2006/2007 South Africa Yearbook: 5
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5 Arts and culture The Department of Arts and Culture seeks to The words of the first stanza were originally preserve and develop South Africa’s richly diverse written in isiXhosa as a hymn. Seven additional cultural, artistic and linguistic heritage. stanzas in isiXhosa were later added by the poet Samuel Mqhayi. It has been translated into most of Funding South Africa’s official languages. The department’s budget grew at an average annual rate of 22,9% between 2002/03 and National flag 2005/06, mainly due to additional resources South Africa’s national flag was launched and used for capital projects such as the development of for the first time on Freedom Day, 27 April 1994. The Freedom Park, and upgrading and maintenance design and colours are a synopsis of the principal of the Robben Island Museum. Transfers to heritage elements of the country’s flag history. and arts institutions still dominate expenditure. The The central design of the flag, beginning at the 2006 Budget increased the department’s allocation flag-pole in a ‘V’ form and flowing into a single to R84,1 million in 2006/07; R309,2 million in horizontal band to the outer edge of the fly, can be 2007/08; and R687,5 million in 2008/09. interpreted as the convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the road ahead National symbols in unity. The flag was designed by the State Herald. National anthem When the flag is displayed vertically against a South Africa’s national anthem is a combined wall, the red band should be to the left of the viewer, version of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika and The Call of with the hoist or the cord seam at the top. When it is South Africa (Die Stem van Suid-Afrika). The Call of displayed horizontally, the hoist should be to the left South Africa was written by CJ Langenhoven of the viewer and the red band at the top. When the in May 1918. The music was composed by the flag is displayed next to or behind the speaker at a Rev ML de Villiers in 1921. Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika meeting, it must be placed to the speaker’s right. was composed in 1897 by Enoch Sontonga, a When it is placed elsewhere in the meeting place, it Methodist mission schoolteacher. should be to the right of the audience. 103 National coat of arms Those depicted were the very first inhabitants of South Africa’s coat of arms was launched on the land, namely the Khoisan people. These figures Freedom Day, 27 April 2000. are derived from images on the Linton Stone, a A focal point of the coat of arms is the world-famous example of South African rock art. indigenous secretary bird with its uplifted wings, The motto on the coat of arms, !ke e:/xarra//ke, crowned with an image of the rising sun. The sun written in the Khoisan language of the /Xam people, not only symbolises a life-giving force, but means ‘diverse people unite’ or ‘people who are represents the flight of darkness and the triumph of different joining together’. discovery, knowledge and understanding of things that have been hidden. It also illuminates the new National orders life that is coming into being. An indigenous South National orders are the highest awards that the African flower, the protea, is placed below the bird. country can bestow on individual South Africans It represents beauty, the aesthetic harmony of the and eminent foreign leaders and personalities. different cultures, and South Africa flowering as a The Order of Mapungubwe is awarded to South nation. The ears of wheat symbolise the fertility of African citizens for excellence and exceptional the land, while the tusks of the African elephant, achievement. depicted in pairs to represent men and women, The Order of the Baobab is awarded to South also represent wisdom, steadfastness and strength. African citizens for distinguished service in the The shield, placed in the centre, signifies the fields of business and the economy; science, protection of South Africans from one generation to medicine and technological innovation; and the next. The spear and a knobkierie above it are community service. representative of the defence of peace rather than The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo is the pursuit of war. This shield of peace, which also awarded to heads of state and other dignitaries for brings to mind an African drum, conveys the promoting peace, co-operation and friendship message of a people imbued with a love of culture. towards South Africa. Its upper part is a shield imaginatively represented The Order of Luthuli is awarded to South Africans by the protea. who have made a meaningful contribution to the Contained within the shield are some of the struggle for democracy, human rights, nation- earliest representations of humanity in the world. building, justice and peace, and conflict resolution. 