The springbok has been the instantly recognisable symbol of South Africa since 1906 and was preserved in the post-apartheid era. Now the ANC wants to replace it and unite all the nation's sporting ...

On his farm two hours north of Johannesburg, Nico Thuynsma gestured towards thousands of orange, yellow and pink proteas in flower and thriving 1,500 kilometres (930 miles) from their natural ...

Protea flower grower Nico Thuynsma cultivates the blooms north of Johannesburg, 1,500 km (930 miles) from their natural home at the southern tip of Africa . Show more Show less .

The diverse protea family has more than 350 species in South Africa. The King Protea is SA’s largest flower export with more than 10 million stems sent abroad last year, worth close to R275 million.

The largest of the proteas, the King Protea, is South Africa's national flower. It has lent its name to the national cricket team and countless brands.