South African district arms
Posted: 08 Sep 2016, 18:46
Since the late 1980s, South Africa has been divided into local government districts, each containing a number of municipalities. The authorities which administer these districts were originally (1987-96) called "regional services councils". They became "district councils" in 1996, and "district municipalities" in 2001.
Many of them have or had coats of arms. The Bureau of Heraldry devised a standard format for RSC arms, comprising a shield ensigned of a triple-towered metal mural crown and supported by two birds. The distinctive mural crown was discontinued after 2001, and arms designed since then have been ensigned of a variety of crowns (or, in some cases, none at all).
Here's a selection of RSC / DC / DM arms.
From the 1980s
Western Cape RSC (Cape Town) : Per fess nowy Argent and Gules, in base a bunch of grapes slipped Argent leaved Or; a chief nowy of a gable Azure. The supporters are Cape gannets. Registered in 1988, but short-lived as the RSC was dissolved in 1996.
Central Karoo RSC : Argent, a pile trefly inverted Gules between two piles Sable. The birds are secretary birds. Registered in 1990.
Kalahari RSC : Per chevron the peak ensigned with the chemical symbol for iron issuant Azure and Or, in base a bow and arrow cross Azure. The birds are kori bustards. Registered in 1990.
From the 1990s
Stellaland RSC : Per pale Vert and Sable, a five-pointed star Or, in base a starlet Argent. The supporters are black korhaan. Stellaland ("star land") was named after a comet in 1882 and was briefly a republic (1883-85). Registered in 1991.
Overberg RSC : Per chevron coupled enhanced Azure and Vert, surmounting the partition line a chevron coupled, the peaks embattled Argent, partially surmounting the chevron coupled a broad pile inverted Or charged with an anchor erect Sable. The birds are capped wheatears. The compartment is decorated with fynbos. 'Overberg' means "over the mountain". Registered in 1992.
... more to follow ...
Many of them have or had coats of arms. The Bureau of Heraldry devised a standard format for RSC arms, comprising a shield ensigned of a triple-towered metal mural crown and supported by two birds. The distinctive mural crown was discontinued after 2001, and arms designed since then have been ensigned of a variety of crowns (or, in some cases, none at all).
Here's a selection of RSC / DC / DM arms.
From the 1980s
Western Cape RSC (Cape Town) : Per fess nowy Argent and Gules, in base a bunch of grapes slipped Argent leaved Or; a chief nowy of a gable Azure. The supporters are Cape gannets. Registered in 1988, but short-lived as the RSC was dissolved in 1996.
Central Karoo RSC : Argent, a pile trefly inverted Gules between two piles Sable. The birds are secretary birds. Registered in 1990.
Kalahari RSC : Per chevron the peak ensigned with the chemical symbol for iron issuant Azure and Or, in base a bow and arrow cross Azure. The birds are kori bustards. Registered in 1990.
From the 1990s
Stellaland RSC : Per pale Vert and Sable, a five-pointed star Or, in base a starlet Argent. The supporters are black korhaan. Stellaland ("star land") was named after a comet in 1882 and was briefly a republic (1883-85). Registered in 1991.
Overberg RSC : Per chevron coupled enhanced Azure and Vert, surmounting the partition line a chevron coupled, the peaks embattled Argent, partially surmounting the chevron coupled a broad pile inverted Or charged with an anchor erect Sable. The birds are capped wheatears. The compartment is decorated with fynbos. 'Overberg' means "over the mountain". Registered in 1992.
... more to follow ...