Old Flag Banned from Stadium

It's official, football fans will not be allowed to enter Green Point Stadium during the 2010 World Cup with the old South African flag.

For over sixty years the "Prinsevlag" or old flag was a symbol of South African culture but it won't be allowed through the gates of Cape Town's FIFA World Cup Stadium. For many the flag represents the Apartheid era and is rarely seen these days, ever since the current flag was hoisted on the 27 April 1994. The old flag has been placed on a list of forbidden items along with firearms, knives and even umbrellas with sharp points. Some readers may feel that this is ridiculous but for some individuals the old flag is a reminder of a very dark time in their lives. The orange, white and blue flag was a symbol of this country 20 years before the apartheid began but the Swastika was used in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, long before Hitler decided to utilize it. Some South Africans have chosen to wear the flag on t shirts and have waved them at recent sporting events, this could cause problems if flag memorabilia is sold to supporters who are unaware of it's history.

The flag is no longer recognized as the national flag of South Africa and officials don't want to upset anyone or embarrass the great city of Cape Town. The flag is an extremely touchy issue, so if you enjoy taking an old SA flag to sporting events then you're out of luck if you have a ticket to a match in Cape Town.