The designer of South Africa’s post-apartheid flag, Fred Brownell, died at his home in the capital, Pretoria, on Friday night at the age of 79.

He designed the flag in 1993 to herald the end of minority rule in South Africa.

“The name of Fred Brownell is one that is synonymous with the journey taken by this fledgling democracy in the role he played in designing and producing the flag of post-democratic South Africa,” Arts and culture minister Nathi Mthethwa said in a statement on Sunday evening.

“Mr Fred Brownell, you gave us our identity as the nation. We honour you,” he added.

Brownell is survived by his wife Christine, three daughters and grandchildren.