South African Republic, 1858

On 16–17 January 1852, the British government signed the Sand River Convention with Andries Pretorius, leader of the Boers, allowing immigrant farmers north of the Vaal River to govern themselves. On 18 February 1858 they established the Zuid-Afrikaanse Republiek (ZAR) (South African Republic), in Transvaal, initially with Potchefstroom as capital, and flying the Voortrekker saltire flag. On 18 February 1858, the ZAR adopted the “Vierkleur” (‘Four colours’): the Dutch red-white-blue flag with a green stripe at the hoist.