"This issue is of national importance. You are invited to participate in the debate whether the Malawi National Flag must be modified.
1. Introduction
Government intends to modify the National Flag of the Republic of Malawi in order to align it with the current political and democratic realities as well as the social and economic development achievements and aspirations that Malawians are experiencing and cherishing.
2. Background of Current National Flag
The current National Flag, which was adopted at the dawn of independence on 6th July 1964, comprises three equal horizontal stripes of black, red and green with a red rising sun superimposed in the centre of the black stripe. The flag embodied the national sentiments of self rule and newly found freedom at that time. The features of the current flag symbolize the following:-
(a) Black: represents the people of the continent of Africa, including Malawi;
(b) Red: represents the blood of the martyrs of African freedom;
(c) Green: represents the ever green nature of Malawi; and
(d) The Rising Sun: represents the dawn of hope and freedom for Malawi and the whole
continent of Africa.
Since 1964, the social, political and economic landscape of the country has changed. Malawi is now a multi-party state with a democratic system of government, like the majority of other African countries. The country has attained substantial levels of social and economic development. The Rising Sun, therefore, does not reflect the country's current political and democratic realities. This feature has been overtaken by new developments in Malawi and as such it is not in tandem with the liberal and open climate that Malawians are at present enjoying. The Rising Sun represents a country that is still in transition and does not reflect the entrenched freedoms and human rights that are prevailing in the country. Malawians are confidently in control of their social, political and economic affairs and are fully incharge of their destiny.
3. Rationale to Modify the National Flag
It is necessary to adopt a national flag that represents the shared values, beliefs and aspirations of a nation and that demonstrates the political, social and economic realities of a country. The flag is supposed to drive and move the national population towards common purposes and goals. It should, therefore, act as a unifying factor of citizens and display solidarity and patriotism of a nation's populace. As a symbol of a country, the flag should be regarded and accepted as a dignified entity of nationhood. In this regard some of the major features of the current National Flag which were adopted at independence, including colours, would be retained to reflect the major background of our political history and the cultural heritage of black Malawians and our inalienable right and attachment to African renaissance.
4. Notable Modifications of National Flags
The proposal by the Government of Malawi to modify the National Flag to reflect current realities does not come out of a vacuum. Similar decisions and exercises have been implemented in a number of countries in the past.
Within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Republic of Mozambique
has modified its National Flag three times since its liberation in 1974. At the time of its independence from Portugal in 1974, Mozambique adopted a flag that was designed with the influence of its former colonial power. The independence flag was changed in 1975 to assert the country's sovereignty. In 1983, Mozambique transformed its flag again after the civil war and this is the flag that is in use to this day.
The Kingdom of Lesotho has had its flag changed three times since 1966 when the country became independent from Britain. Its first flag had colours and features which coincided with those of the Basotho National Party, the party that led the country to independence. Because of the flag's political association, the Military Government which came to power in 1986 commissioned a new flag design. The military, however, relinquished power in 1993 and Lesotho went back to democratic rule. In 2006, the National Assembly of Lesotho voted for the current flag to replace the one that was imposed by the army regime in 1986. The design of the new National Flag for Lesotho was based on national egos of peace, rain and prosperity as well as the Basotho Hat, symbols that are familiar to every Mosotho. The new Lesotho Flag thus has three colours: blue for rain, white symbolising peace and green for prosperity. It also has a con-shaped hat worn by the indigenous Basotho people.
Another of our neighbouring countries, the United Republic of Tanzania, initially had an independence flag for Tanganyika in 1961. After forming a union with the Island of Zanzibar and becoming the United Republic of Tanzania in 1964, a new flag was adopted on 30th June, 1964. This significant union brought together people on the mainland and those on the Island as one people because they shared a common culture, language and similar aspirations and political history.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) also adopted a new flag on 17th May, 1997 after the country reverted to its current name, which was actually its original name at independence from Belgium in 1960. From 1971, the then President of the country, Mr. Mobutu Sese Seko, changed the name of the country to Zaire. Following Mobutu's loss of power in May, 1997, the Late President Laurent Kabila reverted the country to its old name (DRC) and changed its flag to match the features of the flag with the country's name and new ideals of the people.
