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South African Flag

by Aakash Singha

The South African flag was adopted on April 27, 1994, and features green, red, blue, black, gold, and white in an intricate design.


South Africa Flag

 

Blank South Africa Flag

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South African Flag Description

South Africa’s flag has an elaborate design with several colors. Across the center stretches a horizontal green Y, outlined in white above and below.

The inner triangle of the Y faces the hoist side, and is filled in black with a gold outline. Above the Y, the flag is red, and below it, the flag is blue. The flag of South Africa is specified to have an aspect ratio of 3:2.

The South African flag’s Y can be seen as a symbol of convergence, that is, two parts uniting to become one, showing the joining of the country’s diverse elements. The colors of the South African flag reflect African history, particularly South Africa’s relationship with the Netherlands and the UK.

History of the South African Flag

South Africa was colonized by the Netherlands and Great Britain, which have been reflected in the nation’s flag throughout history. The Afrikaner flag of South Africa, which was in use from 1928 to 1994, included the flags of the British Union, the Orange Free State, and the Transvaal Vierkleur in the center band of the old Dutch flag.

On April 27, 1994, the Afrikaner flag was replaced with the current flag. A competition was held to choose the design of the country’s new flag. None of those submissions were chosen, however, and a flag was designed by a government official, which became the final national flag of South Africa.

National symbol(s): springbok (antelope), king protea flower
National colors: red, green, blue, yellow, black, white
National anthem:
Name: “National Anthem of South Africa”
Lyrics/Music: Enoch SONTONGA and Cornelius Jacob LANGENHOVEN/Enoch SONTONGA and Marthinus LOURENS de Villiers

Fact about South Africa flag

Country South Africa
Designed by Frederick Brownell
Adopted 27. April 1994
Revision NA
Design and Colors A horizontal bicolour of red (chili red) and blue with a black isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; over the partition lines is a green pall (a Y-shaped band) edged in both white against the red and blue bands and gold against the black triangle at the hoist side.
Size Ratio 2:3

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