The new flag of Zimbabwe was raised for the first time over Cecil Rhodes Square on Sunday (2 September) in a symbolic affirmation of black power. Some twenty thousand Africans cheered as the new multi-coloured banner bearing the ??? of a bird was hoisted.

SYNOPSIS: In central Salisbury, bells peeled at the Anglican cathedral at eleven a.m. on Sunday (2 September) and the flag was raised over Cecil Rhodesia Square, the same place where white pioneers halted their ??? in 1890 and ran up the British Union Jack. The flag raising ceremony was not without its problems, however. As police sergeant Innocent Mutsengi hoisted the new flag, it stuck halfway up. The sergeant pulled it back down again, untangled it and then once again hauled it to the top. The flag raising ceremony was the latest attempt by the government of Prime Minister Abel Muzorewa to demonstrate that his government is moving towards genuine black majority rule in the troubled African nation.

One notable absentee from the proceedings was former white Prime Minister Mr. Ian Smith. Mr. Smith, who leads the country's white parliamentarians was on a trip to South Africa. Mr. Smith will be one of the members of the Zimbabwe negotiating team to take part in the London conference next week, (10 September).

Bishop Muzorewas has expressed opposite to British proposals expected to be made in London for fresh elections in Zimbabwe. He has been quoted as saying it is "evil" to ask the electorate to vote again "so soon after risking their lives to cast ballots last April." He told reporters that if the new elections could be held in "a free and peaceful atmosphere, it would be a different story"
The new flat is the fourth for the nation, and replaces the green and white banner used since Mr. Smith proclaimed a republic in 1970.