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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

Country: South Africa
Campus/location : Pretoria, Gauteng

Official blazon

(af)

Wapen: In goud, 'n anker met kabel dwarsbalksgewys geplaas en daaroorheen 'n oop boek waarop die woorde SPES IN ARDUIS, alles van natuurlike kleur; in die skildvoet 'n gekanteelde muur van natuurlike kleur belaai met 'n goue ring: op 'n rooi skildhoof 'n roos van silwer, geknop, gepunt en omgewe deur stralekrans, alles van natuurlike kleur en vergesel van twee goue ringe.
Wapenspreuk: SPES IN ARDUIS

(en)

Arms: Or, a fouled anchor fesswise surmounted by an open book inscribed with the words SPES IN ARDUIS, both proper; in base a wall embattled proper, thereon an annulet Or; on a chief Gules, a rose Argent barbed, seeded and irradiated proper, between two annulets Or.
Motto: SPES IN ARDUIS

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on March 2, 1904 to the University of the Cape of Good Hope by the British College of Arms, transferred to the University of South Africa and registered in South Africa on March 23, 1983.

The white rose in chief represents Prince George, Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V), who became chancellor of the university in 1901.

Van Riebeeck’s annulets also appear in the device, as well as an anchor symbolising the Cape Colony. The embattled and masoned base represents the Castle of Good Hope.