Minister Nathi Mthethwa said Frederick Brownell, the man who designed and produced the South African flag, gave post-apartheid South Africa an identity. The Minister further alluded to Mr. Brownell as one of the greatest patriots and national heroes, former South African State Herald and the designer of our South African flag. In his lifetime Fred Brownell designed many coats of arms and  flags including the flag for Namibia. His flag was adopted in April 1994, replacing the old apartheid flag that had been used since 1928.