Question

how did South Africa get freedom

Answer 1

after Nelson Mandela protest in 1947 South Africa got independence

Answer 2

8 years after the end of the second Boer war on 31 May 1910, Britain gave South Africa nominal independence. This union was a dominion that included the former colonies of the Cape and Natal. This union only became fully sovereign in 1931 when all powers Britain had over the country were abolished. So although the country was rated as independent, it did not become fully independent from the British empire until 1931. Even after that it was still recognizing the British queen as monarch until 1961. In 1961 a referendum was held in which the nationalist dominated government wanted to leave the British union, drop the queen and become a republic. They won this referendum. This was still only governance by the white minority. Laws introduced by the British controlled union where upheld and strengthened and became something called apartheid, which means separation. In 1990 the nationalist government started breaking down the barriers between races by abolishing apartheid. In 1994 the first totally inclusive elections were held and won by the African National Congress.

So depending on how you look at history.

1910 - Semi independent, own local government, still answers to Westminster parliament.

1931 - More independent. Ally of Britain. Still has governor general(elected official) Recognizes Queen as Monarch.

1961 - Completely independent. Forms a republic. President replaces governor general. Don’t recognize the Queen as monarch.

1994 - First universal elections held.