South Africa had been colonized by the English and the Dutch in the 17th century. The English eventually dominated the Dutch descendents known as Boers or Afrikaners, which lead to the establishment of two colonies by the Dutch called the Orange Free State and Transvaal. When the English discovered the presence of diamonds in Orange Free State and Transvaal, they invaded the colonies marking the beginning of the Boer War. The Afrikaners eventually gained independence in 1910 and formed the Union of South Africa. The Afrikaner National Party reorganized the standards of the country with little representation ! from the non-white majority. The National Party gained a majority in the 1940’s and won the election in 1948. The party then recommended the idea of Apartheid, an increase in racial segregation against black and colored people through the use of various forms of legislation.
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/south_africa_1885.jpg
A historical map of of South Africa
showing British possessions in 1885