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Controversy over VI flag flown below South Africa flag @ Watering Hole

Recent events have sparked significant concern regarding the display of the Virgin Islands flag at the renowned Watering Hole, a popular restaurant and bar located in the vibrant heart of Road Town, Tortola. Photo: Team of Reporters
Controversy recently emerged when patrons and passersby at the Watering Hole in Road Town noticed the flag of South Africa was prominently flown above the Virgin Islands flag, which was, alarmingly, displayed upside down. Photo: Team of Reporters
Controversy recently emerged when patrons and passersby at the Watering Hole in Road Town noticed the flag of South Africa was prominently flown above the Virgin Islands flag, which was, alarmingly, displayed upside down. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Recent events have sparked significant concern regarding the display of the Virgin Islands flag at the renowned Watering Hole, a popular restaurant and bar located in the vibrant heart of Road Town, Tortola.

The Watering Hole is not just an ordinary dining establishment; it is celebrated for its exquisite selection of South African wines, featuring hundreds of varietals that appeal to both connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike.

More than a restaurant, it serves as a cultural hub that captures the rich essence and spirit of the Virgin Islands, attracting both locals and tourists.

Controversy

However, controversy recently emerged when patrons noticed that the flag of South Africa was prominently flown above the Virgin Islands flag, which was, alarmingly, displayed upside down.

This unsettling sight was observed earlier this week and has sparked a wave of discussions among the community about the importance of proper flag etiquette and respect for national symbols.

While many individuals questioned the restaurant's adherence to flag protocol, sources close to the situation indicate that the unfortunate oversight was not intentional. Instead, it was reportedly a mistake made by a young intern who was unfamiliar with the correct positioning of the flags.

In response to the growing discontent, Virgin Islands News Online reached out to the Watering Hole for a statement regarding the incident.

However, no official comments were provided. Instead, the source hinted at an apology to both the government of the Virgin Islands and its citizens, expressing regret for any offence caused by the oversight.

43 Responses to “Controversy over VI flag flown below South Africa flag @ Watering Hole”

  • WHAT!!! (23/07/2025, 14:00) Like (39) Dislike (12) Reply
    Old news, the owner has already apologized and explained how the mistake was made.
    • Wait what (23/07/2025, 21:23) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
      What if it were your home flag?

      Dumb actions and even dumber comments are what you get for the stupidity immigration policy that permits significant imbalances in the Strangers and Citizens ratio!
    • @ WHAT!!! (24/07/2025, 03:29) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      You mean like how history about European imperialism has been taught - making white villains heroes?

  • facts (23/07/2025, 14:04) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
    The Union Jack ???????? should be at the top of that and every pole.
  • FIRE (23/07/2025, 14:11) Like (10) Dislike (12) Reply
    The flag is incorrectly correct, its Africa we from.
  • Jumbi ( ')> (23/07/2025, 14:43) Like (21) Dislike (31) Reply
    As the South Africans Should... That intern should leave it as it is -- The Upside down flag = The Backwardness of the people and the Government of the Virgin Islands
    • facts (23/07/2025, 15:24) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      Perhaps the intern is a BV Islander!!
    • @jumbi (23/07/2025, 16:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Pls remain jumbi until you pass red rock
    • Leave or Please Don't Come (23/07/2025, 21:50) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      Hopefully, you leave this shores of the backward people and government if you are here and if you are not here hopefully the likes of you and that mindset never have to grace our shores and territory with your presence
  • Optimist (23/07/2025, 14:45) Like (25) Dislike (14) Reply
    This mistake should "NEVER HAPPEN". The intern should have been monitored/instructed . I find it hard to beleave they don't know bottom from top.
    Historically this shows the country has been conquered and in distress .Very disrespectful.
  • we the people (23/07/2025, 14:54) Like (24) Dislike (13) Reply
    They have no respect for us
    • BuzzBvi (23/07/2025, 18:45) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      I guess some people in the HOA would like them to fly an Andrew Fahie Flag. They certainly do not respect the people of the VI whichever way up they are.
    • @ we the people (24/07/2025, 03:24) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      Exactly the first thing that came to my mind too .
  • Truth (23/07/2025, 15:47) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Don't bring that here because as Julius melema say get rid of the boar
  • Noo sah (23/07/2025, 15:49) Like (10) Dislike (8) Reply
    Boycott that place. Don't bring that racism here.. they are fully aware of what they did.
  • @ WE THE PEOPLE (23/07/2025, 15:57) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    .YOH EITHER ASKING FOR A FRIEND OR SPEWING OUT DOME KIND OF RACIST NARRATIVES - HOW DO YOU KNOW IT WASN'T AN HONEST MISTAKE ? ARE YOU PERFECT ? INSTEAD YOU DRAMATIZING IT TO WRITING AND THEN BLOGGING TO WHAT YOU WROTE , JUST CREATE DRAMA / AND IT VOULD OF BEEN DEALTH WITH BY SIMPLY BRINGING IT TO THEIR ATTENTION AND LET THEM CORECT IT , BUT YOU COULDN'T RESIST THE OPPERTUNITY TO JUMP ON IT AND HERE YOU ARE WITH ANOYHEF DHORT STORY AGSIN
  • Wow! real disrespectful (23/07/2025, 16:10) Like (6) Dislike (9) Reply
    We need to boycott that business until they get their act together.
  • @FIRE (23/07/2025, 16:26) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    That flag you day is south Africa flag is not created by the black people in south Africa, every thing was compromised or sold out under nelson Mandela as they used him as a project to lift the frozen finances on the banks of apartheid whites, the flag the constitution and lands benefitted the 10% white apartheid beneficiaries up to this day.
  • . (23/07/2025, 16:51) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    Worried about the wrong things.
  • Dave (23/07/2025, 16:57) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    You have seen the flags the government does fly? All faded and torn? The only reason this is news is because someone wanted to bully a foreign person… because we all know only foreigners does make mistakes in the BVI.
  • Wide open (23/07/2025, 17:41) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
    Set of racist they run from South Africa now want to control the BVI
  • HMMM (23/07/2025, 20:42) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    A blatant lack of respect.
  • jumbee (23/07/2025, 22:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is that green flag still up?
  • Not funny (23/07/2025, 22:09) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    There are certain things you don't guess and jump into if you don't know what you doing. Nobody put the flags of 2 different countries on the same pole. That is for one. You noy draping a curtain and styling an event. An applogy doesn't even cut it. In another serious country it would have been a offence

