<Li> <P> The design of the Red Ensign was modified slightly in 1912 when the shield was placed on a white disc so as to make it more distinguishable . The Red Ensign continued to be used as the flag of the South African merchant marine until 1951 . </P> </Li> <P> The design of the Red Ensign was modified slightly in 1912 when the shield was placed on a white disc so as to make it more distinguishable . The Red Ensign continued to be used as the flag of the South African merchant marine until 1951 . </P> <P> These flags never enjoyed much popular support due to the animosities lingering after the Anglo - Boer War . The Afrikaner descendants of the Dutch settlers from the former Boer Republics found the prominent position of the British Union Flag to be offensive while the English - speakers saw any move to remove it as an Afrikaner plot to deprive them of their imperial symbol . </P> <Table> South Africa (1928--1994) <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Proportion </Th> <Td> 2: 3 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Adopted </Th> <Td> 1928 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> </Td> </Tr> </Table>

What does the colours in the sa flag mean