to venture
into the future in pursuance of their set ideals. It recalls King Thohoyandou
who founded a powerful state in the XVIIIth century. His name means: Head of
an Elephant The
head ring symbolizes the authority and power of the chief. The drum, known as
Ngoma, symbolizes the unity of the
people; it is used by the chief when summoning the people of his tribe when
an important message has to be conveyed. The
two elephants watching over the coat of arms are a symbol of the power and
stability exercised by the ruling authority. [12] Also: Venda
Geocities |
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© Hubert de Vries 2009.03.04. Updated
2020-02-03
Heraldry of the World
