The Parliament of South Africa unveiled a new emblem yesterday. Via IOL:

In the symbolic form of a protea and drum topped by the sun, the new emblem centres around four key elements - the constitution, parliament, the people, and South Africa.

Very nice, although the outer people/protea leaves are a little strange-looking. I especially like that the style is consistent with our National Coat of Arms.

In the spirit of participatory democracy, parliament called on South Africans [article dates back to 2000, here's another dated last year] to submit a design for a new emblem embodying parliament's vision, mission and values.

Twenty entrants were chosen to represent all South Africans at a design workshop, during which the new emblem was designed.

More via IOL:

Parliament's secretary, Zingile Dingani, said the entire process of designing and rebranding, including new stationery, had cost R9-million - R7-million less than originally budgeted.

Read more about the new emblem over at the long overdue new-look Parliament website.

And more here:

• Last apartheid-era national symbol changed (IOL)
• Switch to roll out new Parliament emblem (BizCommunity)
• Local designers honoured in Parliament (BizCommunity)
• Joburg pair helps design state emblem (joburg.org.za)
• Local Artists Honoured in Parliament (capetown.gov.za)

UPDATE: IOL are running a poll, asking "What do you think of parliament's new emblem?". Currently, 62% of the participants have voted "Why did they change it?". Clearly none of them were familiar with the old emblem (which dates back to 1910 and still represents the old four provinces) and feel this is just another waste of money and resources.