South Africa's independence from Britain in 1910 did not lead to freedom and equality for several reasons:
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Limited Franchise: The 1910 Act that established the Union of South Africa allowed only white citizens to vote, effectively excluding the majority Black population and other racial groups from political participation. This systemic disenfranchisement entrenched racial inequalities.
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Racial Segregation Policies: Following independence, the government implemented laws such as the Natives Land Act of 1913, which restricted land ownership for Black South Africans and institutionalized racial segregation, laying the groundwork for apartheid.
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Continued Colonial Mindset: Many leaders within the newly independent government held colonial attitudes, believing in white superiority and the need to maintain control over the non-white population, which perpetuated systemic inequalities.
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Economic Disparities: Economic policies favored white South Africans, leading to significant wealth gaps between racial groups. Black South Africans were often relegated to low-paying jobs with little opportunity for advancement, further entrenching economic inequality.
These factors combined meant that, despite formal independence, true freedom and equality remained out of reach for the majority of South Africans.