Last modified: 2004-02-14 by bruce berry
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The first flag of sovereignty flown in what is now Zimbabwe was the British Union Flag (Union Jack) raised at Fort Salisbury on 13 September 1890, which marked the beginning of prolonged British influence in the region. Instrumental in bringing European pioneers to the area was the 19th century British imperialist and financier, Cecil John Rhodes, whose British South African Company (BSAC) was later given prospecting and mining rights by the Matabele king, Lobengula. The Company's own flag had not been received from England when the Pioneer Column set out from South Africa, so a Union Jack was carried instead, the first company flag only arriving in Fort Salisbury in 1892.
The flag of the BSAC was raised in the Matabele capital of Bulawayo
on 4 November 1893 after the Company's forces led by Major Patrick Forbes
drove the native Ndebele from the town. The flag consisted of a Union Jack
emblazoned with the BSAC badge in the centre.
Bruce Berry, 18 June 1998
by Steven Shea and Mark Sensen
Southern Rhodesia became a self-governing colony with responsible Government
in 1923, thereby relinquishing the BSAC of its administrative responsibilites. What this meant was that there was a local parliament although
some powers (notably relating to African political advancement) was retained
by London. The territory was ruled via the
Dominions Office (and NOT the Colonial Office) although strictly speaking
the country was not a Dominion (like Canada, Australia, South Africa etc.).
This was a unique case.
Bruce Berry, 20 Nov 1995
According to Bruce Berry's excellent account,
"Flying in the Winds
of Change, in The Flag Bulletin No. 163, March-April 1995,
the status and usage of Southern Rhodesian flags from 1924-1937 was a bit
of a mess, to say the least! But it appears that Southern Rhodesia, when
it used the blue ensign at all, used the shield of the territory without
the white ring behind it, unlike other colonies. (For reasons which I'll
be outlining, Rhodesia was a constitutional anomaly; neither dominion nor
true colony). The two contemporary images I have are flatly contradictory - one
dated 1940 implies the circle, the other (c1937) doesn't.
Stuart Notholt, 11 Feb 1996
This is true, there was confusion surrounding the flag of Southern Rhodesia
after the adoption of Responsible Government in 1923. When the organiser
of the British Empire exhibition wrote to the Rhodesian High Commission
in London in May 1925, on the question of the flag for the colony, this
caused some consternation. The High Commission did not know what flag to
use; on the advice of the Colonial Office, it recommended that the Blue
Ensign with arms (or flag badge) in the fly be used, adding that the Governor
had indicated that the government had approved the shield only as the flag
badge. In March 1928 the Rhodesian High Commission wrote to the Colonial
Office in Salisbury asking what the flag of the colony was, adding that
they used the "Blue and Red ensigns with the Arms of the Colony in a circle"
at the HC in London and at some exhibitions.
The reply a month later stated that the Union Jack was the flag of
Southern Rhodesia and that the use of the flag badge on the Union Jack
or of both the Red and Blue Ensigns "would not be in order for the purpose
mentioned in your letter". Between 1933 and 1934 correspondence between
London and Salisbury described the colony's flag as being the Union Jack
with the colony's badge in the centre of the fly, while another letter
noted that no official authority had been given for the use of such a flag,
normally reserved for use at sea. In brief, there was no official flag
for Southern Rhodesian during this period.
The impending coronation of King George VI in 1937 brought matters
to a head as the Rhodesian prime minister wanted a flag to represent the
colony at the coronation. Through correspondence with the High Commission
and the Dominions Office, it emerged that the most appropriate flag would
be a Blue Ensign with the badge of Southern Rhodesia emblazoned in the
fly, although the High Commissioner was of the opinion that the Union Jack
remained the official flag of the colony and that the new flag had been
adopted only for use outside the colony only. Thus the flag for Southern Rhodesia
was finally established as being a Blue Ensign with the colonial shield
in the fly. The Union Jack nevertheless continued to be flown INSIDE the
colony, alongside subsequent Rhodesian flags, until 11 November 1968.
