QUESTION 2: WHAT ROLE DID FOREIGN POWERS PLAY IN THE BATTLE OF CUITO CUANavale? Study Sources 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D and answer the questions that follow - NSC History - Question 2 - 2018 - Paper 1

Vorster defended South Africa’s involvement in Angola mainly to safeguard national interests. He aimed to prevent the MPLA from gaining control, thereby stopping the spread of communism and ensuring that Southern Africa remained free from foreign dominance. Vorster likely believed that a stronger South African presence in Angola would help secure vital resources and maintain regional stability.

According to the source, South Africa's main reasons for intervening in Angola included stopping the spread of communism, preserving its own water resources, and preventing the MPLA from taking full control of Angola. These motivations highlight the geopolitical concerns South Africa had during the Cold War era.

The two African leaders who welcomed South Africa's support of the FNLA and UNITA, as indicated in the source, were Kenneth Kaunda, the President of Zambia, and Mobutu Sese Seko, the President of Zaire.

South Africa perceived its involvement in Angola as crucial for maintaining its security and regional influence. The intervention was justified as a means to prevent the MPLA from establishing a government aligned with Soviet interests, which could threaten South Africa's stability. Additionally, supporting groups like UNITA aligned with broader anti-communist sentiments prevalent during the Cold War.

The two organisations that prevented the SADF from capturing Cuito Cuanavale were SWAPO and the ANC. These groups played significant roles in mobilising resistance against the South African Defence Force (SADF) during the conflict.

Communism, in the context of the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, refers to a political ideology advocating for a classless society where resources and property are communally owned. During this battle, it was perceived as a threat to capitalism and Western-aligned governments, leading to increased tensions in Angola and Southern Africa.

Nelson Mandela's statement implies that the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale symbolised a collective struggle against colonialism and imperialism in Africa. It underscored the importance of African unity in confronting external threats and marked a critical moment in the liberation movements across the continent, reinforcing the idea that the fight against apartheid in South Africa was part of a larger continental struggle.

Source 2C depicts the South African forces as 'winners' in the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, suggesting they achieved their military objectives. In contrast, Source 2D presents a more nuanced view, indicating that despite military efforts, South Africa ultimately faced significant resistance and setbacks, leading to a failure to capture Cuito Cuanavale, thereby framing the battle more as a defeat or a critical challenge to their objectives.

Foreign powers played a substantial role in the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale by providing military and logistical support to local movements. The Soviet Union and Cuba supported the MPLA against South Africa and its allies, who were backed by the U.S. and other Western nations. This conflict highlighted the global nature of the Cold War, with both sides utilizing Angola as a proxy battleground. The involvement of these foreign powers ultimately influenced the outcome of the battle, marking it as a pivotal moment in the struggle for independence in Southern Africa.