    I am not for or against any of the flags displayed, but you don't play round things like this
  • Not a surprise (23/07/2025, 22:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    They said what they said. Take it as you may. Hope you caught on
  • HAHA (24/07/2025, 00:07) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    The guy apologized but it's the comments by the other visitor to our islands that is disrespectful. Captain Fry talking about what's the big deal and making light of the situation. He could never do something like that in the USA especially in places like Texas.They does come here and lack respect for us. The BVI ain't the same peaceful place like it was years ago.
  • Cindy (24/07/2025, 00:12) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    under the VIP the country slipping away from locals
  • Flag protocol (24/07/2025, 00:20) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Anyone wanting to fly a flag on its premises from another country has to obtain permission from the Deputy Governor’s Office. Was this permission granted?
  • x (24/07/2025, 02:35) Like (7) Dislike (13) Reply
    More outrage over a scrap of fabric than our poor leadership.
  • The watchdog (24/07/2025, 02:56) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    South Africa??? Where do you think these ideas came from in the first place?!

    This lot acts like they're reinventing the wheel. We remembered the apartheid days
  • My poor ppl (24/07/2025, 05:22) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    If this was the other way around and we were in South Africa how u think is would have played out ? We don't deman anything good for ourselves
  • ok (24/07/2025, 07:02) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    Let's move on and deal with the real problem...corruption and infrastructure collapse..thank you.
  • for real (24/07/2025, 07:47) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
    These petty things, people worry about, infact, Tortolians ain't got no African roots, dem act like dem fall out the sky and land on this little continent
  • bvi (24/07/2025, 08:12) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    @Jumbi The Backwardness of the people and the Government of the Virgin Islands, Why are you still in the BVI?
  • lodger (24/07/2025, 08:55) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    So obviously a simple mistake of getting the halyard upside down when hoisting.
    The generated hatred is ridiculous.
  • vex (24/07/2025, 09:35) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    No we are not moving on until the corruption in the governor’s office is addressed and mark collins is arrested
  • Stealth (24/07/2025, 09:37) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    This inarguably iit disrespectful to the BI and its people. Was the the displaying of the flags deliberate to see if the intellectually challenged VI people would know the difference or even care! Was it an honest mistake? Do the VI people missed the memo that w…e has a divine right to rule over blacks and that social Darwinism racial hierarchy is a natural order. VI people better wake up from their slumber. They are already in the minority. Pretty soon they will be a powerless minority in their homeland.Africaneer power rising as it did in Southern Africa.
  • bvi (24/07/2025, 10:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @we the people, They all should be shipped back to Africa they show no respect for the BVI and most of them are like that.
  • smh (24/07/2025, 10:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    BS EXCUSE!!.. An intern unfamiliar with the proper flag ethics and no one was there to guide that individual accordingly? I can only assume that, that intern been living on the island and should know what's top and bottom of any flag especially the flag where you currently reside. But then the same intern did put up the South Africa flag correctly huh. NO INTERN should be left unsupervised in a business establishment. If the intern can't simply respect this country by knowing proper protocols when it comes to this country's flag, then this person should not be residing in this territory. It's that simple for me. POOR EXCUSE. Not buying that one from manage ment.
  • THE WIGGED ONE (24/07/2025, 10:49) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    RAISING HELL OVER A FLAG THAT WAS HUNG THE WRONG WAY AND BLOGGING LIKE HE SO HOLY AND PERFECT , LETS JUST SUPPOSE HE WAS OUR PREMIER , HE WOULD OF IMPLODE ,BECAUSE ALMOST ALL OF THESE BLOGGS ARE FROM HIS PEN AND AS ONE OF YOUR NAMES ( HA HA ) WHY DON'T YOU ORGANIZE A MARCH AND PROTEST AGAINST IT AS ( WE THE PEOPLE ) ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR FANCY NAMES , AND AS WE CAN SEE YOU ARE ( WIDE OPEN )
  • RealPol (24/07/2025, 11:24) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The White Africaneers feel confident they can disrespect the the proper protocol of hoisting the VI flag because the VI people are more interested in materialism than nationalism . Is it disrespectful to let the territorial flag get grossly tattered and still be flown? It is disrespectful to fly the territorial flag at night without proper lighting? Yes. Nonetheless, it was highly disrespectful for the watering hole to hoist the South African ensign above the VI, the host country, flag. VI people, “ Fix yourself” and take care of business. Remember respect is earned., People who cannot or don’t want to adhere to and respect the history, heritage, the People, government systems, civic responsibilities, etc., should pack up and vamos on the first available mode of transportation. Hit the road jacks, bloats!!!
  • marcus garvey (24/07/2025, 11:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rhodesia flash back by the owners
  • soo (24/07/2025, 18:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    He paid to make the fake pay to install it
    Then explains it was a mistake ?
    Hog wash


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