The Secret History Behind South Africa's Flag

South Africa's flag was designed in a matter of weeks, for a country that was about to change forever.

State Herald Frederick Brownell designed it in March 1994, and it came into use in April 1994, as South Africa held its first democratic election, replacing the flag used since 1928. Its six colors stand for the unity of the country's different groups, and the Y shape symbolizes paths converging into a shared, united future.

The date printed on every South Africa design in our catalog, May 31, 1910, is the day the Union of South Africa was created from four colonies: the Cape, Natal, the Transvaal and the Orange Free State.

A Y that begins as two roads and ends as one.

See the South Africa — Rainbow Nation Tee → · Browse the Southern Africa collection → — or explore the story behind any other country's flag on our free Flag Story Cards page.