National Symbols and Nation-Building in the Post-Apartheid South Africa

This article investigates issues of nation-building, national symbols and awareness of distinctive group membership in post-apartheid South Africa. Symbols such as the Rainbow Nation, the new national flag and the national anthem were hailed as representative of optimism that the new political system would bring reconciliation and unity in the diverse South African society. The results of a survey in October/November 1998 involving a random sample of 2182 respondents are discussed. Keywords: State Symbols, Political Transformation, Survey, Academic Article, Request Copyright.