National Flag of the Republic of Namibia (1990)

Formerly known as South West Africa and controlled by South Africa, initially under a League of Nations mandate granted in 1920.

Namibia gained independence as the Republic of Namibia by way of a United Nations negotiated agreement and adopted its current national flag on the 21st of March 1990.

The flag includes the colours (blue-white-green) of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), the nationalist organisation that led the campaign for the country’s freedom and whose leader became the first president of an independent Namibia.

The Symbolic Meaning

The sun represents life and energy.

Blue symbolises the sky, the Atlantic Ocean, which washes against the shores of Namibia and the importance of life giving water. 

Red represents the bravery of the Namibian people and their striving to build a prosperous future. 

Green symbolises Namibia’s agriculture and natural resources. White connotes peace and unity and yellow represents the plains of Namibia and the Namib Desert.