Government: Old flag 'part of our history'
Communications Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane says Cabinet has not discussed suggestions that the old South African flag be banned.
She was briefing the media on this week's Cabinet meeting.
The debate around the banning of the apartheid-era flag was reignited after it was displayed by some protesters during the #BlackMonday campaign.
"These are some of the symbols that will remain within our society as part of our history," said Kubayi-Ngubane.
She also condemned the burning of the new South African flag.
"We respect South Africans rights to freedom of expression and the right to protest. But we are saying can it be done in the most responsible way. There are images of people burning our flag and people having old flags, including people hurling insults."
She said South Africans need to understand the country's painful past and what it took for South Africa to emerge as a democracy.
"We should all work together to try and enhance social cohesion in our country and ensure South Africa becomes and remains a non-racial society and without anyone feeling that the other does not have to or need to belong here."