Independence:
May 31, 1910 - Union of South Africa formed from four British colonies: Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange Free State.
May 31, 1961 - republic declared
April 27, 1994 - majority rule
National Holiday: Freedom Day, 27th of April (1994)
Country Name:
long form: Republic of South Africa
short form: South Africa
former: Union of South Africa
abbreviation: RSA
Government Type: Republic
Capital: Pretoria
 Flag Description:
Two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band that splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes; the flag colors do not have any official symbolism, but the Y stands for the "convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the road ahead in unity"; black, yellow, and green are found on the flag of the African National Congress, while red, white, and blue are the colors in the flags of the Netherlands and the UK, whose settlers ruled South Africa during the colonial era. |
