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Venda (South African homeland)

by Mark Sensen

Venda - introduction
flag description
Venda Police flag at EBay

Venda - 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

In the northeastern of Transvaal (today's Northern Province), with a main part and one main enclave, not very compactly shaped. It vastly borders on the northern part of Gazankulu.
Antonio Martins - 30 May 1999

Venda means "world" or "land" and as such refers to the traditional home of the BaVenda tribe. Venda was granted internal self-government on 1 February 1973 and achieved full "independence" from South Africa on 13 September 1979.
Bruce Berry, 1 December 1998

Venda flag description

The design of the Venda flag was originally set out in section 2 of the Venda Flag Act of 1973, which reads as follows:
"The Venda Flag shall be a flag consisting of three horizontal stripes of equal width from top to bottom of green, yellow and brown and towards the pole a vertical blue stripe appear, in the centre of the yellow stripe the letter V in brown.
The width of the Venda flag shall be equal to two-thirds of its length.
The length of the letter V shall be five-sevenths and the width of the letter V shall be five-sevenths of the width of a stripe".

A description of this flag, with amended wording, was subsequently incorporated into Schedule 3 of the Republic of Venda Constitution Act of 1979 and read as follows:
"Description of the National Flag of the Republic of Venda
Three horizontal stripes of equal width from top to bottom green, yellow and brown and towards the pole a vertical blue stripe equal in width to a horizontal stripe on which there shall appear, in the centre of the yellow stripes the letter V in brown. The width shall be equal to two-thirds of the length. The length of the letter V shall be five-sevenths of the width of a stripe and the width of the letter V shall be five-sevenths of the width of a stripe".
The colours of the flag of Venda are those used in traditional BaVenda beadwork. The design of the flag is reminiscent of that of the former Transvaal Republic, with three horizontal stripes and a hoist panel.
This design was also used briefly in the flag of neighbouring Zimbabwe Rhodesia (1979-80).
The brown symbolises the Venda soil, while the beauty of the countryside is reflected by the yellow and blue stands for heaven. The beads have a deeply religious significance and are passed down from generation to generation.
With the advent of democracy in South Africa, Venda was re-incorporated on 27 April 1994 and is now part of the Northern Province. The flag is no longer used.
Bruce Berry, 1 December 1998

While playing with my flags today, I pulled out and examined my full-sized flag of Venda. It was made in South Africa and does not exactly match the specifications shown on FOTW. Specifically, on my flag the "V" and the lower stripe are more
nearly black than brown. Was this an oft-seen variant?
Devereaux Cannon, 9 Feb 2003

Yes, some Venda flags were made by National Flag using a very dark shade of brown. Others made by CI Canvas had a much lighter shade, similar to that shown on image on FOTW. Official documentation shows the flag using the lighter shade.
Bruce Berry, 10 Feb 2003

Venda Police flag at EBay

Full size flag of the police force of the former South African 'homeland' of Venda, located in the north of South Africa. Venda was one of a number of ostensibly self-governing territories given nominal independence by the South African government during the apartheid era. In Venda's case, it was declared an independent republic in 1979, and was reabsorbed into the Republic of South Africa in April 1994. The flag measures 180 cm x 120 cm (approximately 4 foot x 6 foot) and is made of polyester. Each colour field is stitched to the next with French seams for strength; the V is printed, while the printed Venda police badge is appliqued to the flag. The flag bears the maker's mark of Monograms Flags & Badges of Pretoria, and is dated 1991.
Click here to see the flag, and here for a close-up of the badge.
Rob Raeside, 11 Mar 2002