The Baobab
Flag History
The practice of flying two flags (state flags don't count, neither do supra-national flag) is very rare however it was also followed in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. After the dissolution of the federation, Rhodesia continued the practice with the Union Jack and the sky blue Rhodesian flag, but ceased doing so with the adoption of the new green and white national flag on 11 November 1968.
National Flags Past & Present of Southern Rhodesia / Rhodesia / Zimbabwe-Rhodesia / Zimbabwe
Up to 1923
The land was
administered from 1890 by the British South Africa Company. The first flag
of sovereignty flown in what is now Zimbabwe was the British Union Flag
(Union Jack) raised at Fort Salisbury on 13 September 1890, which marked the
beginning of prolonged British influence in the region. Instrumental in
bringing European pioneers to the area was the 19th century British
imperialist and financier, Cecil John Rhodes, whose British South African
Company (BSACo) was later given prospecting and mining rights by the
Matabele king, Lobengula. The company's own flag had not been received from
England when the Pioneer Column set out from South Africa, so a Union Jack
was carried instead, the first company flag only arriving in Fort Salisbury
in 1892. The flag of the BSACo was raised in the Matabele capital of
Bulawayo on 4 November 1893 after the Company's forces led by Major Patrick
Forbes drove the native Ndebele from the town. The flag consisted of a Union
Jack emblazoned with the BSACo badge in the centre.
1923-1953
Rhodesia became a
self-governing colony with responsible Government in 1923. What this meant
was that there was a local parliament although some powers (notably relating
to African political advancement) was retained by London. Southern Rhodesia
(as it was called then) was ruled via the Dominions Office (and NOT the
Colonial Office) although strictly speaking the country was not a Dominion
(like Canada, Australia, South Africa etc.). This was a unique case. The
status and usage of Southern Rhodesian flags from 1924-1937 was a bit of a
mess, to say the least! But it appears that S. Rhodesia, when it used the
blue ensign at all, used the shield of the territory without the white ring
behind it, unlike other colonies. The two contemporary images I have are
flatly contradictory. One (dated 1940) implies the circle, the other (c1937)
doesn't.
1953-1963
The Federation of
Rhodesia and Nyasaland, also called Central African Federation was created
in 1953, embracing the colony of Southern Rhodesia and the territories of
Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The Federation was ended on 1963-12-31, and
Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland gained independence in 1964 as Zambia and
Malawi.
1964-1965
After the
break-up of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (when Southern Rhodesia
joined the British protectorates of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland between
1953 - 1963) Northern Rhodesia became the independent republic of Zambia and
Nyasaland became Malawi under African leadership during 1964. Rhodesia
(having dropped the "Southern") wanted independence on the same lines but
the British Government refused on the basis that not enough was being done
regarding the political advancement of the Africans. The Rhodesian national
flag from 8 April 1964 until 11 November 1968, was in the style of a British
ensign with the Rhodesian badge in the fly. Rather than the dark blue ensign
commonly used by Commonwealth countries or British colonies, such as those
used by Australia or Hong Kong, the field of the Rhodesian flag was light
blue or sky blue, similar to that used on the Royal Air Force ensign or the
flag of Fiji or Tuvalu.
1965-1979
Consequently the
white minority government of Ian Smith declared a Unilateral Declaration of
Independence (UDI) on 11 November 1965. This was not recognised by any other
country (incl. South Africa by the way!) and the following year Britain went
to the UN and had mandatory sanctions imposed on the breakaway "rebel"
colony. South Africa and Portugal (prior to 1975) did not comply with the UN
embargo. To signify the severing of colonial links Rhodesia adopted a new
flag on 11 November 1968 - being green, white and green with the national
Arms in the centre of the white stripe. Rhodesia declared herself a republic
on 2 March 1970, an act again not recognised by the UK which maintained it
"legally" had control although de facto this was not the case.
1979 (June - December)
African
opposition to UDI and the white regime manifested itself through an
increasing guerrilla struggle waged from initially Zambia and then also from
Mozambique. In 1978 the Rhodesian Government reached a compromise with
"internal" African leaders resulting in first time universal suffrage
elections in February 1979. This led to the establishment of a black led
government under Bishop Abel Muzorewa and the formation of ZIMBABWE RHODESIA
on 01 June 1979. As the external guerrilla leaders were not accommodated the
new state was not recognised (although Margaret Thatcher did her best!) and
sanctions were maintained and the guerrilla struggle continued. A new flag
to reflect the changing political dispensation was hoisted on 2 September
1979.
1979 (December) - 1980 (17th April 1980)
The new
Zimbabwe-Rhodesia government entered into negotiations with the external
nationalists at Lancaster House held under the auspices of the British
Government. This resulted in a cease-fire and the arrival of a British
Governor (Lord Soames) on 12 December 1979. Rhodesia had reverted back to
being a British Colony under direct control from London. Sanctions were
lifted and legality restored. The Union Jack was restored. Under the
supervision of the Commonwealth, further elections were held which resulted
in victory for (externally based terrorist) Robert Mugabe. On 18 April 1980
the new sovereign independent republic of Zimbabwe was born and the current
Zimbabwe flag was adopted. It was the Union Jack that became the flag of the
"colony" in Dec 1979. This is the reason why it was the Union Jack that was
lowered at the Independence ceremony and not the Southern Rhodesia light
blue ensign
1980 (18th April 1980) – Current
The National Flag
of Zimbabwe. The green shield represents the fertility of our soil while the
blue and white wavy lines symbolise the water which brings prosperity. The
representation of Great Zimbabwe stands for the surposed historical heritage
of the nation. The rifle and hoe represent the transition from war to peace
they hoped for. The wreath is formed of twisted strips of gold and green
silk, and represents the mining and agricultural enterprise which protected
the national economy. This supports the crest in which the star is an
ancient symbol of hope for the future, tinctured red to remind people of the
suffering of all peoples and the need to avoid any recurrence of that
suffering. The star bears the Great Zimbabwe bird which had become a
distinctive national emblem. The Kudu in their natural colours display a
harmonious blend of black, white and brown which may be taken to symbolise
the unity of purpose of the various ethnic groups which comprise the people
of the country.
1900-1923 Flag
of the British South African Company
1923-c1937
British Union flag (although blue ensign flags also used)
c1937-1953
Blue ensign (although Union flag remained official)
1953-1963 Flag
of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (alongside Union Flag)
1964-1968
Light blue ensign
1968-1979
green-white-green Rhodesian flag
1979
Zimbabwe-Rhodesia flag
Dec 1979-17th
April 1980 British Union flag
1980 - Current
Zimbabwean flag
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