# South African Border Wars

A podcast by Desmond Latham. Much has been written about the South African Border war which is also known as the Namibian War of Independence. While the fighting was ostensibly about Namibia, most of the significant battles were fought inside Namibia’s northern neighbour, Angola. South Africa’s 23 year border war has been almost forgotten as the Cold War ebbed away and bygones were swept under the political carpet. South African politicians, particularly the ANC and the National Party, decided during negotiations to end years of conflict that the Truth and Reconciliation commission would focus on the internal struggle inside South Africa. For most conscripts in the South African Defence Force, the SADF, they completed matric and then were drafted into the military. For SWAPO or UNITA or the MPLA army FAPLA it was a similar experience but defined largely by a political awakening and usually linked to information spread through villages and in towns. This was a young person’s war which most wars are – after all the most disposable members of society are its young men. Nor was it simply a war between white and black. IT was more a conflict on the ground between red and green. Communism and Capitalism. The…

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## Latest episodes

- [Episode 113 - More details about the fierce fighting when PLAN invaded Namibia in April 1989](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/c0e6173cee50) (2023-07-10, 25 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1329507_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 112 - SWAPO's Sam Nujoma pulls a fast one and UNTAG struggles to cope](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/5549b8b67a3d) (2023-07-03, 24 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1327043_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 111 - Two Scorpions in a bottle and peace after 23 years](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/610885a7038a) (2023-06-25, 28 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1324537_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 110 - Cuban MiG-23s bomb Calueque Dam and 11 SADF troops pay the price](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/92b263582449) (2023-06-19, 22 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1322311_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 109 - A Bosbok survives a missile near miss as both the SADF and the Cubans gear up](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/e405247b370a) (2023-06-11, 22 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1319623_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 108 - Cubans start heading towards Calueque Dam and another South African POW](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/74fe73f298e0) (2023-06-05, 21 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1317555_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 107 – Reagan, Gorbachev, Ulysses the Bull, Fidel Castro: Diplomacy Breaks Out](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/b03a14c082e3) (2023-05-28, 22 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1314796_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 106 – Operation Packer/Tumpo 3 and Castro’s obsession](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/17a162eea6c4) (2023-05-23, 21 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1312959_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 105 – Citizen Force ou-manne train for the third Battle of Tumpo while Russians drink rice-vodka to forget](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/d1684dfa75b3) (2023-05-16, 22 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1310677_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 104 – The SAAF raids Lubango and a tired 61 Mech launches the Battle of Tumpo II](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/371c1da4c090) (2023-05-07, 22 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1307556_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 103 – The First Battle of Tumpo Triangle where 61 Mech faced a fierce FAPLA bombardment](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/2fed8c7d87d2) (2023-05-01, 25 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1305487_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 102 – 32 Battalion strikes Menongue Airfield and a Mirage is shot down](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/f67b10b43269) (2023-04-23, 23 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1303298_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 101 – The Valentines Day assault on 59 Brigade and a Cuban tank ambush](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/2f75cf1ed0b5) (2023-04-16, 23 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1300756_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 100 – FAPLA pushed from their positions along the Chambinga High Ground on Friday 13th](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/c6781828b2ea) (2023-04-11, 23 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1299170_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 99 – The SAAF tests a top secret weapon while new recruits come to terms with giant moths and skulking MiGs](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/f11b83f965a4) (2023-04-02, 23 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1296601_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 98 – Hougaard goes marauding and a Russian commander dies as an ammunition bunker explodes](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/b85b3695f4b7) (2023-03-26, 21 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1293957_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 97 – Castro starts to talk peace but along the Cuito River all hell rains down](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/02c724c04b73) (2023-03-19, 24 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1291776_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 96 – The Chambinga Gallop and the end of Operation Moduler](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/5892796c5e61) (2023-03-12, 25 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1289245_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 95 – 21/25 Brigade makes a dash for the Chambinga Bridge amidst heroics by 32's Van Zyl](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/12703ce076c5) (2023-03-05, 25 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1286828_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 94 – South African and Russian tanks go toe-to-toe at the Chambinga river in southern Angola](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/a44cbbff6f22) (2023-02-26, 22 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1284497_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 93 – Russians claim chemical weapon attack as the SADF pounds FAPLA](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/74f6925a1f60) (2023-02-19, 21 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1282136_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 92 – An indebted Pretoria fixates on Cuito Cuanavale](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/b408197f906e) (2023-02-12, 22 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1278557_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 