It was declared self-governing on February 1, 1973. On September 13, 1979 it was declared independent by the South African government and its residents lost their South African citizenship. In common with other Bantustans its independence was not recognised by the international community.
It was a series of non-contiguous territories in the then Transvaal, with one main part and one main exclave. Its government was temporarily overthrown in 1990 by a popular uprising. It was re-absorbed into South Africa on April 27, 1994.
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