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The Namibian War of Independence, also known as the South African Border War, which lasted from 1966 to 1988, was a guerrilla war, which the nationalist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) and others, fought against the apartheid government in South Africa. South Africa had administered what was then still known as South West Africa since it captured the German territory during World War I. In 1966 the United Nations General Assembly revoked South Africa's mandate to govern South-West African territory and declared that it was under direct UN administration. South Africa refused to recognize this resolution and continued to administer the territory de facto. On August 26, 1966, SWAPO guerilla forces launched an attack against the South African Defence Force at Omugulugwombashe. It was the first armed battle in the Namibian struggle for independence. In commemoration of the day, August 26 is a public holiday in Namibia. It is recognized by the United Nations as Namibia Day but Namibians refer to it as Heroes' Day. The war ended with the independence of Namibia on 21 March 1990 and elections which saw SWAPO win 55 of 72 seats in the National Assembly of Namibia, enabling them to form a national government. |