Similarly, the flag of the United States of America (USA) has changed over years, as more states joined the union. The number of stars on the flag increased when more states became part of the union. Originally, the USA flag had 13 (thirteen) stars representing the original colonies. At present it has 50 stars representing all the states and 13 stripes representing the original colonies that broke away from the British Monarchy and the first states in the union.
It can be observed from the foregoing examples, therefore, that the modification or change of national flags has been done before by a number of countries in this region and the world over. It is not unique to Malawi alone. What should be noted is that where such modifications or changes have been made to the national flags, these have been necessitated by significant underlying circumstances that have justified the change. In this regard, Malawi has since 1964 undergone a lot of changes and significant transformation has been experienced since 1994 when a multi-party democratic dispensation was embraced. We have experienced unprecedented social, political and economic regeneration in Malawi. Malawians are able to freely express their opinions in a free atmosphere. There is no forced indoctrination of the people to a particular philosophy and ideals. Malawi, as a country, has opened up to the international community and is part and parcel of the global village. Malawians are forward looking and enterprising and are no longer inward looking, nor conservative. It is these newly acquired values and aspirations that Malawians have that justify the need to modify the National Flag to reflect the obtaining reality in the country,
5. Features of the Modified National Flag
The Government, therefore, proposes that the current National Flag be modified as follows:-
(a) A White Full Sun should replace the Rising Sun that appears on the black stripe of
the current flag;
(b) The red stripe should appear at the top, the black stripe should be in the middle and the green stripe should remain at the bottom;
(c) The White Full Sun should be superimposed at the centre of the black stripe of the
flag;
(d) The White Full Sun should be encircled and surrounded by white sunrays that are not
attached to the sun; and
(e) The sunrays should spread to all the three stripes of the flag.
6. Meaning of the Features of the Modified National Flag
Government is convinced that the White Full Sun on the National Flag would accurately reflect the current realities and aspirations of the Malawi nation. It would demonstrate liberties that individuals are enjoying in Malawi and how open and dynamic our society has become. The preserved Black Stripe would not only continue to represent the people of Malawi and the continent of Africa but would also reflect a shared consciousness of the black people of Africa and Malawi to determine their own affairs and development needs. The White Full Sun on the Black Stripe would, therefore, rightly depict black Malawians as shining stars. It would symbolize that Malawians, like other Africans, are determined people that have high expectations and ready to face and overcome any challenges.
The white colour of the Full Sun would demonstrate friendliness of Malawians, the peace that prevails in Malawi and the prosperity that Malawians are currently enjoying. The Full Sun would also epitomise Malawi as a country of achievers and people who are determined to be self reliant. In this regard, the Full Sun would represent the attainment of total liberty, peace and the promise of prosperity for all Malawians and Africans.
7. Request for Public Views on the Features of the Modified Flag
The Government, therefore, would like to solicit views and comments from all Malawians on whether:-
1. The National Flag should be modified and redesigned by adopting a White Full Sun
to replace the Rising Sun;
2. The red stripe should be at the top of the flag and the black stripe in the middle, while the green stripe should remain at the bottom;
3. The White Full Sun should be superimposed at the centre of the black stripe with
white sunrays spread to the other stripes; and
4. The White Full Sun should represent total liberty and the promise of prosperity for all Malawians and demonstrate the prevailing peace and achievements that Malawians
have made.
The current National flag and the proposed modified flag are presented below:-
Current National Flag
Proposed modified Flag
The public is invited to submit written and objective views and comments to the address below by 31st JANUARY 2010 to:
Jeffrey Kanyinji
Secretary for Information and Civic Education
Private Bag 310
Lilongwe
Fax: 01 774 558
Email: principal.secretary@information.gov.mw"
1. Introduction
Government intends to modify the National Flag of the Republic of Malawi in order to align it with the current political and democratic realities as well as the social and economic development achievements and aspirations that Malawians are experiencing and cherishing.
