Today, 64 years ago, on March 15, 1961 (Calendar 29 January 1961), South Africa withdrew from the United Kingdom. On March 15, 1961, South African Prime Minister Henryk Wilford announced today that his country would withdraw from the United Kingdom. After four heads of state inside the United Kingdom violently criticized South Africa's apartheid policy, Wilford shocked many and pulled South Africa out of the United Kingdom, condemning those who criticized the apartheid system implemented by South Africa.