104 The Order of Ikhamanga is awarded to South • protected areas African citizens who have excelled in the fields of • structures over 60 years old arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport. • burial grounds and graves The Order of Mendi for Bravery is awarded to South • fossils (palaeontology) and archaeology African citizens who have performed extraordinary • rock art acts of bravery. • historical shipwrecks. National symbols South African Geographical Names Council South Africa’s national symbols are: (SAGNC) • National animal: Springbok The SAGNC is an advisory body appointed by the • National bird: Blue Crane Minister of Arts and Culture in terms of the SAGNC • National fish: Galjoen Act, 1998 (Act 118 of 1998). The council advises • National flower: King Protea the minister on the transformation and • National tree: Real Yellowwood. standardisation of official geographical names in South Africa. Arts and culture organisations The council has jurisdiction over all names of National Heritage Council (NHC) geographical features and entities falling within the The NHC, a statutory body that aims to bring equity territories over which the South African Government to heritage promotion and conservation, was has sovereignty or jurisdiction acquired by treaty. officially constituted on 26 February 2004 in terms The following principles are adhered to: of the NHC Act, 1999 (Act 11 of 1999). The council • each individual feature or entity should have only creates an enabling environment for preserving, one official name protecting and promoting South African heritage. Its • the following types of geographical names should other objectives are to protect, preserve and generally be avoided: promote the content and heritage that reside in – approved names of places elsewhere in South orature to make it accessible and dynamic; to Africa integrate living heritage in the council and all other – names of places in other countries, and names heritage authorities and institutions at national, of countries provincial and local level; to promote and protect – names that are blasphemous, indecent, indigenous knowledge systems; and to intensify offensive, vulgar, unaesthetic or embarrassing support for promoting the history and culture of all – names that are discriminatory or derogatory South Africans. – names that may be regarded as an Transfers to the NHC started at R16,7 million in advertisement for a particular product, service 2004/05; rose to R17,4 million in 2005/06; and are or firm expected to reach R19,6 million in 2007/08. – names of living persons. Geographical names committees have been South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) established in all nine provinces. These committees The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act 25 play an important role in the standardisation of of 1999), established the SAHRA to manage the geographical names. heritage resources of the country in co-operation with similar provincial agencies. National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) The SAHRA has established the National The NAC aims to: Heritage Resources Fund to provide financial • support arts practice by creating and providing assistance, in the form of a grant or a loan, to an opportunities to achieve excellence in the arts, approved body or individual, for any project which within a climate of freedom contributes to the conservation and protection of • achieve equity by redressing imbalances in the South Africa’s national heritage resources. allocation of resources Conservation categories include: • promote and develop appreciation, understanding • national heritage sites, registers, areas and and enjoyment of the arts through strategies that objects include education, information and marketing 105 National symbols and orders The Order of the Baobab The Order of Luthuli The Order of Mendi for Bravery The Order of Mapungubwe The Order of the Companions of The Order of Ikhamanga OR Tambo National bird: Blue Crane National flower: King Protea National fish: Galjoen National tree: Real Yellowwood National animal: Springbok 106 • enhance support for and recognition of the arts Arts institutions by promoting and facilitating national and The following arts institutions assist in creating a international liaison between individuals and sustainable performing arts industry based on institutions access, excellence, diversity and redress, and • establish and recommend policy in the encourage the development of the full range of development, practice and funding of the arts. performing arts: It also offers block bursaries to tertiary institutions • State Theatre, Pretoria for undergraduate students. Individual bursaries • Playhouse Company, Durban are offered for studies towards a postgraduate • ArtsCape, Cape Town qualification in South Africa and abroad. • Market Theatre, Johannesburg In 2005/06, the council allocated grants to about • Performing Arts Centre of the Free State, 800 projects and 57 performing arts companies in Bloemfontein theatre, dance, music, literature, visual arts and craft. • Windybrow Theatre, Johannesburg. The NAC received R62,08 million for its work in The institutions receive annual transfers from the 2006/07. Department of Arts and Culture, but also generate revenue through entrance fees, donor assistance Mmino and sponsorships.