Flag of the South African Republic

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'Vierkleur' (1857-74, 1875-77, 1881-1902, and 1914-1915)
'Burgers Flag' (1874-75)

The Flag of the South African Republic was the flag of the former Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek or in English translation, the South African Republic, which existed from 1852 to 1877, and 1881 to 1902. Two flags were used : (1) the so-called 'Vierkleur' (Four-colour) from 1857 to 1874 and again from 1875 to 1877 and 1881 to 1902, and (2) the so-called 'Burgers Flag' from 1874 to 1875. They were superseded by the Flag of Transvaal. It was also used by the South African Republic declared in 1914 during the Maritz Rebellion, which lasted into February of 1915.

History

In 1856, the Voortrekker territories north of the Vaal River agreed to unite as the "South African Republic". A constitution was drawn up and a flag designed. The flag, known as the 'Vierkleur' ("four colour") was raised in Potchefstroom on 6 January 1857, and was ratified by the republic's Volksraad (legislature) on 18 February 1858.[1][2] The Vierkleur was flown until October 1874.

The new flag, introduced by state president Thomas François Burgers, was approved by the Volksraad on 24 October 1874. It was an improved version of a flag which some of the Voortrekkers are believed to have used in the 1830s and '40s. However, it was very unpopular, and on 10 May 1875, the Volksraad restored the Vierkleur as the official flag.[1] [2] [3]

The 'Vierkleur' was in abeyance during the British occupation of the Transvaal, from 12 April 1877 to 7 August 1881. It flew again until the republic came to a final end on 31 May 1902. It was later used by the Maritz Revolt rebels who declared a resurrection of the South African Republic in 1914 and later incorporated into the National Flag of South Africa, from 1928 to 1994.

After the adoption of the 1928 flag, the Vierkleur was used by right-wing groups opposed to societal transformation and racial integration,[4][5] such as the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging[6]

Descriptions

'Vierkleur'

The flag was simply the flag of the Netherlands with the addition of a green vertical band at the hoist. The Volksraad resolution of 18 February 1858 which confirmed the design stated that the motto 'Eendracht maakt macht' should be placed on the flag, but this was never done.[1] [2]

'Burgers Flag'

The flag is blue, charged with a red saltire edged in white.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Pama, C. (1965). Lions and Virgins.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Brownell, F.G. (1993). National and Provincial Symbols.
  3. ↑ Appelgryn, M.S. (1976). 'Pogings van Pres T.F. Burgers om die Vlag en Wapen van die ZAR te Verander' in Historia (September 1976).
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

Sources

  • Brownell, F.G. (1993). National and Provincial Symbols.
  • Burgers, A.P. (1997). Sovereign Flags over Southern Africa.
  • Burgers, A.P. (2008). The South African Flag Book.
  • Pama, C. (1965). Lions and Virgins.

See also

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