Qwaqwa

Last modified: 2000-01-21 by ole andersen
Keywords: south africa | homeland | qwaqwa | horse: pony (black) |
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by Mark Sensen

See also:

• Old South Africa
• South Africa
• Former Province :
  • Orange Free State
• New Province :
  • Free State

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

Qwaqwa

Very small territory, with no enclaves, in northeastern Orange Free State (today's Free State), bordering Lesotho and Natal.
Antonio Martins - 30 May 1999

The name QwaQwa means "where we come from" and the homeland was given internal self-government on 1 November 1974.

The design of the QwaQwa flag is set out on section 2 of the QwaQwa Flag Act of 1975, which reads as follows:

"The flag of QwaQwa shall be a flag consisting of a field of green, thereon an orange fess stripe, there-between a Basotho pony rampant proper.
The width of the QwaQwa flag shall be equal to two-thirds of its length".

The green symbolises the land, while the two couped orange stripes, coming from the hoist and fly respectively, represent the two original tribes from which the nation evolved and their traditional links with the Orange Free State. The Basotho pony refers to the sure-footed progress of the people on the often difficult path of progress. The Basotho pony is the natural means transport in this mountainous region.

QwaQwa was re-incorporated into South Africa on 27 April 1994 and is now part of the Free State province. Since that date, the flag has not been in use.

Bruce Berry - 1 December 1998