Amid so much furor, few South Africans had time to dissect and rationalize their new flag. Basically it is a horizontal tricolor, reading from top to bottom orange, white and blue.

In a separate statement, President Cyril Ramaphosa labelled it “desperate and inciteful”, adding it undermines the principles of democracy and unity in South Africa and the preservation of tolerance ...

South Africa has until Oct. 13 to pass the required amendments, or they may no longer be able to compete under the country’s flag at events, including the on-going rugby and cricket World Cups.