A Blue Crane made President Ramaphosa stop in his tracks, and there’s an important message behind it all.
South Africa (18 September 2025) – On a recent outing, President Cyril Ramaphosa paused for something that wasn’t on any official agenda. A close-up encounter with South Africa’s national bird, the Blue Crane.
A short clip shows him declaring it ‘the most beautiful thing he’s seen.’
They really are special birds. The Blue Crane has long been a part of SA’s identity. Known as indwe in isiZulu and isiXhosa, its feathers were once awarded to warriors as a mark of bravery.
In Ndebele culture, the Blue Crane is admired for its hunting ability and is considered sacred, never to be hunted or eaten.
Its carried meanings of courage, dignity, and pride across different languages and regions.
It’s also the famous figure that appears on our five cent coin.
Cyril’s reaction to its sheer beauty is also a cue for us to chat about the serious stuff. Conservationists have raised the alarm over Blue Cranes just this year.
In June, they species was uplisted to Vulnerable status in the Regional Red Data Book 2025, meaning they face a high risk of extinction in the wild if things don’t change.
There are different factors that may lie behind their unfortunate decline, research is still being done. They occur almost entirely outside of protected areas, so pinpointing ‘why’ their numbers have dwindled are varied and require more digging.
Studies have already shown that it may be due to nest disturbance and climate change. Poisoning aimed at other species could also be at play, and reduced feeding and breeding areas may also be a factor in some regions due to agricultural practices. Chicks are prone to becoming entangled in fences and collisions with power lines are a main threat for Blue Cranes.
Due to the fact that they have a strong association with agriculture, a multi-pronged conservation approach is needed to properly protect SA’s national bird.
There is good work being done.
With the help of the IUCN Conservation Planning Specialist Group, the EWT/ICF has started a multi-stakeholder conservation plan and process for the species. Many different moving gears are involved, including the OCG, CapeNature, Wool Growers Association, Kogelberg Biosphere Rehabilitation Centre, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Eskom and Birdlife SA.
Communities also have the power to step up and make a change. Farmers, conservation groups, and volunteers across the country are encouraged to become the guardians of the Blue Crane.
So while Cyril’s comment was made in passing, it carries weight. To maintain our national bird’s presence and beauty in nature, we need to be focused on protecting it!
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