“It's a potent symbol of unity and progress. It's the only six-colored national flag in the world. It's also one of the youngest, yet whatever shape it takes - and it's taken more than any other national symbol - it's instantly recognizable to South Africans everywhere.
Choosing a new flag was part of the negotiation process set in motion when Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990. When a nationwide public competition was held in 1993, the National Symbols Commission received more than 7 000 designs. Six designs were drawn up and presented to the public and the Negotiating Council - but none elicited enthusiastic support.
In February 1994, Cyril Ramaphosa and Roelf Meyer, chief negotiators of the African National Congress and the National Party government of the day respectively, were tasked with resolving the flag issue. A final design was adopted on 15 March 1994 - derived from a design developed by Fred Brownell, the former State Herald.
The "pall" (Y) is correctly stated as symbolizing the convergence and going forward as one unified nation of previously disparate groups in South Africa.”
Bruce Berry, 14 Feb 2000
History of the anthem II from South African Government site
A Brief History of South Africa
Millenia B. C,
The ancestors of the Khoikhoi and San are living in Southern Africa.
A.D. 300
Ancestors of Bantu-speaking South Africans begin to settle in South Africa.
1652
The Dutch start a colony in South Africa at the Cape of Good Hope.
1658
The Dutch import slaves to the Cape from various countries in Africa, and from the Dutch East Indies.
1806
The British defeat the Dutch, the Xhosa and other African peoples.
1808
Shaka Zulu is called to serve as Mtetwa warrior, later rises to leader of the army of Dingiswayo, and Zulu chieftain. He creates the most powerful kingdom in Southern Africa.
1817-1828
The Mfecane Wars, Zulu consolidation and the forced relocation among Bantu peoples in eastern half of country.
1820
British settlers (“1820 Settlers”) settle in and around Grahamstown on Xhosa land.
1834
Britain ends slavery in all British colonies, including the Cape.
1836
The Great Trek begins, as Afrikaners leave the coast to establish new settlements.
1838
Afrikaners defeat Zulu warriors led by Dingaan at the Battle of Blood River.
1852-54
Afrikaners form two republics, the Transvaal and the Orange Free State.
1867
Diamond mining begins in Griqualand West.
1879
British and colonial forces invade Zululand, lose an entire regiment to Zulu at Isandhlwana, but eventually prevail defeating the Zulu.
1880
The first of two Anglo-Boer wars begins.
1886
Gold mining begins on Witwatersrand..
1893
Mahatma Ghandi travels to South Africa as a lawyer, and later establishes the Natal Indian Congress, to lead protests against the denial of Indian people's right to vote.
1898
The Venda are defeated completing the white conquest of the African population of southern Africa.
1902
The second Anglo-Boer ends with a British victory.
1910
The Union of South Africa is formed.
1912
The South African Native National Congress is formed to fight discrimination. It is later renamed the African National Congress (ANC).
1913
Afrikaners form the National Party to preserve their identity under British rule.
The Land Act makes it illegal for Africans to purchase or lease land from Europeans.
1923
The Natives (Urban Areas) Act establishes the principle of racial segregation and enforces rigid control over African urban population.
1944
Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and other found African National Congress Youth League.
1939-45
World War II.
1948
The National Party comes to power and adopts the policy of apartheid.
1949
Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act outlaws inter-racial marriage.
1950
The Group Areas Act legalizes government control over areas of the country to be designated as reserved for particular race groups, thereby providing for even stricter racial segregation.
1953
The Bantu Education Act established "separateness" in education. African schools are limited and no longer follow the same curriculum as non-black schools. English is prohibited as medium of instruction in African primary schools and limited in secondary schools.
1960
The Sharpeville massacre; the ANC and other activist groups are banned.
1961
After 49 years of non-violent protest, the ANC turns to armed resistance.
1963
Nelson Mandela, the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the ANC, is arrested, and later, along with other Rivonia trialists, is sentenced to life imprisonment.
1976
Soweto student uprising begins. Protests and riots take place in black townships across the country.
1977
Black Consciousness leader, Steve Biko, is killed while in police custody.
1978
P.W. Botha becomes president of South Africa.
1978
South African Council of Churches supports civil disobedience.
1980
A new surge of protests, strikes and boycotts begins.
1983
United Democratic Front is formed to oppose apartheid.
A new constitution grants limited power to Coloreds and Indians but not blacks.
1984
Uprisings in black townships intensify.
The National Party government declares a state of emergency.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu receives the Nobel Peace Prize.
1986-87
Talks begin between Afrikaners and the ANC.
1986-1995
Violent conflicts occur between government-backed Zulu supporters of the Inkatha Freedom Party and the ANC.
1990
President F.W. de Klerk legalizes anti-apartheid groups. Nelson Mandela is released from prison.
1991
Formal multi-party talks begin.
1993
Agreement is reached on an interim constitution; a transitional government meets.
Nelson Mandela and F.W. DeKlerk awarded the Nobel Peace Prize "for their work [in] the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime, and for laying the foundations for a new democratic South Africa."
1994
Nelson Mandela becomes President in South Africa's first democratic elections.
1995
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission is established.
1996
South Africa adopts a new constitution to take effect in 1997. Its Bill of Rights is the most extensive in the world and is the first to guarantee equal rights on the basis of sexual orientation.
1998
One of every seven South Africans is thought to be infected with HIV, and it is estimated that the number will soon reach one in four. While not the highest rate on the continent, it represents an increase unseen elsewhere.
The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) is launched on International Human Rights Day. Its main objective is greater access to treatment for all South Africans.
1999
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission issues its report.
South Africa's second democratic presidential elections take place.
Thabo Mbeki is elected President.
2000
The 13th International AIDS Conference takes place in Durban, South Africa, the epicenter of the global AIDS pandemic. This marks the first time the conference has taken place in the global South.
Adapted from Facing History and Ourselves - A Guide to Facing the Truth with Bill Moyers and A History of South Africa by Leonard Thompson, Yale University Press.
