The Greek National Anthem

Σε γνωρίζω από την κόψη
του σπαθιού την τρομερή,
σε γνωρίζω από την όψη
που με βία μετράει τη γη.

Απ' τα κόκαλα βγαλμένη
των Ελλήνων τα ιερά,
και σαν πρώτα ανδρειωμένη,
χαίρε, ω χαίρε, Ελευθεριά!

This is verse 1 and 2 of the 158 verses of the Greek National Anthem.
To see the rest go to http://www.nafpaktos.com/greek_national_anthem.htm

The English Translation

We knew thee of old,
Oh, divinely restored,
By the lights of thine eyes,
And the light of thy Sword,
From the graves of our slain,
Shall thy valour prevail,
As we greet thee again- Hail,
Liberty! Hail!

The South African National Anthem

Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika
Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo,
Yizwa imithandazo yethu,
Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo.
Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso,
O fedise dintwa la matshwenyeho,
O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso,
Setjhaba sa South Afrika - South Afrika.
Uit die blou van onse hemel,
Uit die diepte van ons see,
Oor ons ewige gebergtes,
Waar die kranse antwoord gee,
Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for freedom,
In South Africa our land.
The English Translation:
Lord, bless Africa
May her spirit rise high up
Hear thou our prayers
Lord bless us.
Lord, bless Africa
Banish wars and strife
Lord, bless our nation
Of South Africa.
Ringing out from our blue heavens
From our deep seas breaking round
Over everlasting mountains
Where the echoing crags resound ...

The Greek Flag 

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The number of the lines is based on the number of the syllables in the Greek phrase: Eleutheria H Thanatos (Freedom or Death). Freedom or Death was the motto during the years of the Hellenic Revolution against the Ottoman Empire in the 19nth century [There are claims that the number of lines reflects the number of letters in the Greek word for Freedom which equals 9]. This word stirred the heart of the oppressed Greeks, it created intense emotions and inspired them to fight and gain their freedom after 400 years of slavery. The line pattern was chosen because of their similarity with the wavy sea that surrounds the shores of Greece.

The interchange of blue and white colours makes the Hellenic Flag on a windy day to look like the Aegean Pelagos. The Greek Square Cross that rests on the upper left-side of the flag and occupies one fourth of the total area demonstrates the respect and the devotion the Greek people have for the Greek Orthodox Church and signifies the important role of Christianity in the formation of the modern Hellenic Nation.

The blue and white colours symbolise the blue of the Greek Sea and the Whiteness of the restless Greeks waves. According to the mythic legends, the Goddess of Beauty, Aphrodite emerged from these waves. In addition, it reflects the blue of the Greek Sky and the White of the few clouds.

The South African Flag

 

The South African flag is a potent symbol of unity and progress. It's the only six-coloured national flag in the world. It's also one of the youngest, yet whatever shape it takes - and it's taken more than any other national symbol - it's instantly recognisable to South Africans everywhere.

The new South African national flag first flew on 10 May 1994 - the day Nelson Mandela became president, two weeks after the country's first democratic elections of 27 April 1994 - "not as a symbol of a political party, nor of a government, but as a possession of the people - the one thing that is literally and figuratively above all else, our flag".

The central design of the flag, beginning at the flag-pole in a V form and flowing into a single horizontal band to the outer edge of the fly, can be interpreted as the convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the road ahead in unity.

Greek School on the West Rand

The West Rand Hellenic Community is fortunate to have a dedicated teacher in Mr Ioannis Floros. Mr Floros is responsible for teaching the Hellenic language and culture to children of all ages.

Greek School is taught on a Saturday afternoon, accompanied by Greek Dancing. Both Greek School and Greek Dancing are offered free to the community. Children only have to be enrolled to be able to participate. Anyone interested in attending Greek School can contact us.

Greek Dancing

Greece is probably one of the very few places in Europe and the New World where traditional dance is still alive, intertwined with our daily lives.  This is why we take our dancing classes seriously and children are welcome to join on Saturdays to draw the benefits of the Art of Greek Dancing.

Our Cultural Centre

We are fortunate on the West Rand to have a cultural centre donated by the combined efforts of a few passionate and dedicated community members who donated parts of what has become the Cultural Centre as a whole.