2. Background of Current National Flag
The current National Flag, which was adopted at the dawn of independence on 6th July 1964, comprises three equal horizontal stripes of black, red and green with a red rising sun superimposed in the centre of the black stripe. The flag embodied the national sentiments of self rule and newly found freedom at that time. The features of the current flag symbolize the following:-
(a) Black: represents the people of the continent of Africa, including Malawi;
(b) Red: represents the blood of the martyrs of African freedom;
(c) Green: represents the ever green nature of Malawi; and
(d) The Rising Sun: represents the dawn of hope and freedom for Malawi and the whole
continent of Africa.
Since 1964, the social, political and economic landscape of the country has changed. Malawi is now a multi-party state with a democratic system of government, like the majority of other African countries. The country has attained substantial levels of social and economic development. The Rising Sun, therefore, does not reflect the country's current political and democratic realities. This feature has been overtaken by new developments in Malawi and as such it is not in tandem with the liberal and open climate that Malawians are at present enjoying. The Rising Sun represents a country that is still in transition and does not reflect the entrenched freedoms and human rights that are prevailing in the country. Malawians are confidently in control of their social, political and economic affairs and are fully incharge of their destiny.
3. Rationale to Modify the National Flag
It is necessary to adopt a national flag that represents the shared values, beliefs and aspirations of a nation and that demonstrates the political, social and economic realities of a country. The flag is supposed to drive and move the national population towards common purposes and goals. It should, therefore, act as a unifying factor of citizens and display solidarity and patriotism of a nation's populace. As a symbol of a country, the flag should be regarded and accepted as a dignified entity of nationhood. In this regard some of the major features of the current National Flag which were adopted at independence, including colours, would be retained to reflect the major background of our political history and the cultural heritage of black Malawians and our inalienable right and attachment to African renaissance.
4. Notable Modifications of National Flags
The proposal by the Government of Malawi to modify the National Flag to reflect current realities does not come out of a vacuum. Similar decisions and exercises have been implemented in a number of countries in the past.
Within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Republic of Mozambique
has modified its National Flag three times since its liberation in 1974. At the time of its independence from Portugal in 1974, Mozambique adopted a flag that was designed with the influence of its former colonial power. The independence flag was changed in 1975 to assert the country's sovereignty. In 1983, Mozambique transformed its flag again after the civil war and this is the flag that is in use to this day.
The Kingdom of Lesotho has had its flag changed three times since 1966 when the country became independent from Britain. Its first flag had colours and features which coincided with those of the Basotho National Party, the party that led the country to independence. Because of the flag's political association, the Military Government which came to power in 1986 commissioned a new flag design. The military, however, relinquished power in 1993 and Lesotho went back to democratic rule. In 2006, the National Assembly of Lesotho voted for the current flag to replace the one that was imposed by the army regime in 1986. The design of the new National Flag for Lesotho was based on national egos of peace, rain and prosperity as well as the Basotho Hat, symbols that are familiar to every Mosotho. The new Lesotho Flag thus has three colours: blue for rain, white symbolising peace and green for prosperity. It also has a con-shaped hat worn by the indigenous Basotho people.
Another of our neighbouring countries, the United Republic of Tanzania, initially had an independence flag for Tanganyika in 1961. After forming a union with the Island of Zanzibar and becoming the United Republic of Tanzania in 1964, a new flag was adopted on 30th June, 1964. This significant union brought together people on the mainland and those on the Island as one people because they shared a common culture, language and similar aspirations and political history.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) also adopted a new flag on 17th May, 1997 after the country reverted to its current name, which was actually its original name at independence from Belgium in 1960. From 1971, the then President of the country, Mr. Mobutu Sese Seko, changed the name of the country to Zaire. Following Mobutu's loss of power in May, 1997, the Late President Laurent Kabila reverted the country to its old name (DRC) and changed its flag to match the features of the flag with the country's name and new ideals of the people.
