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Bophutatswana (South African homeland)
Last modified: 2002-05-31 by jarig bakker
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![[Bophutatswana]](../images/z/za-bophu.gif)
by Mark Sensen
See also:
Bophutatswana - 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
Relatively large territory, vastely dispersed across central to western
Transvaal
into northeastern
Cape Province (today's northwesternmost
Mpumalanga
and North-West). Six main parts, three of which,
smaller, in Transvaal (with the easternmost one briefly bordering KwaNdebele),
and two other (one of which quite large) in the Cape Province; the sixth,
very uncompact shaped unlike the others, stretching between the two provinces
and extensively bordering Botswana.
Antonio Martins, 30 May 1999
There was a portion of Bophuthatswana in Orange
Free State at Thaba Nchu - about 50 km east of Bloemfontein (today
in
Free State).
Bruce Berry, 31 May 1999
Bophuthatswana flag
The design of the flag of Bophuthatswana was originally set out in section
2 of the Boputhatswana Flag Act of 1972, which reads as follows:
"The Bophuthatswana flag shall be Azure with a bar sinister Tenne,
in Dexter chief a roundel Argent charged with a leopard's face Sable pied
Argent.
The width of the flag shall be equal to two-thirds of its length.
The width of the bar shall be one-twelfth of the length of the flag.
The diameter of the roundel shall be one-quarter of the length of the
flag".
The blue symbolises the infinity of the sky and the striving for progress
and development. The orange bar refers to the golden path which must be
taken by the Tswana people in order to bring this development to fruition.
The leopard's face is symbolic of the authority necessary to lead the people
to the development of their potential. Leopards are traditional symbols
of authority for the Tswana people.
The flag was taken into use on 19 April 1973 after the homeland achieved
internal self-government on 1 June 1972.
The flag remained unchanged when the homeland became "independent"
on 6 December 1977 and a description of this flag was incorporated into
section 2 of the Republic of Boputhatswana Constitution Act.
Bophuthatswana was re-incorporated into South Africa on 27 April 1994
and ceased to exist as a separate political entity and the flag is no longer
in use.
Bruce Berry, 1 Dec 1998
In the Bophutatswana flags the tiger head seems to be the one really
used. Perhaps it was taken from the first design adopted by the Legislative
Assembly in 19 April 1972, that was red over green horizontal with white
circle in center and within it a tiger head, and rejected November 1973
when the well know flag was adopted
Jaume Ollé, 12 Apr 2001
Other flag
![[Bophutatswana other flag]](../images/z/za-bbo.gif)
by António Martins-Tuválkin, 9 Aug 2001
Here is another one from the South
African government page - the diagonal red stripe is narrower and the
leopard's head is more realistic (wraaow :-)
Jarig Bakker, 13 Apr 2001
Car flag
According to Flaggenmitteilung 102 there is a distinctive car-flag:
black flag bordered yellow, with a white circle in center containing the
arms.
Jaume Ollé, 12 Apr 2001
Presidential flag
Flaggenmitteilung 102 mentions also an orange presidential flag
with narrow border of blue and white stripes in four sides, with arms in
center.
Jaume Ollé, 12 Apr 2001
Bophuthatswana Police
Granted 20 Feb 1984
Description: A rectangular flag, proportions three by two, consisting
of two horizontal bands of equal width, maroon over green, charged in the
centre with the badge of the Bophuthatswana Police (to wit: a facetted
nine-pointed star Or, charged with an annulet Murry bearing the name BOPHUTHATSWANA
POLICE in letters Or, there-within on a plate the arms of the Republic
of Bophuthatswana, proper).
Source: Data
of the Bureau of Heraldry on registered heraldic representations.
Mark Sensen, 19 May 2002
Bophuthatswana Internal Intelligence Service
Granted 19 Apr 1985
Description: On a blue flag, proportions three by two, an old gold
pile reversed charged with a ratel statant proper, in the canton a
demi-leopard gardant also proper, holding in its forepaws a gold Tswana
battle-axe erect.
Source: Data
of the Bureau of Heraldry on registered heraldic representations.
Mark Sensen, 19 May 2002
