The status of entities in the form of Bantustans or homelands, created by South Africa, for black Africans from 1976 following its policy of apartheid, was similarly doubtful under international law. They were not granted recognition by any state except South Africa. Although these homelands had full legal control over their internal and external affairs, South Africa exercised major control on economic matters. On 17 November 1993, South Africa decided to abolish these independent homelands and reincorporated them into South Africa.