Explanation of the SYMBOLISM attached to our LOGO

The general circular theme symbolises perfection, completeness and a timeless cyclical progression.

 

The outer circle in gold represents purity and something of high value – that which has to be attained at all costs. The outer circle contains the name of the Association at the top, being the KwaZulu-Natal Association of Public Sector Lawyers. The letters “K”, “A”, “P”, “S” and “L” are emboldened forming the letters “KAPSL”, the acronym of our Association. The motto in isiZulu “UMthetho ungaphezu kwakho konke” meaning “The Law reigns supreme” and, therefore, conveying the concept of “The Rule of Law” appears at the bottom of the outer circle. The name of the Association and the motto are spelled out in black – solid and unshakeable. 

 

The inner circle is sectioned into 3 portions.

 

The left portion depicts crossed golden quills against a white background. This represents the tools of the trade of lawyers – quills or pens – used in formulating and drafting the words which will ultimately form the laws (contracts and legal opinions) drafted by public sector lawyers. The background is white representing as it were “a clean slate” on which the lawyers must place the words which will form the laws reflecting the policy of the government of the day (the contracts government enters into, and the independent and non-partisan legal opinions submitted to government for consideration), but always in accordance with the principles of Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law as reflected in the motto.

 

The right portion depicts an open book on a dark green background. Following from the left portion, the laws have now been written, have gone through the legislative process – have been enacted – and appear on the Statute Book to be implemented and applied in practice, to touch the lives of those governed, the citizens. The Statute Book is open revealing the writing and symbolising the accessibility of the laws to the citizens. The dark green background represents the earth, the practical effect of the laws (the contracts and the legal opinions) on the day to day lives of citizens.

 

The upper portion depicts a white hand balance/ scales against a dark blue background. Following from the right portion – the laws on the Statute Book – the laws (contracts and legal opinions) must be tested and weighed against the Constitution and the Rule of Law, both by the courts and by the drafters, and if found wanting or deficient in any respect, the cyclical process must once again resume to correct the situation. Therefore back to the golden quills, back to drafting, to ensure that the laws (contracts and legal opinions) touching and regulating the lives of citizens do, in fact, reflect the principles of Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law. The white hand balance/ scales represent impartiality, non-partisanship and no undue influence. The dark blue background represents the sky, the high and lofty ideals and principles (those of Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law) against which the laws (contracts and legal opinions) must be measured and weighed.

  

We have applied to the State Herald (Bureau of Heraldry) for the registration of the name of our Association and our logo (“badge”) in terms of the Heraldry Act, 1962 (Act No. 18 of 1962).