Why are South Africans called "The Rainbow Nation"?

Question

Except for the obvious fact that we have people from all over the world living there. People from different walks of life and color still doesn't explain why we are called this. Any ideas?

Note to all: I need your own creative opinions. I'm not looking for the obvious. What does a rainbow mean to you and how do you relate that to "Rainbow Nation"?

Answer 1

We are called the Rainbow nation because this means unity of multi-culturalism and the coming-together of people of many different races. This is such a positive way of expressing South Africa especially in a country where certain races were treated poorly and unfairly.

Within South African indigenous cultures, the rainbow is associated with hope and a bright future (as in Xhosa culture).

The colours are simply said to symbolise the diversity of South Africa's usually unspecified cultural, ethnic or racial groups.

Whether you are pink, yellow, black, blue or white we are all equal and stand to have a good future ahead of us.

Porgie, i think this is quite interesting to know. I never thought of the Rainbow Nation this way and where it originated from but this is wonderful to know, hey!! Good question!!

This term was also found by the then Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, later Nelson Mandela elaborated this by saying: "Each of us is as intimately attached to the soil of this beautiful country as are the famous jacaranda trees of Pretoria and the mimosa trees of the bushveld - a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world"

Thanks for this great question!
Kim

Answer 2

Rainbow Nation

Answer 3

Rainbow Nation is a term coined by Archbishop Desmond Tutu to describe post-apartheid South Africa, after South Africa's first fully-democratic election in 1994. The phrase was elaborated upon by President Nelson Mandela in his first month of office, when he proclaimed: "Each of us is as intimately attached to the soil of this beautiful country as are the famous jacaranda trees of Pretoria and the mimosa trees of the bushveld - a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world The term was intended to encapsulate the unity of multi-culturalism and the coming-together of people of many different nations, in a country once identified with the strict division of white and black. In a series of televised appearances, Tutu spoke of the 'Rainbow People of God'. As a cleric, this metaphor drew upon the Old Testament story of Noah's Flood, and its ensuing rainbow of peace. Within South African indigenous cultures, the rainbow is associated with hope and a bright future (as in Xhosa culture). The secondary metaphor the rainbow allows is more political. Unlike the primary metaphor, the room for different cultural interpretations of the colour spectrum is slight. Whether the rainbow has Newton's seven colours, or five of the Nguni (i.e., Xhosa and Zulu) cosmology, the colours are not taken literally to represent particular cultural groups. The implied rhetoric avoids direct reference to colour in the sense of race (especially when acknowledging that natural rainbows have neither white nor black, the two race-associative colours). The colours are simply said to symbolise the diversity of South Africa's usually unspecified cultural, ethnic or racial groups

Answer 4

Cape Point was the origination of culture, back in the days when Van Riebeeck came, meaning that the different cultures and mixed races started from there and spread through out Africa. Every colour in South Africa has a part to play for our development and growth, believe it or not even the whites (I am coloured) help mold the country, as they say there is a season for everything ,and I guess its time for our black folks to have their reign - NOT RACIALLY INTENDED !!

Answer 5

Good Golly Miss Molly...sorry, was just singing some Little Richard...(**,)

Cuz the rainbow is colourful and so is our country!! Hmmm...never actually thought about that one...never into the deep depths of it!! Sorry, hey!!

BTW...what's ahppened to Kim now as well?? First it was Diesel...now it's her!!

Answer 6

Very interesting question, I have never really thought about it beyond the melting point of colours, hairstyles, body shapes, languages, cultures etc.

But now I am wondering - have you looked at our flag lately?? Could it be that??

Answer 7

HAHA
I have been PONDERING this,
"There is no longer ANY BLACK or WHITE in the NEW SOUTH AFRICA" but if you are white you cant get a job, if you are black you cant do the job.
OOOPS but thats RACIST and that wont do in the RAINBOW NATION where ultimately life is a "zebra crossing" black or white no middle line .
Um why did I leave S.A

Answer 8

we as the nation who come from vast culutures and different nations came together peacefully and live and maintain this peace up to this day

Answer 9

Because of different cultures! and religions

Answer 10

We have more rainbows.