Similarly, the flag of the United States of America (USA) has changed over years, as more states joined the union. The number of stars on the flag increased when more states became part of the union. Originally, the USA flag had 13 (thirteen) stars representing the original colonies. At present it has 50 stars representing all the states and 13 stripes representing the original colonies that broke away from the British Monarchy and the first states in the union.
It can be observed from the foregoing examples, therefore, that the modification or change of national flags has been done before by a number of countries in this region and the world over. It is not unique to Malawi alone. What should be noted is that where such modifications or changes have been made to the national flags, these have been necessitated by significant underlying circumstances that have justified the change. In this regard, Malawi has since 1964 undergone a lot of changes and significant transformation has been experienced since 1994 when a multi-party democratic dispensation was embraced. We have experienced unprecedented social, political and economic regeneration in Malawi. Malawians are able to freely express their opinions in a free atmosphere. There is no forced indoctrination of the people to a particular philosophy and ideals. Malawi, as a country, has opened up to the international community and is part and parcel of the global village. Malawians are forward looking and enterprising and are no longer inward looking, nor conservative. It is these newly acquired values and aspirations that Malawians have that justify the need to modify the National Flag to reflect the obtaining reality in the country,
5. Features of the Modified National Flag
The Government, therefore, proposes that the current National Flag be modified as follows:-
(a) A White Full Sun should replace the Rising Sun that appears on the black stripe of
the current flag;
(b) The red stripe should appear at the top, the black stripe should be in the middle and the green stripe should remain at the bottom;
(c) The White Full Sun should be superimposed at the centre of the black stripe of the
flag;
(d) The White Full Sun should be encircled and surrounded by white sunrays that are not
attached to the sun; and
(e) The sunrays should spread to all the three stripes of the flag.
6. Meaning of the Features of the Modified National Flag
Government is convinced that the White Full Sun on the National Flag would accurately reflect the current realities and aspirations of the Malawi nation. It would demonstrate liberties that individuals are enjoying in Malawi and how open and dynamic our society has become. The preserved Black Stripe would not only continue to represent the people of Malawi and the continent of Africa but would also reflect a shared consciousness of the black people of Africa and Malawi to determine their own affairs and development needs. The White Full Sun on the Black Stripe would, therefore, rightly depict black Malawians as shining stars. It would symbolize that Malawians, like other Africans, are determined people that have high expectations and ready to face and overcome any challenges.
The white colour of the Full Sun would demonstrate friendliness of Malawians, the peace that prevails in Malawi and the prosperity that Malawians are currently enjoying. The Full Sun would also epitomise Malawi as a country of achievers and people who are determined to be self reliant. In this regard, the Full Sun would represent the attainment of total liberty, peace and the promise of prosperity for all Malawians and Africans.
7. Request for Public Views on the Features of the Modified Flag
The Government, therefore, would like to solicit views and comments from all Malawians on whether:-
1. The National Flag should be modified and redesigned by adopting a White Full Sun
to replace the Rising Sun;
2. The red stripe should be at the top of the flag and the black stripe in the middle, while the green stripe should remain at the bottom;
3. The White Full Sun should be superimposed at the centre of the black stripe with
white sunrays spread to the other stripes; and
4. The White Full Sun should represent total liberty and the promise of prosperity for all Malawians and demonstrate the prevailing peace and achievements that Malawians
have made.
The current National flag and the proposed modified flag are presented below:-
Current National Flag
Proposed modified Flag
The public is invited to submit written and objective views and comments to the address below by 31st JANUARY 2010 to:
Jeffrey Kanyinji
Secretary for Information and Civic Education
Private Bag 310
Lilongwe
Fax: 01 774 558
Email: principal.secretary@information.gov.mw"