SA national flag designer dies in Pretoria
79-year-old Frederick Brownell designed the flag of South Africa in 1994.
The designer of South Africa’s flag has died at his home in Pretoria last week.
Frederick Brownell (79) died in Pretoria on Friday night. He was the designer of the democratic South African flag and provincial coat-of-arms.
He designed the new South African flag, which was adopted on 27 April 1994 at the beginning of South Africa’s general election, to replace the flag that had been used since 1928.
Brownell was at the State Herald of South Africa (now known as the Bureau of Heraldry of the Department of Arts and Culture).
His design was chosen to represent the country’s new democracy after the end of apartheid.
Arts and culture minister Nathi Mthethwa said he was distraught to learn of the passing of a true South African hero whose name was etched in the history of democratic South Africa.
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“The name of Fred Brownell is synonymous with the journey taken by this fledgling democracy in the role he played in designing and producing the flag of post-democratic South Africa,” said Mthethwa in a statement.
Mthethwa said when Brownwell was asked what had inspired his design, he maintained what mattered was that the flag would find its way into the hearts and minds of the population at large and become a unifying symbol.
“The rest is history, as 25 years into post-democratic South Africa, Brownell’s vision remains: ours is a flag that has found its way into the hearts and minds of the population at large, and is truly a unifying symbol.”
Mthethwa said in August last year, the Department of Arts and Culture had also launched the ‘I am the flag’ campaign to promote nation-building and patriotism for all South African citizens.
He said it was impossible for South Africans to ignore the historical coincidence of Brownell’s death upon the completion of a successful sixth national and provincial elections – mere days after the country celebrated 25 years of independence.
“Perhaps this historical coincidence is meant to accord Brownell the final honour of his important role in the history of post-democratic South Africa, a country whose identity he partook in determining, by designing its national symbol in the form of our flag.”
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Mthethwa said government was proud to accord him the honour he deserved while he lived, with him being bestowed the order for meritorious service in 1999 by the late president Nelson Mandela for his role in the design of the South African flag.
“Brownell, you gave us our identity as the nation. We honour you,” Mthethwa said.
The country has since his death sent condolences to Bronwell’s wife Christine, his daughters, grandchildren and his family at large.
Condolences to Fred’s family and friends. What an interesting and informative thread Minister, thank you. I shared it with my 12 year old as we were driving to school this morning.
— Zodwa Pakade™ (@zeeshongwe) May 13, 2019
After 3 years of failed attempts, on the night of 25 August 1993 Fred Brownell doodled an idea on the back of a congress program based on the idea of the convergence of South Africa’s peoples into one nation. This idea is what was to become the 1st flag of democratic South Africa pic.twitter.com/k73mYU1Vbd
— Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) May 12, 2019
2 days ago, our country lost one of its greatest patriots & national heroes, former South African State Herald & the designer of our South African flag, Mr Fred Brownell. In his lifetime Fred Brownell designed many coats of arms & flags including the flag for Namibia. pic.twitter.com/MASO906Hwv
— Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) May 12, 2019
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