Date: 9 May, 1960

At a meeting of Commonwealth Heads' of Government, Commonwealth leaders discussed SA's apartheid policy. The meeting centred around the apartheid policy of the National Party government, implemented since the 1948 general election. There was exploitation and unfair treatment of Black, Coloured and Indian people. The Sharpeville massacre that occurred in 21 March 1960 prompted Commonwealth leaders to meet in London to discuss the policy.

South Africa returned to the Commonwealth in 1994 after the election of the first democratic government in its history.

Source:

http://africanhistory.about.com/library/thisday/bl-ThisDay0509.htm