Western Cape Province, 1998
The Western Cape Province received its coat of arms, designed by Fred Brownell, on 4 December 1998. The shield is white and blue; an anchor represents hope, stability, faith and the province’s maritime history, and a bunch of grapes symbolise the importance of agriculture and wine production in the Western Cape. A clay pot signifies manufacturing and is an artefact of the Khoi (Khoe), the early inhabitants of the Cape. The crest has a golden coronet embellished with beadwork of the Khoi people, Protea flowers and ringlets. Supporting the shield are a Quagga and a Bontebok, both indigenous to the province. They stand on a blue base, representative of Table Mountain. The motto “SPES BONA” - Latin for ‘Good Hope’ - is encased in ostrich feathers: those represent the Little Karoo.