South Africa
Fred Brownell, the man credited with designing South Africa’s post-apartheid flag, has died at the age of 79 at his home in Pretoria late last week.
South Africa’s Arts and Culture Minister, Nathi Mthethwa, described Brownell as one of the country’s “greatest patriots and national hero. “In his lifetime Fred Brownell designed many coats of arms & flags including the flag for Namibia,” the Minister added.
The South African flag he designed 25 years ago, symbolizes the convergence of different cultures into one unified country. The country was just transiting from the apartheid-era when Mandela had been released from jail.
The flag was adopted on April 27 1994 at the beginning of the first post-apartheid elections. It replaced the flag that had been used since 1928.
A press statement by the Minister said he was “distraught to learn of the passing of a true South African hero whose named is etched in the history of post-democratic South Africa.”
The statement added in part: “The name “Fred Brownell” is the one that 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.”
PRESS STATEMENT:
— Arts & Culture (ArtsCultureSA) May 12, 2019ArtsCultureSA
Minister NathiMthethwaSA 's Statement On The Passing Of the Patriot Who Designed The National Flag- Mr Fred Brownell.SAgovnews
#IAmTheFlag ?? pic.twitter.com/7msqS0ZoyY
South Africans celebrated Brownell’s achievement on social media by sending condolence tweets.
“We will always cherish you through your wonderful creation & you will be forever celebrated whenever South Africa & South Africans do well,” one Twitter user wrote.
Below are some tweets on the passing of Fred Brownell
Fred Brownell, who designed South Africa's post-apartheid flag, has died at the age of 79. The flag symbolizes the convergence of different cultures into one unified country. He also designed the flag of Namibia. South Africa's arts minister has hailed him as a “true hero.” pic.twitter.com/iq56xWxFHh
— Geoffrey York (@geoffreyyork) May 12, 2019
Rest in eternal glory Dr. Fred Brownell! You branded a new, winning nation, & you gifted us a bright & vibrant new beginning.
— MR SSL (@Mr_Sisulu) May 12, 2019
We will always cherish you through your wonderful creation & you will be forever celebrated whenever South Africa & South Africans do well. pic.twitter.com/sHDU9FnbIL
Fred Brownell submitted his design to Roelf Meyer, the government’s Chief Negotiator who took it to his then
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) May 12, 2019MYANC
counterpart & the now current president, President CyrilRamaphosa who then consulted late President uTata Madiba for his approval of the flag. pic.twitter.com/DD2ZRrLwfL
Rest in peace Fred Brownell, the designer of the South African national flag, who sadly passed away at his home in Pretoria on Friday evening at the age of 79. Condolences to his family and loved ones. ???❤ ?: Waldo Swiegers pic.twitter.com/lEgk4BTQ63
— Ulrich Janse van Vuuren (@UlrichJvV) May 12, 2019
Fred Brownell, who designed South Africa's post-apartheid flag, has died at the age of 79. The flag symbolizes the convergence of different cultures into one unified country. He also designed the flag of Namibia. South Africa's arts minister has hailed him as a “true hero.” pic.twitter.com/iq56xWxFHh
— Geoffrey York (@geoffreyyork) May 12, 2019
02:20
Welket Bungué’s ‘Cacheu Cuntum’ Honours the History of Guinea-Bissau
03:26
Long recovery and dying doctors: How Africa is battling coronavirus
01:00
The UN Appoints New Emissaries from Guinea and South Africa
02:35
New film shows Martin Luther King JR was target of FBI spying, blackmail
01:23
South Africa to receive 1m COVID vaccines in Jan. Will it work against new variant?
Go to video
South Africa condemns European beachgoers for defying lockdown