Flag of South Africa

Flag origins

South Africa's flag uses red, blue, green, yellow, black and white, with a sideways green Y. Designed by State Herald Frederick Brownell, it entered use on 27 April 1994 at the first elections open to all races. The government explains the converging form as diverse elements of society coming together on one path. It does not prescribe separate universal meanings for each color, although the palette draws on different historical traditions.

Flag story

A public competition attracted more than seven thousand proposals without producing a final choice. Brownell developed alternatives quickly, and the selected design was approved on 15 March 1994, about six weeks before use. Initially transitional, it was widely accepted and retained in the 1996 Constitution.

Editorial notes and references

Edited by ABELHA WORKS. The English text translates the administrator-edited Japanese description. Legends should be distinguished from documented history. General reference links do not substantiate every statement in the text.

• South Africa — general information on Wikipedia
• Japan MOFA: countries and regions (Japanese)

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