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Proposed flags for an independent KwaNdebele

South African Homeland

Last modified: 2022-10-22 by bruce berry
Keywords: south africa | homeland | kwandebele |
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Background

The KwaNdebele homeland was granted internal “self-government” on 01 April 1981 in terms of Chapter II of the National States Constitution Act and in 1982 indicated that it would move towards full “independence” from South Africa. However, on 12 August 1986, after months of internal strife and unrest in the Homeland, the Speaker announced that the Legislative Assembly had rejected independence that had been scheduled for 11 December 1986. Of the nine other Homelands in South Africa at that time, only Transkei (in 1976), Bophuthatswana (in 1977), Venda (in 1979) and Ciskei (in 1981) had opted for “full independence”. This independence status was not recognised internationally and these states were not considered as separate political entities outside of South Africa.

On 06 May 1987, following the death of Chief Minister SS Skosana, the KwaNdebele Legislative Assembly made a unanimous decision to rescind the decision by the
previous Speaker and to opt instead for independence. However, the South African government introduced certain conditions, including the establishment of a Committee of Inquiry and the holding of a referendum on the issue, before the matter could be pursued further. The release from prison of Nelson Mandela and the unbanning of various political organisations by the South African government in February 1990 resulted in the halt of any further political developments in KwaNdebele as South Africa, as a whole, moved towards full democracy.

KwaNdebele ceased to exist as a separate administrative and political entity on 27 April 1994 when it was re-incorporated into South Africa as part of the Mpumalanga Province following the adoption of a non-racial constitution.


Proposed car flag for the President of KwaNdebele

image by Jens Pattke, 13 Jan 2013

Following the decision to opt for independence, designs for a number of flags for the proposed "Republic of KwaNdebele" by the Department of Development Aid in South Africa.

The proposed car flag for the President of KwaNdebele comprised a white field in the centre of which is the Coat of Arms of KwaNdebele in colour. Beneath the Arms is the proposed official name of the territory in Ndebele, “REPHABLIKI YA KWANDEBELE” (Republic of KwaNdebele) in light blue capital letters.

From the title of the art-card and the flag illustrated, it can be deduced that this flag was designed as a car flag for the President of KwaNdebele, to be used on official vehicles by the Head of State once the territory gained its independence.

As independence was never obtained, this flag was not formally adopted.
Bruce Berry, 13 Jan 2013