List of South African flags
This article lists the flags of the various colonies and states that have existed in South Africa since 1652. Overview. The following flags have been used as the national flag of the Union of South Africa and the Republic of South Africa: History. Sporting flags (1992–1994). As a result of the sporting boycott of South Africa over its policy of apartheid, South Africa did not participate in the Olympic Games between 1964 and 1988. The country was re-admitted to the Olympic movement in 1991. As a result of a dispute over what flag and  national anthem to use following readmission, the team participated in the 1992 Summer Olympic Games under a specially designed sporting flag. The flag consisted of a white field charged with grey diamond, which represented the countries mineral wealth, three cascading bands of blue, red and green, which represented the sea, the land and agriculture respectively and the Olympic rings. This flag was also used to represent the South African team at the 1992 Summer Paralympics. Team uniforms included the emblem of Olympic Committee of South Africa, which depicted Olympic rings surrounded by olive branches, with the name of the country  above. The team would use Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" as its victory anthem at these games. At the 1994 Winter Games, South Africa participated under the flag of its Olympic committee. Provincial flags. 1910–1994. Between 1910 and 1994, South Africa was divided into four provinces, Cape Province, Natal, Orange Free State and Transvaal. These provinces had their own coat of arms but not their own flags. 1994–present. In April 1994, South Africa was divided into nine provinces. Each province was granted a coat of arms, in most cases designed by State Herald Frederick Brownell. Currently only one province , Mpumalanga, has adopted an official provincial flag, doing so in February 1996. The other eight provinces can be represented by white banners charged with their coats of arms. Proposed flags. Flags proposed in the 1990s. Designs shortlisted by the Commission on National Symbols. The Commission on National Symbols proposed six designs in October 1993. Designs Proposed Graphic design studios. A group of professional graphic design studios proposed several flag designs in November 1993. Designs shortlisted by the Joint Technical Working Committee. The Joint Technical Working Committee shortlisted 5 designs in February 1994. A further design was proposed also by the  African National Congress (ANC) based on a design shortlisted in October 1993. Proposal 4, designed by State Herald Frederick Brownell, was submitted to the Transitional Executive Council and approved as the final choice for the new flag.