Not only the basic form of the colonial flag, but its exact details
were confused in the era of its use. The Admiralty amended the 1915 edition
of its Flags of All Nations by issuing, as part of Errata 8, a coloured
sheet dated May 1926 which showed the flag badge as having the full achievement
of the Southern Rhodesia arms. In April 1927 a correction was made, clearly
establishing that the shield only was the appropriate flag badge. In both
sheets the text indicated that this emblem appeared on a white disk when
on the Union Jack, but WITHOUT a disk on the Blue Ensign. Nevertheless
a Rhodesian Government publication illustrated the ensign with a disk behind
the shield (see below).
Various sources refer to a Southern Rhodesian Red Ensign bearing the
shield (without disk), although Southern Rhodesia's lack of a coastline
suggests that such a flag would have been unnecessary even if - as appears
not to have been the case - it had official sanction. Red Ensigns were
displayed during the 1947 Royal Visit and the local Salisbury newspaper
commented, "This is a variety which we have not met previously and which
appear to owe its origin neither to official sanction nor custom, but to
an enterprising manufacturer's idea of what our flag should be".
The issue of a flag for Southern Rhodesia was resolved once the territory
became part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and a new flag
adopted on 7 September 1953.
So in short - dark blue Southern Rhodesia Ensigns are known to have
had the colony's shield both on a white disk and without the disk. Official
proportions would have followed the British pattern of 1:2.
Bruce Berry, 16 Feb 1998
by Herman De Wael
I have in my collection a flag with the arms in white circle. In articles
on the subject of Rhodesian flags by Michael Faul and Bruce Berry, and
in Richard Allport's book on the subject recently published as the SAVA
Journal, it is stated that, while officially there should have been no
white circle, in fact there were versions in existence both with and without
the circle. My flag was made by Annin & Co., and measures 4x6 feet (2:3 proportions).
It is marked on the heading "Rhodesia".
I have a vague recollection that at the 1976 Motreal
Olympics, the Rhodesians were allowed to compete, but under
the old colonial flag, rather than their green and white national flag.
Could these flags have been made up with the white circle? That would explain
the marking 'Rhodesia' rather than 'Southern Rhodesia' on my flag.
Devereaux Cannon, 15 February 1998
The printers, who published the Admiralty Flag Book and its amendments,
appear to have been unsure of the correct badge for the defaced Union Flag
and Blue Ensign that were authorised for Southern Rhodesia in the mid-1920s.
A 1925 amendment to the 1916 edition of the Admiralty Flag Book included
a new page for Southern Rhodesia. The badge illustrated was the shield
from the Arms of 11th August 1924, with a note that the white circle, on
which it was drawn, was to appear on the Union Flag, but not on the Blue
Ensign. The authority was N.L.1655/25, which I think is the reference number
of the letter from Naval Law authorising the amendment for distribution.
A May 1926 amendment, which was in a slightly different format to all the
other amendments, changed the badge for the flags from the shield, to the
complete Coat of Arms. Another amendment dated April 1927 changed the badge
back to just the shield, quoting the original authority N.L.1655/25.
David Prothero, 18 June 1999
by Steven Shea, 13 Mar 1996 and Mark Sensen 4 Dec 1997After the breakup of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (when Southern Rhodesia joined the British protectorates of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland between 1953 - 1963) Northern Rhodesia became the independent republic of Zambia and Nyasaland became Malawi under African leadership during 1964. Rhodesia (having dropped the "Southern") wanted independence on the same lines but the British Government refused on the basis that not enough was being done regarding the political advancement of the African population.
After the demise of the Federation, the question of a distinctive
flag for (Southern) Rhodesia again arose and in April 1964 the then Prime
Minister, Mr Winston Field, stated in parliament that the new flag of the colony
would be "an Ensign with a sky blue background (the same colour as appears
on the Air Force flag) with the Union Jack in the top left-hand corner and the
Southern Rhodesia badge in the fly". The main motivation for adopting
the light blue background, as opposed to the traditional dark blue, was that it
was felt that a clear break had to be made from the situation before and during
the Federal period, which most white Rhodesians felt very emotional about,
particularly their perceived poor treatment by the British government during the
dissolution of the Federation..
