Parliament is calling on all South Africans to get artistic and take part in designing its new emblem.
According to the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde, Parliament belongs to the people, hence the need to involve all South Africans to partake in designing its new identity.
The current emblem dates from 1910 and represents the Westminster tradition, according to which South Africa adopted the design for the coat of arms from Britain. It includes the old South African coat of arms and the four colonies. ”We are very excited that this process will, for the first time after 12 years, change the positioning and the image of Parliament,” she said.
Parliament’s joint rules committee agreed that the new designs should reflect the following criteria: Africa, South Africa’s multicultural society, a break with the past and a new beginning, unity of South African people, the stature and dignity of the institution, historical continuity and democracy.
The design should be attractive, distinctly African, dignified, heraldic, meaningful and simple. It should also take into account the changed national coat of arms.
According to a fact sheet released by Parliament, participants should keep in mind the following philosophies when designing the emblem:
- Parliament is a people’s Parliament and acts as a voice ensuring government by the people under the Constitution;
- it is where elected representatives assemble to consider national and provincial issues that affect South Africans;
- it is responsive to the people’s needs and is driven by the ideals of improving the quality of life for South Africans; and
- it upholds the values of democracy, social justice and fundamental human rights.
The closing date for submission of draft designs is September 9 this year. This will be followed by a four-day workshop from October 3 to 6 at Lanzerac Manor and Winery in the Western Cape, to be attended by 20 shortlisted designers. The workshop will consist of lectures, group design sessions and motivational talks delivered by a panel of experts.
Thereafter, five designs will be selected, and a final design will be refined by Parliament’s Bureau of Heraldry, which evaluates applications for the registration or deletion of heraldic representations such as names, special names, uniforms badges and emblems.
Themba Mabaso, director of the Bureau of Heraldry, will also attend the workshop.
The winning design will be presented to Parliament’s joint rules committee for final approval.
For more information, call Tel: 021 403 8184