91 – Russians on the Lomba and the Olifant Battle Tank](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/7171e264677c) (2023-02-06, 26 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1276344_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 90 – FAPLAs 47th Brigade shattered as Operation Moduler continues](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/c78c77c47725) (2023-01-29, 23 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1273671_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 89 – Mirages, MiGs, missiles & the Lomba River tango to the death](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/f96022469c01) (2023-01-23, 24 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1271488_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 88 – Operation Moduler begins with T54/55s taking on Ratels at the Lomba](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/18739ef49cae) (2023-01-15, 24 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1268921_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 87 –Crocodiles attack Recces and the Lomba River heavy metal clash looms](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/12dd3ef109f3) (2023-01-08, 25 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1266997_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 86 – The SAAF harried in Angola and Soviets import arms from Afghanistan](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/7c15da1956fd) (2023-01-02, 21 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1266116_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 85 – Small teams missions behind enemy lines and the courage of 7 Med](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/598913c81629) (2022-12-25, 24 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1265477_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 84 - FAPLA renew their offensive against UNITA at Mavinga](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/39655652acf5) (2022-12-18, 20 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1264273_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 83 – The most ambitious Op involving SADF special Forces hits Namibe](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/faafc58c71da) (2022-12-11, 25 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1261968_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 82 – More Russian choppers down and 32 learns how to use SATNAV](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/108379c28b20) (2022-12-04, 21 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1259503_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 81 – The MPLA attacks UNITA and the SAAF shoots down Russian choppers](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/d0387bc80084) (2022-11-27, 19 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1256847_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 80 – An SA Navy sub damaged at the end of the failed Cabinda raid](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/cbe0c79c7dd9) (2022-11-20, 21 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1253668_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 79 – A shootout on a Cabinda beach and the capture of Cpt Wynand du Toit](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/61baadcf9050) (2022-11-13, 24 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1251048_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 78 – Operation “foreskin” and 32 runs into a SWAPO firestorm](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/cfd17b943668) (2022-11-06, 20 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1248407_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 77 – The Recces blow up locomotives and 32 Battalion dresses like UNITA](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/a170ad08dd81) (2022-10-30, 20 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1245826_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 76 – Turned SWAPO cadres, Recce pseudo-operations & Soviet air strategy](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/3cbf1d5fa028) (2022-10-23, 19 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1243034_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 75 – Russian OSA2 missile boats targeted in 1984’s Operation Nobilis](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/137c14a8d196) (2022-10-16, 21 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1239589_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 74 – FAPLA/SADF joint patrols hit a wobble & Recce Op Bouganvilia](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/75d5bc55eb3a) (2022-10-09, 21 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1236800_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 73 – A 1984 cease-fire as the SADF and FAPLA conduct joint patrols](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/46803579720a) (2022-10-02, 23 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1234262_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 72 – Cuvelai III: A Ratel destroyed by a T54 and an Impala narrow escape](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/ccd8ae631f3d) (2022-09-25, 22 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1231178_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 71 – The Battle of Cuvelai II: Bundu-bashing into Soviet T54/55s](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/26b863a2d2e2) (2022-09-18, 23 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1228319_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 70 – Operation Askari missteps at Cahama and Cuvelai](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/29961460d823) (2022-09-11, 25 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1225692_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 69 – Operation Askari begins with a reconnaissance drone](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/c9864550f951) (2022-09-05, 18 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1223096_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 68 – UNITA overruns Cangamba with SAAF help but Russia gets proactive](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/a327d21ef4d0) (2022-08-28, 20 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1220373_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 67–A rifle grenade in a ribcage, an Ionde minefield mishap and a Dragon](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/694d2caeb836) (2022-08-22, 23 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1217900_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 66 – Another MiG shot down and Russian VIPs arrive](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/20c3f1bfa076) (2022-08-14, 19 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1215187_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 65 – Ops Meebos where SWAPO AA fire downs a Puma](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/17971d5d6471) (2022-08-07, 21 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1213126_medium.m4a?p=rss
- [Episode 64 – Another Maputo raid and Hearts and Minds in the Kavango](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1556992350/38da88d07fd4) (2022-07-29, 22 min): audio https://dl.iono.fm/epi/prov_2167/epi_1210592_medium.m4a?p=rss

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