Pietermaritzburg
Revision as of 16:51, 23 May 2012 by Knorrepoes (talk | contribs)
 |
Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of South Africa |
|
PIETERMARITZBURG
Province : KwaZulu-Natal
District Municipality : Umgungundlovu
Local Municipality : Msunduzi
Origin/meaning
The motto, "Umgungunhlovu" means 'the place of the elephant'. The original kraal of Dingane, king of the Zulus was near Pietermaritzburg and had the same name. The arms can thus be considered canting. The town itself is named after Piet Retief and Gerrit Maritz, Boer leaders in the 19th century.
The two shields on the supporters are the Union Jack for Great Britain, and the flag of the former Rpublic of Natalia, which existed for a short while in the 19th century. The supporters are two wildebeest, the symbol of the (former) province of Natal.
The arms replaced former non-official arms which only showed an elephant.
 The arms on a tobacco card +/- 1930 |