All active schools across the country are due to be equipped with national flags as part of an ongoing initiative. Pioneered by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), The Flag in Every School Project forms part of a campaign to promote national identity and nation-building in the country.
The objective of DSAC, according to the National Council of Provinces, is to promote national symbols in the nation's schools. The initiative was launched in 2007 and since then, more than 25 241 flags and flagpoles have been erected in schools throughout the country.
However the NCOP constituents also pointed out that the project has not been without any challenges. These include annual damage to the flag cloth caused by exposure to variations of weather conditions. The damage worsens over the course of 24 months and often needs to be repaired.
DSAC now aims to provide 100 schools with new flags each year. The replacement of the flag cloth is one of the primary necessities of schools. However, theft has also been cited as a major issue in metropolitan and peri-urban regions, especially when there is a high rate of recycling for steel and aluminium.
To ensure that the flags are distributed consistently, DSAC is entering into agreements with Provincial Departments of Education (DoE). 33 flags were distributed through the Young Patriots programme in the first quarter. The Young Patriots Programme partnership in several provinces will allow DSAC to reach more schools than originally anticipated for 2022–2023.
Additionally, the flag material is strong and SABS-approved. The cloth costs between R250 and R300 per flag and lasts for around 24 months. As a result, schools can manage these expenses. Some schools successfully raise and maintain the flags.
The department added that schools bear the most of the responsibility in this regard. To make sure that schools do not depend on DSAC to maintain the flags, the DSAC is now collaborating with the Department of Basic Education.
