The South African Border War - Meanwhile back on the home front.
While the South African Government had been busying itself with perceived communist threats all around its borders, it had been brewing internal threats of its own.
Apartheid had not been well received, for obvious reasons, by those who were severely disenfranchised thereby and discriminated against.
Various movements had been established in its wake representing various portions of the South African population, that were poorly catered for under the Apartheid dispensation.
One of these was the African National Congress.
In the aftermath of the Sharpville massacre in 1960 the ANC founded a military wing called uMkhonto we Sizwe (translated Spear of the Nation) or MK.
Nelson Mandela would describe the justification for the formation of the MK later in his trial for treason in such a manner:
At the beginning of June 1961, after a long and anxious assessment of the South African situation, I, and some colleagues, came to the conclusion that as violence in this country was inevitable, it would be unrealistic and wrong for African leaders to continue preaching peace and non-violence at a time when the government met our peaceful demands with force.
This conclusion was not easily arrived at. It was only when all else had failed, when all channels of peaceful protest had been barred to us, that the decision was made to embark on violent forms of political struggle, and to form Umkhonto we Sizwe. We did so not because we desired such a course, but solely because the government had left us with no other choice. In the Manifesto of Umkhonto published on 16 December 1961, which is exhibit AD, we said:
The time comes in the life of any nation when there remain only two choices – submit or fight. That time has now come to South Africa. We shall not submit and we have no choice but to hit back by all means in our power in defense of our people, our future, and our freedom.
Firstly, we believed that as a result of Government policy, violence by the African people had become inevitable, and that unless responsible leadership was given to canalise and control the feelings of our people, there would be outbreaks of terrorism which would produce an intensity of bitterness and hostility between the various races of this country which is not produced even by war. Secondly, we felt that without violence there would be no way open to the African people to succeed in their struggle against the principle of white supremacy. All lawful modes of expressing opposition to this principle had been closed by legislation, and we were placed in a position in which we had either to accept a permanent state of inferiority, or take over the Government. We chose to defy the law. We first broke the law in a way which avoided any recourse to violence; when this form was legislated against, and then the Government resorted to a show of force to crush opposition to its policies, only then did we decide to answer with violence.
MK, like most of the African liberation movements, naturally received support from the Soviets an other communist countries.
With the reasonably swift capture and trial of the South African based MK leadership and detention of them on Robben Island, MK had to operate mainly from outside SA borders.
Tanzania was once again the springboard, and with effective suppression inside South Africa MK operated alongside the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army against the Rhodesian Army as an Ally.
This alliance was another reason for the South Africa military and politicians to meddle in Rhodesian and Mozambican military affairs.
Other posts in this series
The piece of the cold war nobody told you about - Africa's forgotten war
The Air Battles
The SA Fighter Aircraft
The SA Bomber Aircraft
The conflicts deep roots and start
Regional Tensions
Africa's forgotten cold war - Angolan War of Independence.
Africa's forgotten cold war - Mozambican War of Independence.
Africa's forgotten cold war - Rhodesian Bush War
Africa's forgotten cold war - The Angolan War of Independence transitions to the Angolan Civil War
The South African Border War - The start of Operation Savannah and Large scale South African involvement.
The South African Border War - Operation Savannah - the wheels start coming off.
The South African Border War - Operation Savannah - Battle of Quifangondo
The South African Border War - Operation Savannah - Battle of Ebo
The South African Border War - Operation Savannah - Battle of Bridge 14
The South African Border War - Operation Savannah - Battle of Luso
The South African Border War - Operation Savannah comes to an end.
The South African Border War - Operation Savannah the withdrawal.
They say what goes around comes around ! But it doesn't seem to apply for Africa. Such a wealthy continent, culture, natural ressources, beautiful people .. but AFRICA is still suffering !!! What a shame !!
Africa's a tough continent, we have lions and everything
I'm so sorry that's happening to your nation. No wonder why a lot of Africans migrate to other countries. I hope that border war will be over soon.
Yes a tough and beautiful continent ! But I still see so many people starving ant tortured in African countries, I feel the pain ! Sorry I mention this today, but this is what TV in my region shows the most. Thank god am educated and I know AFRICA is the craddle of humanity ! There is always hope for a change.
I was a teenager during the time of the border war, and part of the uninformed white minority. Looking back, I cannot even imagine that I could not have known. Propaganda was alive and well then, as it is now...
That's a story I am looking to tell, cause its my story too.
Time for another leader to step up in Africa and lead a revolution.
