A New Emblem for Parliament

The New Emblem for South Africa's National Parliament
Parliament of South Africa will officially install its new emblem today during a joint sitting of the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces at Parliament in Cape Town on the 27th March 2007 at noon.

The new emblem will be unveiled at this historic event in the presence of the Head of State, President Thabo Mbeki.

The launch of the new emblem is the first step in communicating the new positioning of Parliament to the public.

In the true spirit of participatory democracy, Parliament called on all South Africans to submit a design for a new emblem, an emblem that embodies Parliament’s vision, mission and values.

Twenty entrants from across South Africa were chosen to attend a design workshop in Cape Town. Their designs were further refined by the Bureau of Heraldry to ensure heraldic and design specifications were adhered to. A political Steering committee and a panel of experts guided the process internally.

"We would like to thank the thousands of South Africans who participated and contributed to creating a new emblem for Parliament. And we are extremely pleased and proud of the work that the final twenty artists produced. When we (the Presiding Officers and Political Steering Committee) met with them at the Design Workshop, we knew that we were dealing with a group of very special South Africans, who not only took pride in their craft but also in their country." said Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde.

Parliamen's new emblem centers around four key elements:

1. Our Constitution
2. Our Parliament
3. Our People
4. Our South Africa

The symbolism embodied in each of these elements communicates the vision, mission and values of Parliament.

Our Constitution lays the foundation for a democratic and open society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights. It is the supreme law of our country, and ensures government by the people under the Constitution.

A people’s Parliament of freely elected representatives that builds on the foundation of a democratic and open society. Parliament acts as a voice of the people, providing a national forum for public consideration of issues.

The drum calls the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces to consider national and provincial issues, ensuring government by the people under the Constitution.

The sun represents healing the divisions of the past, improving the quality of life of all South Africans, freeing the potential of each person and building a united and democratic South Africa to take its rightful place as a sovereign state in the family of nations.

An evening gala event will serve to commemorate this historic event and honour the creative collaboration of all who participated.

Photographs and footage of the process and creation of the new emblem are available on request. Should you wish to set up interviews with the designers, or a spokesperson from Parliament, please contact:

Candice Jansen
Tel: 021 422 5430
Mobile: 076 958 9593
Email: candice@cowafrica.com