Bruce Berry, 20 Nov 1995, 14 March 1996
The Rhodesian national flag from 8 April 1964 until 11 November 1968,
was in the style of a British ensign with the Rhodesian badge in the fly.
Rather than the dark blue ensign commonly used by Commonwealth countries
or British colonies, such as those used by Autralia or Hong Kong, the field
of the Rhodesian flag was light blue or sky blue, similar to that used
on the Royal Air Force ensign or the flag of Fiji or Tuvalu.
Devereaux Cannon, 13 Jan 1998
by Bruce Berry
After the dissolution of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland on 31 December 1963, subsequent (Southern) Rhodesian governments continued to negotiate with the British Government on the subject of independence, with the Rhodesian arguing that they should receive independence on the same basis as had been granted to the other Federation teritories, Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia. However, neither side was willing to compromise on the subject of African majority rule and consequently the white minority government of Ian Smith declared a Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) on 11 November 1965. This was not recognised by any other country (incl. South Africa by the way!) and the following year Britain went to the UN and had mandatory sanctions imposed on the breakaway "rebel" colony. South Africa and Portugal (prior to 1975) did not comply with the UN embargo.
The light blue ensign (see above) continued to be used for three years after UDI until it became apparent that the political deadlock would not be quickly resolved. To signify the severing of its colonial links Rhodesia adopted a new flag on 11 November 1968 - being green, white and green with the national Coat of Arms (adopted by Royal Warrant on 11 August 1924) in the centre of the white stripe. The flag followed the traditonal British proportions of 1:2.
Rhodesia declared herself a republic on 2 March 1970, an act again not recognised by the UK which maintained it "legally" had control although de facto this was not the case.
The Rhodesian flag was in use until 01 September 1979 when it was replaced by
the flag of Zimbabwe Rhodesia.
Bruce Berry, 20 Nov 1995, 14 Mar 1996
by Bruce Berry, 20 Nov 1995African opposition to UDI and the white regime manifested itself through
an increasing guerilla struggle waged from initially Zambia and then also
from Mozambique. In 1978 the Rhodesian Government reached a compromise
with "internal" African leaders resulting in first time universal suffrage
elections in February 1979. This led to the establishment of a black led
government under Bishop Abel Muzorewa and the formation of Zimbabwe Rhodesia
on 01 June 1979. As the external guerilla leaders were not accommodated
the new state was not recognised (although Margaret Thatcher did attempt to
secure recognition at the Commonwealth heads of Govt. meeting in Lusaka)
and UN sanctions were maintained and the guerilla struggle continued. A new
flag to reflect the changing political dispensation was hoisted on 2 September
1979. This flag has a vertical black stripe, with white fimbriation, at
the hoist, with three horizontal stripes of red, white and green in the
fly. A yellow Zimbabwe Bird is in the black stripe in the canton.
The flag of Zimbabwe Rhodesia was designed by Flight Lieutenant Cedric Herbert
of the Rhodesian Air Force and a member of the Rhodesian Heraldry and Genealogy
Society. The design incorporates the pan-African colours of yellow, black,
green and red with the following explanation:
Black symbolises the achievement of majority rule in the country, red is for the
struggle for independence, yellow represents the mineral wealth and green the
agricultural and natural resources of the country. The vertical white
stripe represents the white community while the central horizontal white stripe
represents peace.
