1968 -79 OLD RHODESIA FLAG (ZIMBABWE) RHODESIAN COAT OF ARMS

3x5 Ft (92 x 152cm)

NEW, REPRODUCED FLAG

Following the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) on 11 November 1965, the Rhodesian flag was retained, but three years later on the anniversary of UDI it was replaced by a green and white flag (similar to that of Nigeria) with the full coat of arms in the centre.

On 2 March 1970, the country declared itself a republic but there was no change to the flag.

Prior to its closure, the Rhodesian mission in London flew the newly adopted flag in a provocative gesture, as the Commonwealth Prime Ministers arrived for their Conference. This was considered illegal by the Foreign Office, and prompted calls by Labour MP Willie Hamilton, who condemned it as "the flag of an illegal Government in rebellion against the Crown", for its removal.

Throughout this time, the UK refused to recognise Rhodesia's independence and maintained that the light-blue ensign remained the official flag of the country, but in 1972, the Rhodesian Olympic team raised the earlier pre-1953 dark Blue Ensign at the Olympic Village in Munich, while "God Save The Queen" was played. This was before its expulsion from the International Olympic Committee, four days before the opening of the 1972 Summer Olympics.

In 1979, the country became known as Zimbabwe-Rhodesia and a new flag was adopted on 4 September that year featuring the pan-African colours of red, black, yellow and green, and the Zimbabwe Bird. However, under the terms of the Lancaster House Agreement, the country briefly returned to British rule under the Union Jack from 12 December 1979 although the Zimbabwe Rhodesia flag remained de facto in use. Thus it was the British Union Flag that was lowered during the ceremony on 17/18 April 1980 marking the country's attainment of independence as the Republic of Zimbabwe when the new flag of Zimbabwe was adopted.

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