Cities and Towns: Pre-2000

Most of the pre-2000 local authorities were city and town councils which, by the nature of South African society at that time, were White-run. Their heraldry was thus European-style, with a strong English influence.

Designs were inspired by many sources, such as the arms of founder or namesakes; local landscape, landmarks and monuments; and symbols of agriculture, commerce, or industry (especially mining). Some were canting. Many arms had crests. A good number had supporters too, but there was no hard and fast rule about this, and some small country towns had them while some large cities didn't. Most of the pre-2000 arms are now obsolete.

A selection:

The gold-mining town of Benoni used pseudo-arms depicting a mine headgear, a hand holding a hammer, a plough, and a discus-thrower. They were replaced in 1938 by proper arms: Or, a turreted castle of three storeys Sable, on a chief Sable three escallops Argent, all within a bordure Gules charged with four bezants and four heraldic fountains alternately (CoA 1938, TPA 1966). Now obsolete.

The canting arms of Bloemfontein, which means "flower fountain", were Azure, two cornucopias respectant, the dexter issuing flowers and the sinister issuing water (1882, OFSPA 1966). Now obsolete.

Cape Town's arms were based on the armorial seal granted in 1804, and displayed the anchor of Good Hope and the arms of the city's founder, Jan van Riebeeck: Or, an anchor erect Sable stock proper, therefrom on a ribbon Azure an escutcheon Gules charged with three annulets of the field (1804, 1894, CoA 1899, CPA 1956). No longer used.

The town of Verwoerdburg changed its name to Centurion in the 1990s, and adopted new arms depicting one of its premier tourist attractions: Azure, an ornamental fountain with three basins Or with jets of water issuant Argent, in chief three lozenges in fess Or (BoH 1997). The lozenges were taken from the previous arms, which in turn took them from the arms of the Dutch town of Woerden. Now obsolete.

Natal's major port, Durban quartered the arms of governor Sir Benjamin D'Urban and lieutenant-governor Sir Benjamin Pine: Quarterly, I and IV Azure on a chief Argent a lion rampant Gules [D'Urban]; II and III Sable a chevron Argent between three leopards' faces Or [Pine] (1882, BoH 1980). However, it seems as though the arms attributed to Sir Benjamin D'Urban were not actually his! No longer used.

The Cape port of East London assumed arms in 1892, which were slightly modified in 1959: Ermine, a cross Gules between in the 1st and 4th quarters a garb and in the 2nd and 3rd a fleece Or, on a chief Azure a demi-sun issuant Or, with a mural crown enfiled of two anchors as crest, and two buffalo as supporters (1892, CoA 1959, CPA 1960, BoH 1987). The rising sun denoted East, and the red cross came from the arms of London. No longer used.

In 1884, Grahamstown assumed an inaccurate version of the arms of its founder, Col John Graham of Fintry, quartered with those of Jan van Riebeeck (in the wrong tinctures). They were replaced in 1950 by a better composition based on the same sources: Or, on a pile Gules, three annulets 2 and 1 Or, on a chief Sable three escallops Or (CoA 1950, BoH 1994). Now obsolete.

Johannesburg's first arms represented its gold mines: Vert, a fess between three battery stamps Or (CoA 1907, TPA 1951). They were replaced in 1997 by new arms, which retain the tinctures but allude to the city's African population too: Vert, a fret couped Or the mascle voided Gules between in chief and in base respectively four shield thongs Argent (BoH 1997). The 1997 arms are still in use.

Evidently Kimberley's city fathers were very patriotic, for the diamond- mining city's late 19th-century arms combined the Union Jack and elements from the Cape Colony arms: Azure, a cross and saltire superimposed Gules both fimbriated Argent, in chief three bezants each charged with a fleur de lis Azure, in base three annulets Or, on a lozenge Or superimposed over the fess point a lion rampant Gules (1878?, CPA 1964). No longer used.

Kraaifontein, which means "crow fountain", had canting arms: Argent, a chevron Gules between in chief two heraldic fountains and in base a bunch of grapes slipped and leaved proper, with a crow as crest (CPA 1964). Now obsolete.

The arms of Kroonstad were Or, a tree on an island proper; on a chief Argent fimbriated Azure, a locomotive and tender Sable (1900s?, OFSPA 1967). They were among the few South African arms to depict a locomotive. No longer used.

Midrand's canting arms suggested the town (tower) midway along the Witwatersrand ridge: Per fess enarched Azure and Argent, on a pale counterchanged a tower Or (BoH 1982). Now obsolete.

The Oudtshoorn arms were based on those of the Van Rheede van Oudtshoorn family: Argent, two bars dancetty of three points Sable; on a chief Gules a mural crown Or (CoA 1960, CPA 1961). For some reason, the municipality has changed the tinctures to a red mural crown on a gold chief. These arms are still used.

Although Natal's capital, Pietermaritzburg, was named after two Boer leaders, its arms alluded to the Zulu name for the area, the "place of the elephant": Per fess Azure and Vert, an elephant statant Or tusked Argent (1854, CoA 1961, BoH 1973). No longer used.

Port Elizabeth assumed a slightly modified version of the arms of its founder, Sir Rufane Donkin: Gules, on a chevron Argent between in chief two cinquefoils Or and in base a bugle horn Or stringed Sable, three buckles Azure; on a chief embattled Argent an elephant statant proper between two anchors Sable (1878, CoA 1958, CPA 1959, BoH 1986). The anchors were added in 1958 to symbolise the seaport. No longer used.

The arms of Pretoria were Gules, on a mimosa tree eradicated proper, within an orle of eight bees volant Or, an inescutcheon Or and thereon a Roman praetor seated proper (CoA 1907, TPA 1953, BoH 1989). The mimosa tree symbolised slow growth, resistance and vitality, the bees symbolised industry, and the praetor (judge) alluded to the city's name. No longer used.

Those of Stellenbosch were based on those of 17th-century Cape governor Simon van der Stel: Or, on a fess between three towers Gules, a peacock in his pride Argent between two annulets of the field (CoA 1952, BoH 1979). No longer used.

Van Rhynsdorp's arms suggested rural tranquillity and the local wild flowers which are an annual tourist attraction: Per chevron Gules and Vert, a chevron Argent between three flowers Or seeded slipped and leaved Argent (BoH 1988). Now obsolete.

References/Sources/Links

South African Heraldry Website © Arthur Radburn