Rainbow Country-Platinum Lab - Geography Lesson 1

TIP FOR TEACHERSWith the younger learners I tend not do read the info on these slides but rather just ‘chat’ through it to help them with grasping the very basics.So if you do decide to use this it might be a good idea to just scan through the powerpoint in order for you to be able to just talk them through it. The tutorial ends at the coat of arms and the rest is extras (nice videos) for use at your discression.Download this great PDF document www.education.gov.za/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=p6VZ6IkiOn8%3d&tabid=93&mid=1129

South Africa

Nkosazana Roxi KleinhausBasic Facts for Gr 1 – Gr 3 learners

Rainbow Nation

This is Who We Are…The Republic of South Africa, as the name already indicates, is located in the very south of the African continent.

It is bordered by the Indian Ocean

in the east and the Atlantic Ocean in the

west.

Learning about our National Identity

• Do you know what National Symbols are? • National symbols are things/objects that

make us (and other people) think about our country and who we are.

• When you see the following image what does it make you think of?

• Name at least 3-5 things.

National Symbols

Our National Flag is the most commonly used visual symbol of South Africa. No matter where you are in the world, if you see this Flag, you will know that either a South African or a friend of South Africa is near.Our new National Flag Our new National Flag was hoisted* for the first time at one minute past midnighton the morning of 27 April 1994. All across South Africa, and throughout the world, people who saw this new Flag blowing in the wind for the first time, stood still for a moment and knew that democratic change had finally come to South Africa.

There are specific rules about how the flag should be raised. There are also rules like… * the flag should not touch the ground * it should not be used as a table cloth * it must not be used to start or end off any kind of competition and more…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhUMsqei7kM&feature=player_embedded

They saw a flag that was fresh, confident*and joyful with colour. There were no pictures or references to flags of the past in the design. There was nothing in the design that could favour one group over another. The only symbol that came across clearly was the message of unity.Unity in the design of the National Flag The South African National Flag is made up of strong, bold lines of colour. The central design begins as a ‘V’ at the flag post, comes together in the centre, and extends as a horizontal band to the edge. This simple ‘two into one’ design reinforces the motto in the Coat of Arms – !ke e: /xarra //ke – meaning ‘diverse people unite’.

• Can you name more of our National Symbols?

• Because we are proud of our country we like to get to know more about or symbols.

• We ask question like…–Why did we decide on that symbol?–What is the meaning we ascribe/assign to

the symbol?–Was that always the symbol or was it

changed – in other words what is the history of the symbol?

– If it was changed – why did it change?–What values can we learn from this symbol?

Our

National Symbols describe/explain

to us (and other people) what our values are…who we are as a nation

our IDENTITY AS SOUTH AFRICANS

A long time ago, people from many different countries like

India, the Netherlands and Germany came to South Africa.

This is one of the reasons why today people like to call South Africa the “Rainbow

Nation”: it’s a mixture of many different cultures,

religions and languages. Imagine:

11 official languages are spoken in South Africa! However, the largest part of South

Africa’s population is of African origin. There are 50 million people living in South

Africa.

A Rainbow Nation

Nelson Mandela once said “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion.

People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than

its opposite.”

Archbishop Desmond Tutu – a well known South African – started to speak about or country as the "Rainbow Nation", referring to the possibility of

interracial harmony in South Africa. Then or beloved President Nelson Mandela

started to use the term "Rainbow Nation" too and now we are known as such all over the world.

There are 30 plus ethnic groups in South Africa with the Zulu being the largest group.There are 11 official languages in South Africa.

Coat of Arms

The rising sun is a symbol of rebirth and the source of life, light and the wholeness of humanity.

The protea is an emblem of the beauty of our land and the flowering of our nation.

The tusks of the elphant symbolise wisdom, strength, moderation and eternity.

The human figures are a testament to our common humanity and heritage. They are greeting each other, symbolising unity.

The secretary bird, symbolising protection of the nation, is a messenger of the heavens that brings grace to the earth.

The spear and knobkierie symbolise defence and authority. They are lying down to depict peace. .

The shield shows both identity and spiritual defence.

The ears of wheat are an emblem of fertility that symbolise growth and the development of our potential.

SPRINGBOK http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=FZyjiEhtBLU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ba3UxqXiXU&feature=player_detailpagehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHjIYn0lBRM&feature=player_detailpage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ANGD5cE2WoQ

BLUE CRANEhttp://www.arkive.org/blue-crane/anthropoides-paradiseus/videos.html

GALJOENhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Auf28N9hK8A

KING PROTEA

http://www.arkive.org/blue-crane/anthropoides-paradiseus/videos.html

REAL YELLOW WOODhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Auf28N9hK8A

• www.education.gov.za/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=p6VZ6IkiOn8%3d&tabid=93&mid=1129

Besides our Beautiful National Anthem we love to sing this song together at events…

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qdi-L9fAtEI&feature=player_embedded

Shosholoza, shosholoza (Moving fast, moving strong)Ku lezontaba (Through those mountains)

Stimela sphuma eSouth Africa (Train from South Africa)Wenu yabaleka (You are leaving)Wenu yabaleka (You are leaving)

Ku lezontaba (Through those mountains)Stimela siphum' eSouth Africa (Train from South Africa)

Listen to the song being sung by LadySmith BlackMombasa – a famous south Arican band.

South Africa is not only known for its diversity of cultures, it is also home to hundreds of different types of mammals, birds and reptiles,

such as zebras, elephants, crocodiles and even penguins. We are especially known for the Big Five.

Arrogance – proud to a faultHomophobia – hatred of gays andlesbiansPrejudice – to unfairly pre-judgePride – a healthy respect for oneselfand othersRacism – to judge people not for whothey are, but because of the colour oftheir skinSexism – to judge women negativelyon the basis of their sexXenophobia – hatred of foreigners

I owe my being to the hills and the valleys, the mountains andthe glades*, the rivers, the deserts, the trees, the flowers,the seas and the ever-changing seasons that define theface of our native land...

Discrimination - unfair treatment of aperson or group because of their race,nationality, language, age, sex, looks,handicap, etc.Dispossession – deprived of landEnshrine – protect from changeFreely elected representatives – thefew people who were voted for by themany to be their ‘voice’ in parliamentIgnominious – humiliating andshamefulJustice – just or fair treatmentMeted – forced ontoReconciliation – when people whohave been fighting agree to worktogetherTransition – when something is busychanging from one state to anotherUnquenchable – a thirst that cannotbe satisfied

Aspiration – ambitionChauvinism – war-like belief that yourgroup is better than anotherCollective – of a group, as oneCompel – forceDepict – show in a painting or drawingDerive – get fromImpulse – deep wish or desireInclusive – not leaving anything oranybody outInherit – receive from ancestorsInscribe – written onto or engraved intoInterdependent – need and relying onone anotherObligation – moral dutyPerish – diePledge – very serious promisePreservation – kept safe and in goodconditionSolidarity – united and supportive ofeach otherTransform – change from one thing toanother