The first Naval Colour was presented to the SA Navy on 12 April 1969, but with only the red lion, which appears on the crest of the South African coat of arms, in the lower fly instead of the naval emblem.
Umbala wokuqala woMkhosi wamanzi waboniswa kuMkhosi wamanzi wase-SA ngomhla we-12 Epreli 1969, kodwa unengonyama ebomvu kuphela, okwizixhobo zomkhosi waseMzantsi Afrika, kubhajiselo olusezantsi endaweni yomfuziselo womkhosi wamanzi.