Media release on the flying of the Namibian flag by private people
Private Namibians, who are proud of their country and who wants to display the Namibian Flag in a dignified manner as a sign of patriotism on festive occasions (national days) are free to do so. However, if private persons want to fly the National Flag every day, government permission, through the Department of Protocol and Consul Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required.
The 2009 Protocol Manual of the Republic of Namibia clearly states that private Namibians may proudly display the National Flag as a sign of patriotism on festive occasions. However, private persons are not permitted to fly foreign flags on their homes, unless they received permission from the Namibian Government to do so and then also fly the Namibian Flag in accordance with the rules of courtesy.
To clear all misconceptions and misunderstandings on the use of the Namibian Flag by private citizens, an extract on the use of the Namibian National Flag from the 2009 Protocol Manual of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reproduced verbatim below:CHAPTER 7: FLAG AND ANTHEM ETIQUETTE 1. THE CONSTITUTION AND THE FLAGArticle 2 (1) provides for a National Flag of Namibia the description of which is set out in Schedule 6 of the Constitution.
The National Flag is the symbol of the Nation. It is the emblem of its unity, its power, and its thought and purpose as a nation. In Namibia, no other flag is placed above the National Flag which must be respected by all at all times.2. USE OF THE NATIONAL FLAGIn Namibia, the flag is flown on all public buildings. Abroad, the Namibian flag is flown on the Chancery and the Residence of the Head of Mission. The flag is also flown on the official vehicle of the Head of Mission. However, when the Head of State is on a visit to a country where there is a Namibian Head of Mission, only the Head of State flies the National flag on his/her official vehicle.
2.1 Times for flying the Flag
The National Flag is hoisted at dawn or 7 am and lowered at sundown. If the flag is flown several days at a time, it is lowered each night. The flag is removed in inclement weather unless an all weather flag is displayed. Government decides the specific buildings and the specific national monuments on which the flag is flown twenty-four hours a day.
2.2 Half-mast
On the direction of the Government, the National Flag is flown at half-mast to signify national mourning. The number of days on which the flag is flown at half-mast is indicated in the directive. When the National Flag is being flown at half-mast all other flags in the country must be flown at half-mast or not at all.3. DIPLOMATS IN NAMIBIA AND THE FLYING OF THEIR NATIONAL FLAGSIn Namibia diplomats, in accordance with international law may fly their national flags on the chanceries, the residence of the Head of Mission and on their official cars. The flag is carried on a detachable staff placed on the top of the right mudguard.4. PRIVATE PERSONSPrivate persons may fly the national flag as a sign of patriotism on festive occasions. Private persons are not permitted to fly foreign flags on their homes. They may be permitted to do so on application to the Government provided that, in accordance with the rules of courtesy, they fly the national flag as well.5. PRECEDENCE OF FLAGSThe National Flag has precedence: that is it occupies the right of the other flags as observed while standing directly in front of a building and facing out towards the flags. To an observer facing the building the National Flag should be to the observer's left. The National Flag thus occupies the right if there are two flags or the centre position if there are three flags.
When hosting a visiting African Head of State or Government, his/her flag occupies the right of the National Flag (host) and the AU Flag to the left of the National Flag as observed while standing directly in front of the building and facing the flags. To an observer facing the building, the National Flag occupies the center position.
With regard to a visiting non African Head of State or Government his/her flag will occupy the right of the national Flag as observed while standing directly in front of the building and facing the flags. To an observer facing the building, the National Flag occupies the right position of the observer and the guest?s flag to the left. The AU flag may not be hoisted. All flags must be of the same size and flown at the same height.
For further information on the use of the Namibian National Flag, the public is advised to contact the Department of Protocol and Consular Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at telephone number 061 282 9111.
MBEUTA UA-NDJARAKANA
PERMANENT SECRETARY
The 2009 Protocol Manual of the Republic of Namibia clearly states that private Namibians may proudly display the National Flag as a sign of patriotism on festive occasions. However, private persons are not permitted to fly foreign flags on their homes, unless they received permission from the Namibian Government to do so and then also fly the Namibian Flag in accordance with the rules of courtesy.
To clear all misconceptions and misunderstandings on the use of the Namibian Flag by private citizens, an extract on the use of the Namibian National Flag from the 2009 Protocol Manual of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reproduced verbatim below:CHAPTER 7: FLAG AND ANTHEM ETIQUETTE 1. THE CONSTITUTION AND THE FLAGArticle 2 (1) provides for a National Flag of Namibia the description of which is set out in Schedule 6 of the Constitution.
The National Flag is the symbol of the Nation. It is the emblem of its unity, its power, and its thought and purpose as a nation. In Namibia, no other flag is placed above the National Flag which must be respected by all at all times.2. USE OF THE NATIONAL FLAGIn Namibia, the flag is flown on all public buildings. Abroad, the Namibian flag is flown on the Chancery and the Residence of the Head of Mission. The flag is also flown on the official vehicle of the Head of Mission. However, when the Head of State is on a visit to a country where there is a Namibian Head of Mission, only the Head of State flies the National flag on his/her official vehicle.
2.1 Times for flying the Flag
The National Flag is hoisted at dawn or 7 am and lowered at sundown. If the flag is flown several days at a time, it is lowered each night. The flag is removed in inclement weather unless an all weather flag is displayed. Government decides the specific buildings and the specific national monuments on which the flag is flown twenty-four hours a day.
2.2 Half-mast
On the direction of the Government, the National Flag is flown at half-mast to signify national mourning. The number of days on which the flag is flown at half-mast is indicated in the directive. When the National Flag is being flown at half-mast all other flags in the country must be flown at half-mast or not at all.3. DIPLOMATS IN NAMIBIA AND THE FLYING OF THEIR NATIONAL FLAGSIn Namibia diplomats, in accordance with international law may fly their national flags on the chanceries, the residence of the Head of Mission and on their official cars. The flag is carried on a detachable staff placed on the top of the right mudguard.4. PRIVATE PERSONSPrivate persons may fly the national flag as a sign of patriotism on festive occasions. Private persons are not permitted to fly foreign flags on their homes. They may be permitted to do so on application to the Government provided that, in accordance with the rules of courtesy, they fly the national flag as well.5. PRECEDENCE OF FLAGSThe National Flag has precedence: that is it occupies the right of the other flags as observed while standing directly in front of a building and facing out towards the flags. To an observer facing the building the National Flag should be to the observer's left. The National Flag thus occupies the right if there are two flags or the centre position if there are three flags.
When hosting a visiting African Head of State or Government, his/her flag occupies the right of the National Flag (host) and the AU Flag to the left of the National Flag as observed while standing directly in front of the building and facing the flags. To an observer facing the building, the National Flag occupies the center position.
With regard to a visiting non African Head of State or Government his/her flag will occupy the right of the national Flag as observed while standing directly in front of the building and facing the flags. To an observer facing the building, the National Flag occupies the right position of the observer and the guest?s flag to the left. The AU flag may not be hoisted. All flags must be of the same size and flown at the same height.
For further information on the use of the Namibian National Flag, the public is advised to contact the Department of Protocol and Consular Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at telephone number 061 282 9111.
MBEUTA UA-NDJARAKANA
PERMANENT SECRETARY
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