The postage stamp catalogue from South and Central Africa

Angola

  • The first stamps issued by Angola were general issues of Portugal overprinted with “ANGOLA.”

Aquatoriaal Guinea

  • The first stamps used in Equatorial Guinea were those of Spanish Guinea, which featured typical Spanish colonial designs, including the Spanish monarchs and coats of arms.

Ascension

  • The first stamps issued specifically for Ascension were British stamps overprinted with “ASCENSION.”

Betchuanaland

  • The first stamps used in Bechuanaland were Cape of Good Hope stamps overprinted with “British Bechuanaland” or “Protectorate.”

Botswana(1966)

  • To commemorate its independence, Botswana issued its first stamps featuring the new national symbols such as the national flag, coat of arms, and important landmarks

British South Africa Company

  • The British South Africa Company, established by Cecil Rhodes in 1889, administered these territories and issued stamps from 1890 to 1924.

Central African Republic

  • The first stamps used in the region were those of Middle Congo overprinted with “Oubangui-Chari-Tchad” in 1915.

Chad

  • Before gaining independence, Chad was part of French Equatorial Africa, and stamps from this period were issued under the FEA administration.

Congo Brazzaville

  • Congo Brazzaville, located in Central Africa, was a French colony until its independence in 1960.

Congo Kinshasa

  • The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has a rich philatelic tradition dating back to its colonial era under Belgian rule until in 1960.

French Equatorial Africa

  • The first stamps of FEA were overprinted on stamps from the individual colonies with “Afrique Equatoriale Française” or “A.E.F.”

Gabon

  • Gabon, located on the west coast of Central Africa, began issuing its own stamps after gaining independence from France in 1960.

Lesotho

  • Since 1966, Lesotho has issued its own postage stamps, celebrating its national identity, cultural heritage, and significant events.

Malawi

  • Malawi, located in southeastern Africa, was a British protectorate under the name Nyasaland before achieving independence on July 6, 1964.

Mozambique

  • Mozambique’s first stamps were issued in 1877 under Portuguese rule, featuring the image of King Luís I of Portugal.

Natal

  • The first stamps issued in 1857 featured a simple design known as the “Chalon Head,” which depicted Queen Victoria

Namibia

  • The first stamps used in the territory were overprinted German stamps with “Deutsch-Südwestafrika”

Portuguese Africa

  • Early stamps typically depicted the ruling monarch of Portugal or symbols of the Portuguese empire.

Rhodesia and Nyasaland

  • The first stamps of the Federation were issued on February 1, 1954.

Saint Helena

Postage stamp from Saint HelenaThe first stamps of Saint Helena were issued in 1856 and featured the
profile of Queen Victoria.

 

Sao Tome and Principe

  • The first stamps used in São Tomé and Príncipe were Portuguese stamps overprinted with “S. TOMÉ E PRÍNCIPE.

South Africa

  • The Cape of Good Hope issued its first stamps in 1853, notable for being the first triangular postage stamps in the world.

Swaziland

  • The first stamps used in Swaziland were overprinted stamps of the South African Republic (ZAR), issued in 1889.

Tristan da Cunha

  • Tristan da Cunha’s first postage stamps were issued in 1952.

Ubangi Shari Chad

  • Initially, the French colonial administration used general French colonial stamps for postal services in the region.

Zimbabwe

Stamps from Zimbabwe in recent decades have covered a wide range of themes