Flag of South Africa
A green band shaped like a sideways Y, edged in white, runs from the hoist and joins into one band across the fly. A black triangle edged in gold is at the hoist, with red above and blue below.
What the flag means
The government says that no universal symbolism should be attached to any of the colours. It explains only the converging green band, which it reads as the diverse groups in South African society meeting and moving forward together.
History
A public competition in 1993 drew more than 7,000 designs, but none won enough support. State Herald Fred Brownell drew the final design in March 1994. President F. W. de Klerk proclaimed it in a notice published on 20 April 1994, and it was first flown on election day, 27 April 1994, as an interim flag. In 1995 the Constitutional Assembly decided to keep it, and it was written into the Constitution that took effect in February 1997.
When it was adopted, it was the only national flag with six colours in its basic design.
Earlier flags of South Africa
- 1910–1928British Red Ensign with the Union's shield, used unofficially as the national flag
- 1928–1994Orange, white and blue stripes with three small flags in the centre
Flags of South Africa's neighbours
Sources
- Wikipedia: Flag of South Africa
- South African Government: National flag
Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Read how we research flags in our editorial policy, or report a mistake.
