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Free State Province, South Africa

Free state - description
Coat of Arms of the Free State
Local Flag descriptions

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Free State

In central eastern South Africa, coincides with the old province of Orange Free State. Borders Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, North-West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho.
Includes the former homeland of Qwaqwa.
Antonio Martins, 30 May 1999

The province has (following the re-absorption of Qwaqwa and Thaba Nchu) the same area that its predecessors had in 1910 and in 1890. Incidentally, Thaba Nchu is now part of the Mangaung Municipality which includes Bloemfontein.
Mike Oettle, 19 Dec 2001

In addition to Qwaqwa, there was a portion of Bophuthatswana at Thaba Nchu - about 50km east of Bloemfontein.
Bruce Berry, 31 May 1999

Up to September 1995 none of the 9 new South African provinces have adopted their own flags although one or two have proposals in this regard. There is currently a debate in this country as to wether the provinces should have their own flags or not with the ANC holding the view that the provinces should not have individual flags.
Orange Free State is now simply called Free State
Bruce Berry, September 1995

Coat of Arms of the Free State

image from this site, reported by JJ Andersson, 5 May 2002

ARMS: Per chevron inverted, Or and Vert, the head of an Orange River Lily (Crinum bulbispermum) with three blossoms and four buds slipped proper and a chief dancetty, the peaks terminating in merlons, Azure; the shield ensigned of a circlet Or, embellished with representations of cut diamonds Argent, enamelled Azure against the upper and Vert against the lower facets, heightened of four heads of maize Argent, leaved Or, alternating with as many ears of wheat of the last.
SUPPORTERS: Two cheetahs proper.
SPECIAL COMPARTMENT: A representation of the Free State plains proper.
MOTTO: KATLEHO KA KOPANO.
Registered with the South African Bureau of Heraldry on 7 May 1999.
JJ Andersson, 5 May 2002

Local Flag descriptions

Bloemfontein municipality: flag registered with the South African Bureau of Heraldry on 16 June 1972 with the following description:
Azure, two cornucopias confronte Or, the dexter diffusing flowers, the sinister water, proper.

Bethlehem municipality: flag registered with the South African Bureau of Heraldry on 11 Oct 1974 with the following description:
Three horizontal stripes, blue,yellow, red, in the centre the shield of the arms of Bethlehem (to wit: "Party per chevron Azure and Gules, a chevron Or, in chief between two Springboks couped at the neck respecting each other, proper, a mullet of the third, and in base three maize cobs, the outer o