Officially this flag was short-lived as it was replaced in
December 1979 by the Union Jack when Zimbabwe Rhodesia once again came a British
colony, this time with direct-rule under a British Governor, following the
Lancaster House agreement. While de jure the Union Jack was the
flag of the "colony", de facto the Zimbabwe Rhodesian flag
continued to fly until the new flag of Zimbabwe was adopted at independence on
18 April 1980.
Bruce Berry, 20 Nov 1995, 14 Mar 1996
by Bruce Berry, 20 Nov 1995
The Zimbabwe Rhodesia government entered into negotiations with the external nationalists at Lancaster House held under the auspices of the British Government. This resulted in a ceasefire and the arrival of a British Governor (Lord Soames) on 12 December 1979. In terms of the Lancaster House Agreement, Rhodesia reverted back to being a British Colony under direct control from London. UN sanctions were lifted and legality was restored. The Union Jack was also reinstated, although in practise the Zimbbawe Rhodesian flag continued to fly. Under the supervision of the Commonwealth, further elections were held which resulted in victory for (the externally based guerilla nationalist) Robert Mugabe. On 18 April 1980 the new sovereign independent republic of Zimbabwe was born and the current Zimbabwe flag was adopted.
As the Union Jack had become the official the flag of the "colony" in December 1979,
it was thus the Union Jack that was lowered at the Independence
ceremony and not any of the other Rhodesian flags. (see my article
in The Flag Bulletin No. XXIV:2/163 - March-April 1995).
Bruce Berry, 20 Nov 1995, 14 Mar 1996
This practice was followed in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. After the dissolution of the federation, Rhodesia continued the practice
with the Union Jack and the light blue Rhodesian flag, but ceased doing so
with the adoption of the new green and white national flag on 11 November
1968.
Devereaux Cannon, 10 January 1998
The only oddity about this situation was that it continued so late,
since in the early days all British dominions flew the Union Jack (as the primary flag) and the local flag, often side by side.
(I use the word “dominion” here in the pre-First World War sense, meaning a possession of the British Crown, as opposed to a self-governing
member of the Empire, which was the definition that came into use in the 1920s, and more particularly in
the ’30s following the Statute of Westminster, which made the Dominions [capital D] independent states.) See
for instance South
Africa 1910-1928.
Mike Oettle, 22 May 2002
The impression I have is that it was done, to a greater or lesser extent,
only in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, (Southern) Rhodesia and the Union of
South Africa.
David Prothero, 23 May 2002
In the Rhodesian case, one of the reasons as to why this came into being was due to the confusion
in the 1930s over what was considered to be the Southern Rhodesia flag (see
above).
When the Admiralty granted permission for a Southern Rhodesian dark blue
ensign in 1937, this was specifically stated as being for use OUTSIDE the
country only while the Union Jack remained the official flag of the colony
and thus flew within the country. With the advent of the Federation in
1953, it must be remembered that the UK Government was an official participating
entity in the Federal government structure (along with the Governments
of Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia, Nyasaland and the Federal Government
- a unique, if somewhat clumsy, 5 administration arrangement), hence the
Union Jack remained an "official" flag along with the Federal flag. Following
the dissolution of the Federation at the end of 1963, the participating
territories reverted back to their individual "colonial" status and Southern
Rhodesia continued with the dual flag arrangement until after UDI in 1965.
This "rebellion against the crown" saw the adoption of a new flag on 11
November 1968 and the dropping of the Union Jack as an official flag of the
country.
Bruce Berry, 23 May 2002
![[fancy Rhodesia flag]](../images/z/zw!rh.jpg)
sent by Olivier Touzeau, 15 Oct 2002
From a series of Cigarette Silks Iron-on Transfers, the subject of which
is: Nation Animals & Flags, the fancyful flag of Rhodesia.
(source this
site)
Olivier Touzeau, 15 Oct 2002
The flag shown for Rhodesia is interesting. It is likely to be a fantasy,
like many of the others, but perhaps Bruce Berry could give us some indication.
It's unlikely that the British South Africa Company
would have used a plain red flag with a roundel in the centre, but the
arms in the roundel do resemble (vaguely) those of the BSA Co. However,
the BSAC's chief flag was a Union Jack defaced with its arms.
Mike Oettle, 15 Oct 2002