Amandla flag

This flag was made for anti-Springbok Rugby Tour protests in Wellington, and several examples can be seen on the Day of Shame street march which took place on 12 September 1981 to coincide with the last test of the tour held in Auckland.

Organisers of the march intended the protest to attract the widest attendance possible, and invited families to bring their children. The vivid red flags flying in the Wellington wind were considered a great success. The colour and tactile qualities of the flags – with their softness and constant movement – helped generate a non-threatening environment.

Amandla!

Amandla is a Xhosa and Zulu word meaning power. Protestors would call out 'Amandla' and others would respond with 'Ngawethu' ('to us') meaning 'the power is ours'. The upraised clenched fist symbolises solidarity and support and was a key symbol of the black South African liberation movement.

The protests were about something much deeper than rugby; people were taking a stand against apartheid in South Africa and racism in New Zealand.

Design

The flag was designed by Chris McBride and Dave Kent (the fist was Kent's and was designed by him), and made at the Wellington Media Collective (1978-98).

The Collective began as a volunteer organisation in 1978 and shared skills in design, photography, screen printing and offset printing with community organisations, trade unions, individuals, activist groups (Māori, tauiwi, feminist, unemployed), actors/theatres, musicians and artists.