The largest flag in the country hoisted at the Donkin Reserve on a daily basis

The largest South African flag in the country was hoisted for the first time amid a regal ceremony facilitated by members of the army at the Donkin Reserve recently.

The 12 metre by 8 metre large flag is part of a project undertaken by the MBDA to commemorate the 67 years former President Nelson Mandela spent in politics.

The “Route 67” will start at the Campanile, will go all the way up to Jetty Street, past the library and St Mary’s Cathedral and to the Donkin. By the time the World Cup kicks-off in June, there will be 67 artworks in mosaic exhibited all along the route.

Nelson Mandela Bay Deputy Mayor, Cllr Nancy Sihlwayi, attended the event and gave a moving speech on how she experienced goose bumps during the special ceremony.

“It was an amazing experience for me to watch the flag being hoisted because of the knowledge of where our country comes from, and where we are today. Our national flag is symbolic of a brighter future for all the people of this country, and serves as an agreement between us all that we are one,” said Cllr Sihlwayi.

The flag is hoisted on a daily basis at the Donkin Reserve and residents are encouraged to go and view it.

MBDA deputy chairman, Phil Gutche, said the colours of the South African flag stood for the red blood spilled over the Apartheid era in the fight for democracy, the blue skies, gold for the countries rich resources, the lush green agricultural fields and the black and white for the different races.

He also praised ANC regional chairperson and former Mayor, Nceba Faku, for his idea to create the MBDA as a separate unit of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality for the purpose of focussing on the development of the Central Business District of Nelson Mandela Bay.