Agreed. I don't see much difference between the ANC and NP, except of course open brutality and legislated racial discrimination. But in terms of how corrupt and they are and cronyism, the NP seems to have simply morphed into the ANC due to external economic pressures. The decision to end apartheid I do not believe was out of moral conviction. It was a purely economic decision. The country could not survive the sanctions.
Arguably it has always been, and continues to be, about white economic supremacy. The strange thing is that right now the white and western supremacy and inequality that is symptomatic of it, is hiding behind an equally corrupt mask of democracy and equality for all. That mask is slowly unraveling. I think that is also Julius Malema's point. Nelson Mandela did not finish the job. The Mandela that stepped out of prison was not the same person as the one who justified his treason with the words above in 1961.
Of course this may have saved us a civil war or a serious revolution. But it was in the best interests of the elite (both black and white) to find an amicable solution. Now, two decades later, the only thing that has changed really is that the country has opened up to the world economically and we avoided further sanctions.
Actually I think that is the difference between Zimbabwe and South Africa. You could easily argue that Mugabe stuck to his principles more and is therefore a more honourable man than Mandela. Mugabe did not sell out his own people to colonialists or the colonialists' ideology and way of life.
I guess what I'm really trying to say is that the racial prejudice and hate in South Africa is now stronger than ever, and it is still the weapon for economic dominance. The only difference is that now it is an inside job.
Following you.
very true that.
I don't think many would agree with you sentiment regarding Uncle Bob though...
Zimbabwe has unfortunately gone from being the breadbasket of Africa to the basket-case of Africa under Mugabe
Thank you so much for your comment @gavvet. I do not expect many people to agree with my comment about Mugabe. Partly because popular rhetoric has twisted the debate to such an extent that my sentiment as you call it can easily be misinterpreted.
That is true. It used to be the breadbasket of Africa. I also read somewhere that it is ranked number one in the world in terms of weather. And South Africa is number two.
Where are you from? I hope you have a wonderful day!! Following You!!!
Good Leadership is in short supply worldwide these days...
Good leaders are born once in a generation. Everyone is after money now.
A good reminder of the past and where we have come from as a somewhat traumatized nation. It is distressing to think that the Marikana massacre was created by the same government that Umkhonto we Sizwe created...perhaps violence ultimately does beget violence. I feel conflicted though, because I understand that umkhonto was created at a time when people felt they had no choice.
Life is always complex, no short and simple answers.
you are right but if you think easy, life will be easy ....it seems to me.
I'm still coming to terms with apartheid and all its consequences. I just hope that we can peace and stability in South Africa some day...
We are not doing to badly all things considered. It was a miracle we avoided full scale civil war. Nelson Mandela and the other leaders of the time are much to be thanked for that.
Can't say the same for the current crop though.
So true. But I'm still optimistic we will improve after the next vote.
I was a far away from Africa know who is mandela. From Aceh Sumatra I love him, because I know Mandela is a very great man. His work in politics as well as racial equality makes him a role model for everyone. Twenty-seven years in a cold prison does not waver to keep fighting. Believing in what he thinks is right and advanced without fear of anything. Even if necessary, Nelson would give all he had, even life.Resilient personality and always unyielding, it seems no exaggeration dubbed the legend. Making it one of the most influential people in the world amid all the limitations. In the midst of all the unceasing pressures that hit him. Very interesting post,
True Mandela showed many characteristics to be admired and deserves all of the praise he gets at home and abroad.
He also by his own admission was not perfect.
Steady @rebatesteem
@Gavvet
very good material 👍
@rebatesteem
support with your comment 👍
dear @gavvet, Cruelty and injustice and unfair treatment to the people, must be stopped and opposed any way, because man in the eyes of God is the same, there is no difference between whites and blacks. In fact, the people of Africa have lived a prosperous day. But this is very poignant and bitter. Fight ... for justice. I'm sure the victory is always on the right side.
Great educative post. i wonder how long Zuma would be able to hold onto office before it is prieed out of his hands, finally!
Hopefully not as long as Mugabe
Imagine from 1961 he had to wait another 33 years of suffering and torture at Robinson Island until he was released and finally South Africa got its independence and their long awaited President Mandela. I have never seen an amazing human being like him and one of a kind President the world has ever seen. Nice post btw, Thanks 👍
@gavvet military politics is very cruel.
Maybe you have not felt even if you have made a story of military political violence.
But already feel how the military politics. When that happens, we go awry. Both our sides must submit.
But that is very difficult again, when politics takes place internally. It's even harder.
Thank you @gavvet interesting post
Nice