Essay: The coat of armsThe coat of arms of South Africa officially replaced the previous coat of arms of South Africa which had been in use since 1910. The new coat of arms was introduced to South Africa in 2000 on 27 April (www. wikipedia.org). The new coat of arms represented the beginning of a new and diverse South Africa. It was a way to symbolize our heritage and recognize all cultures. The San people were included in the new coat of arms as they were considered the original inhabitants of southern Africa. The San people were the first inhabitants of South Africa. They had arrived many years before the Bantu-speaking nation. The San people lived a simplistic lifestyle as they were able to support their diet by hunting and gathering edible plants. The San people lived as hunter-gatherers. They were able to maintain a living by hunting various antelopes, fish, and gathering wild plants. (www.sahistory.org.za). The San were able to hunt efficiently by creating their own type of bow and arrow in which the arrow was equipped with a poisoned tip to tranquilize the prey. Using this hunting method the San were able to hunt almost any prey. The San also collected wild plants to support their diet and were known for not settling in one place. The San were nomads. They did not live in permanent shelters but the women, responsible for building the shelters, used the materials they could find around them and built a temporary place to live. Shelters were sometimes built with grass and tall sticks and could be built in less than an hour. The San did not believe in the excessive use of land but instead had the idea that the land belonged to all who inhabited it. The San did not have… half the paper… and its ability to nurture the nation's growth to achieve greatness. Elephant tusks symbolize prominence. This is an emblem that represents everything needed to build a successful nation. Wisdom is needed to make good judgment and lead the country on the right path. Moderation and perpetuity are necessary to sustain the well-being of the country. The secretary bird is shown as robust and attentive. He is watching over the country. King Protea petals are used to showcase the beauty of African craftsmanship. Rising above the horizon represents the rise of a new democratic nation. This coat of arms was designed to unite us as a nation and to make us proud of our heritage. All symbols are significant in commemorating different aspects of our cultures and ensuring that we are proud to live in a free and democratic South Africa.