Old Andrean honoured. Fred Brownell, designer of the South African flag and Old Andrean, honoured by his Alma Mater – St Andrew’s School, Bloemfontein.
To mark the 30th Anniversary of our democracy and the raising of the South African flag for the first time over the Union Buildings on 27 April 1994, St Andrew’s is paying tribute to FREDERICK GORDON BROWNELL, an Old Andrean and designer of the iconic flag that unified post-apartheid South Africa. The Celebration Service will take place at the St Andrew’s Chapel on 24 April, prior to Freedom Day on 27th April. Two of Mr Brownell’s’ daughters, Heather and Susan will be in
attaendance.
Farmer’s son
Fred Brownell was a farmer’s son from Bethlehem and was a boarder at St. Andrew’s from 1950 till 1957. He was a prefect in the Walter Carey library and excelled as a marksman in the school’s musketry team. Mr Brownell also represented the Free State Command at the annual Bisley competition earning provincial colours in addition to his Full Colours.
He graduated from Rhodes University and completed post-graduate studies at the University of South Africa. In 2015 he received a PhD from the University of Pretoria for a thesis titled “Convergence and Unification: The national flag of South Africa (1994) in historical perspective.” During 1982 he became the State Herald. In this position he supervised the design of many symbols, shields, and coats-of-arms. He has a unique claim to fame – he was involved in creating two symbols of
freedom on the African continent: the Namibian and the South African flags. “Three words describe the national flag: convergence and unification.”
Switzerland
In 1993 he was attending a meeting of flag researchers in Switzerland. At the time there was much activity in South Africa about designing a new flag for the country. He pondered a design and envisaged two streams meeting to become a river. He recalled attending chapel services and remembered the school chaplain, robed in his chasuble, and the classic “V” forming a convergence which formed the basis of a new national flag. Fred sketched these ideas on the back of the meeting programme which was to become the six-colour national flag. Fred Brownell’s name is etched in the history of South Africa. As a herald vexillologist, and genealogist he played an important role in bringing South Africans together. He also received the Order for Meritorious Service from Nelson Mandela, the Vexillon Award of the International Federation of Vexillological Associations, and the Fiat Lux Award from his Alma Mater. Following his death on 10 May 2019 he was lauded for designing the most cohesive symbol in the country which has been embraced as a symbol of the people.
Mr Roland Rudd
Mr Roland Rudd, headmaster of St Andrew’s school shared the significance of Freedom Day, “Freedom Day needs to remind us that there is still much to do. We cannot rest on our laurels. Much is expected of us in building our country. Remember, most children at school, along with some educators, were not born 30 years ago. Whilst we are now a free and democratic society – it is difficult to explain the disparities that still exist. How can one explain away, children and families living in shacks, unemployment, lack of pay, pit toilets, crime etc to someone now? There is no doubt in my mind, apartheid set the country on a trajectory that will take generations to correct”.
Frederick Brownell’s legacy will live on in the flying of South Africa’s national flag.
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