University and Technikon Arms

A small selection of university and technikon arms. Most of the technikons were incorporated into universities in 2004-05, and the few that remain are now called "universities of technology".

Universities
Until 2004, there were twenty-one universities. There are now sixteen. Most of the pre-2004 institutions have retained their arms, but the new universities have all opted for logos (though, interesting, some of them include half-shields).

The arms of the former Randse Afrikaanse Universiteit (Rand Afrikaans University) featured a stylised emblem which the university had adopted at its inception in 1967: Vert, a flint within two fire-steels voided saltirewise Argent (BoH 1971 and 1988). The original version of the arms (1971-88) also had an open book in chief.

The University of Cape Town's arms are the oldest, having been designed in 1859 for UCT's predecessor, the SA College, which adopted them in 1888: Per fess wavy Sable and Azure, an anchor ensigned by a mural crown Or and surmounted by an open book Argent inscribed spes bona Sable, in chief a burning lamp Argent (1888, CoA 1919, BoH 1992). The design represents the college (book and lamp) in Cape Town (anchor and mural crown) where Africa (black) meets the sea (blue).

The arms of the former University of Durban-Westville emphasise the Indian community which it served: Argent, a lotus flower Azure, on a chief wavy Gules an open book Argent bound and clasped Or and bearing the inscription in Sanskrit satyameva jayate (BoH 1964).

The University of the [Orange] Free State's arms combine elements from the then provincial arms with a symbol of learning, and the national colours: Per fess Argent and Azure, a fess wavy Orange between in chief three hunting horns Azure garnished and stringed Gules and in base an open book Argent edged Or (DoI 1951).

The arms of the University of South Africa, originally the University of the Cape of Good Hope, were granted by King Edward VII: Or, an anchor fesswise surmounted by an open book proper, in base a wall masoned embattled, also proper, charged with an annulet Or; on a chief Gules a rose argent barbed Vert and seeded Or between two annulets also Or (RL 1903, CoA 1904, DoI 1955, BoH 1983 and 1986). Until 1986, the rose was en soleil in honour of the Duke of York (later King George V) who was the chancellor in 1903, and the book was inscribed spes in arduis. In 2005, UNISA replaced these colonial-era arms with an Africanist emblem.

Technikons
Until 2004, there were fifteen technikons, i.e. tertiary technical colleges, most of which were armigerous. Most have been incorporated into universities, and those that remain are now called "universities of technology".

The former Eastern Cape Technikon (originally the Transkei Technikon)'s arms followed the pattern introduced in 1985: Per fess nowy of a trimount to base Argent and Gules, in chief an aloe Vert with flowers Gules (BoH 1992).

The Natal Technikon arms, adopted when the institution was the Natal Technical College, were based on those of 19th-century governor Sir Benjamin D'Urban: Argent, on a chevron between in chief two pairs of hammers in saltire and in base an antique lamp Azure the lamp, enflamed Or, two ladders Argent and a grenade Or; on a chief Azure an open book Argent garnished Or (1912, DoI 1938, BoH 1983).

The Technikon SA, which was a correspondence institution, also bore arms of the 1985 pattern: Per fess enhanced nowy of a trimount to base Argent and Azure, in chief an annulet fracted per bend Azure and Vert, the Azure barbed to base and the Vert to chief (BoH 1986 and 1994). Until 1994, the arrows were Gules and Azure.

References/Sources/Links

South African Heraldry Website © Arthur Radburn