FLAGGING THE “OLD” SOUTH AFRICA

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Flag history as a genre

Flags have long attracted human interest. However, it is only in the past half-century that the multi-faceted discipline of vexillology1 – which is the scientific study of the history, symbolism and usage of flags and an interest in flags in general2 – has developed into a serious independent field of study.
The use of flags as a means of human communication is of considerable antiquity and modern flag histories build extensively on the written legacy of the past. Flags are indeed a universal characteristic of human civilization and the history of flags forms an integral part of the history of society.
With the general exception of preliterate societies and certain nomadic peoples, it would seem that virtually every culture has taken into use flags of some kind.3 It is the intention of this thesis to address the origin of flags; to consider their characteristics and uses; and to sketch the evolution of flag literature against a multi-disciplinary academic background. This serves as a prelude to an overview of the historical background to South Africa’s early flags.
The essence of the thesis, namely the process by which the South African flag, adopted in 1994, came into being is addressed in greater detail. Since then this flag, which has been embraced by the public at large, has become the country’s premier graphic symbol of national identity. Although it is generally accepted by many vexillologists that hieroglyphics from the pre- dynastic period (before 3000 BC) show the use of flag-like objects known as vexilloids, which were worn by marine vessels at that time, indications are that flags attached along one edge to a vertical pole had been in use in China by the sixth century BC.
In his treatise on strategy, tactics and logistics, known as The art of war, the Chinese general and military theorist Sun-tzu wrote that “In battle all appears to be turmoil and confusion, but the flags and banners have prescribed arrangements; the sounds of the cymbals fixed rules.”4 Indications are that it was from trade with China that flags of cloth were introduced to the Western world by the Arabs.5 The use of totems, emblems and later flags as a means of identification and as a rallying point, was by no means a new concept.
In the Old Testament Book of Numbers, 1:52, one finds, for example, God’s instruction to Moses that the “Israelites will pitch their tents, each tribal host in its proper camp and under its own standard.” In chapter 2:2, we find that these standards were identified “by the emblems of his father’s family.”6 The tribes of Israel were thus to be mustered and grouped into familial companies, with the clearly visible rallying point of each being the distinctive standard bearing the emblem of the tribe and extended family to which the person belonged. In modern-day usage the term “standard” is customarily used as a generic term for a variety of types of flags, but in its now largely obsolete usage, the word applied equally to a pole set in the ground, to the top of which was attached a distinctive emblem, which served as a rallying point.

Contents :

• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• ABSTRACT 
• ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
• CHAPTER I – INTRODUCTION: FLYING FLAGS
  • 1.1 Flag history as a genre
  • 1.2 Defining flags
  • 1.3 Flag characteristics and terminology
  • 1.4 Outline of the chapters
• CHAPTER II- LITERATURE SURVEY: FLAGGING HISTORIES
  • 2.1 Flag plates, flag books and flag histories
  • 2.2 Evolution of vexillology and the emergence of flag literature
  • 2.3 Flag literature in Africa and South Africa
• CHAPTER III – FLAGGING THE “OLD” SOUTH AFRICA
  • 3.1 Early flags over South Africa
  • 3.2 Flags of the Union of South Africa
  • 3.3 South Africa’s national flag
  • 3.4 Promotion of the 1928 national flag and institution of the National Colour
  • 3.5 “Homelands” flags
• CHAPTER IV – FLAG RUMBLES OF DISCONTENT
  • 4.1 Flags and the rise of African nationalism
  • 4.2 South Africa and Africa’s flags
  • 4.3 Pressures in, on and around South Africa
  • 4.4 Negotiating the way forward
  • 4.5 Pondering national symbols
• CHAPTER V – COMMISSION, PUBLIC AND GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
  • 5.1 Negotiations commence, Commission appointed
  • 5.2 Flag proposals and Commission reports
  • 5.3 The Report and reaction
  • 5.4 Design Studio proposals
  • 5.5 Promulgation of the “Interim” Constitution
  • 5.6 A possible solution?
• CHAPTER VI – FLAG ISSUE: A MATTER OF URGENCY
  • 6.1 The Transitional Executive Council, the “Channel” and the Heraldry Council
  • 6.2 Process of acceptance
  • 6.3 Flag field day of dis / content
  • 6.4 Legislative, practical and regulatory aftermath
  • 6.5 Conclusion
• CHAPTER VII – “INTERIM” TO FINAL: PROGRESSIVE ACCEPTANCE
  • 7.1 New flag embraced
  • 7.2 New national flag derived Ensigns
  • 7.3 The flag and the Constitutional Assembly
  • 7.4 Epilogue: a flag fanfare
  • LIST OF FIGURES
  • BIBLIOGRAPHY
  • APPENDIX A – GLOSSARY
  • APPENDIX B – NATIONAL FLAG “PRIVATE” SPECIFICATION, MARCH
  • APPENDIX C – INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THE FLYING OF THE NATIONAL
  • FLAG OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA: 26 APRIL

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