By creating an account, I agree to the
Terms of service and Privacy policy
Choose your country and language:
Africa
Americas
Asia Pacific
Europe
TThe new South African flag design came into being rapidly. Just a few months before the elections in 1994, a committee was tasked to come up with the perfect design with little time to spare. Led by former State Herald, Fred Brownell, the team was given one week to come up with an appropriate design.
Brownell had reportedly made a few sketches the year before, while at a vexillological (flag expert) conference in Switzerland. One of these was selected by both sides of the transitional government as the preferred design. It was even sent to Nelson Mandela who was in Rustenburg at the time, to approve it by fax.
The current South African flag was only destined to be the country’s interim flag to coincide with the interim government, but was eventually assimilated as one of the official symbols of the new democracy.
The South African national flag was first hoisted on 27 April 1994 when the country held its first free elections. Today this is known as Freedom Day and is celebrated as a public holiday on which the flag is traditionally flown. The flag’s first official appearance was at the presidential inauguration of Nelson Mandela on 10 May 1994.
Officially the South African flag colours do not hold any symbolism, although they have unmistakable historical origins. Black, yellow and green are the colours of ruling ANC party. Red, white and blue are a nod to both the flags of the European colonists as well as the old Boer republics
The meaning of the South African flag design can be traced to the motto on the National Coat of Arms which reads: ‘!ke e:/xarra //ke’ which is in the Khoisan language of the /Xam people and means ‘diverse people unite.’
The ‘Y’ represents a convergence of diversity, which can be interpreted as the convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the road ahead in unity.
Did You Know?
South Africa on social media
Useful links
Explore
