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KwaZulu (South African homeland)

by Mark Sensen

KwaZulu - introduction
Kwazulu - 1985 flag
KwaZulu - 1977 flag

See also:

Natal

New Province :

KwaZulu/Natal

The Zulu and Swazi shield

KwaZulu - introduction

Within the "old" South Africa, 10 homelands were created, four of which were granted "independence" by South Africa (not recognised by any other country in the world). These former South African Homelands/bantustans ceased to exist on 27 April 1994. They have all (including the former so called independent Homelands) been reincorporated into South Africa.
The flags of the former Homelands are no longer in use (either officially or unofficially).
Bruce Berry, 25 April 1996

The former KwaZulu homeland was relatively large but highly segmented in enclaves and exclaves all over the former Natal province (today's KwaZulu/Natal), one of which completely adjoins the Mozambican border in the north. It also bordered on Transkei in the south.
Antonio Martins, 30 May 1999

The self-governing homeland of KwaZulu comprised a large number of non-contiguous parts spread throughout the Zululand and Natal. The homeland was granted internal self-government on 01 February 1977.
Bruce Berry, 1 December 1998

KwaZulu - 1977 flag

by Mark Sensen

The design of the original flag of Kwazulu is set out in section 2 of the KwaZulu Flag Act of 1977, which reads as follows:
"The width of the flag of KwaZulu shall be equal to two-thirds of its length.
On the left of the flag shall be a vermilion coloured vertical panel of which the width shall be equal to one-third of the width of the flag and in the middle of this panel shall be portrayed in white a shield of a Zulu warrior, five-ninths the height of the flag.
The right hand portion of the flag shall be divided into five horizontal panels.
The top and bottom horizontal panels shall be white and each of these shall be equal to one-third of the height of the flag.
The middle three panels shall be equal in width and coloured from top to bottom, gold, green and black".
Bruce Berry, 01 Dec 1998

KwaZulu - 1985 flag

The 1977 flag was replaced on 14 January 1985 by an amended design which was prescribed in the KwaZulu Flag Amendment Act of 1984.
The description of the amended flag reads as follows:
"The width of the flag of KwaZulu shall be equal to two-thirds of its length.
On left of the flag shall be a vermilion vertical panel of which the width shall be equal to one-third of the width of the flag and in the middle of this panel shall be portrayed in white a shield, five-ninths the height of the flag, superimposed on the plumed staff and spears in saltire of a Zulu warrior.
The right hand portion of the flag shall be divided into five horizontal panels.
The top and bottom panels shall be white and each of these panels shall be equal to one third of the height of the flag.
The middle three portions shall be equal in width and coloured from top to bottom, black, green and gold".
The Inkatha Freedom Party, which exercised political control in KwaZulu had its origins in the African National Congress (ANC). In the first of the KwaZulu flags, the stripes in the middle of the flag were the reverse of the ANC. In the later version, this was changed to the order found on the ANC flag, namely black, green and gold. These colours are said the represent the people (black), the land (green) and natural wealth and resources (gold). White and red are the additional colours of Inkatha. Whereas the first flag bore a plain white shield on the hoist panel, a further change in the amended design is the addition of a full shield, staff and spears of a Zulu warrior.
KwaZulu was re-incorporated into South Africa on 27 April 1994 and is now part of the KwaZulu-Natal province. The homeland flag is no longer in use.
The flag of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) consists of seven horizontal stripes of red, white, black, green, gold, white and red.
Bruce Berry, 01 Dec 1998