South African flag meaning

[qmac47]

I am looking for the meaning of the colors and shapes of the flag of South Africa. I am a US geography teacher trying to learn more about your nation.

[Allan]

Hi

You can find information about South Africa's national symbols (including the pre-94 ones) at the following website

http://www.polity.org.za/html/people/pics.html

Furethermore a book telling the story of the new South African flag has recently been published. Information is available at

http://flyingwithpride.co.za/

Good luck

[vyfbop]

The national flag of the Republic of South Africa was first used on 27 April 1994.The design and colours are a synopsis of principal elements of the country's flag history. Individual colours, or colour combinations were different meanings for different people and therefore no universal symbolism should be attached to any of the colours.
The central design of the flag, beginning at the flagpost in a "V" form and flowing into a single horizontal band to the outer edge of the fly, can be interpreted as the convergence of diverse elements within
South African society, taking the road ahead in unity. The theme of convergence and unity ties in with the motto of the National Coat of Arms, "Unity is Strength".
http://www.gov.za/inauguration/flag.htm

--------------------
Though the statement from the official government website above states that the colours mean different things to different people, I can remember from the speech when the flag was raised for the first time at Athlone Stadium, that the meanings did not have any political parties or any single group in particular.
So from memory, here's my version:
Black: To symbolise the chaos that was once here.
Gold: To symbolise the richness of the land
Green: Symbolises the land itself
White: Symbolises cleansing
Blue: Symbolises the ocean/water.
Red: Symbolises the blood lost in wars through SA history.
the "V" symbolises the unity that is described above.

[vyfbop]

So why do you believe the yellow,green and black on the SA flag would be connected to the colours of the ANC?

[Nubianman]

That flag is a mishmash nightmare which tries to blend Europe together with Africa, someting which cannot be tenable because of inherent differences between the two.

In a few years after we Africans have regained our stolens land, it will not surprise me if the colours are again changed to reflect the new realities on the ground. Everyone knows that red, white and blue are sysbols of European countries!!

[vyfbop]

The colours have nothing to do with reflecting a particular political party or a particular group of people. The old flag was changed because it symbolised the union jack and previous colonial regimes so why on earth would the new flag be chosen to do the same?



[Edited by vyfbop on 16th April 2003 at 21:04]

[Jaybang]

10 Points awarded to Vyfbop !!

The national flag of the Republic of South Africa was first used on 27 April 1994.The design and colours are a synopsis of principal elements of the country's flag history. Individual colours, or colour combinations were different meanings for different people and therefore no universal symbolism should be attached to any of the colours.

The central design of the flag, beginning at the flagpost in a "V" form and flowing into a single horizontal band to the outer edge of the fly, can be interpreted as the convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the road ahead in unity. The theme of convergence and unity ties in with the motto of the National Coat of Arms, "Unity is Strength".

http://www.dfa.gov.za/department/flag.htm