Free State Republic. The wagon in the fourth quarter represented the Transvaal. The supporters are taken from the arms of the Orange River Colony and the Cape Colony. The lion holds four rods, bound together, symbolising the unification of the four former colonies. The motto, was officially translated as "Union is Strength" until 1961, and thereafter as "Unity is Strength". Evolution Three official renditions of the arms were used. The original rendition (1910) was the only version used until 1930, and it continued to be used as the rank badge of warrant officers in the South African Defence Force and South African National Defence Force until 2002. The second version, painted in 1930 and known as the "ordinary coat of arms", and the third version, painted in 1932 and known as the "embellished coat of arms", were both used until 2000. The former was also used on the insignia of the South African Police until the 1990s. Provincial arms 1910-1994 Between 1910 and 1994, South Africa was divided into four provinces, Cape Province, Natal, Orange Free State and Transvaal. These provinces had their own coat of arms. 1994present In April 1994, South Africa was divided into nine provinces. Each province was granted a coat of arms, in most cases designed by State Herald Frederick Brownell. See also South African heraldry Coat of arms of the Orange Free State Coat of arms of the Cape Colony Coat of arms of Natal Coat of arms of the Transvaal Coat of arms of the Orange River Colony References External links National Coat of Arms | South African Government South Africa Heraldry History Past and present South Africa National symbols of South Africa South African heraldry South Africa South Africa South Africa South Africa South Africa South Africa