image by Jens Pattke, 13 Jan 2013
Last modified: 2019-08-06 by bruce berry
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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.
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
