· Role of armed struggle towards the liberation of Namibia

·         Role of armed struggle towards the liberation of Namibia

·         The warrior tradition had also been a factor in the Namibian struggle for independence. Armed struggle was led by SW APO (South West Africa People's Organization) against the illegal South African administration in South West Africa (or Namibia). The struggle began in 1966 after fruitless years of non-violent protest.

·         Through militancy they mobilized contract workers with an objective to end contract labour system

·         They mobilized SWANU and OPO leaders before the united together to drop the ethnic prefix. Leaders likeToivo Herman Ja Toivo, Mburumba Kerina and Jarire Tundu Kozoguizi and many chiefs joined the armed struggle against colonial rule.

·         With armed struggle assistance was got from sending men abroad for training in Zambia, Tanzania, Algeria, Egypt and USSR.

·         Received support from many political organization in the north and non- Ovambo peasant and workers in the towns.

·         Many women and youth were inaugurated in armed struggle.

·         Through armed struggle African realized that they could win independence through support from many African states.

·         With armed struggle, SWAPO forces in exile (Angola) in 1980's continued to bear the brunt of extension of the war deeper into the country, with economic and strategic installations as the new targets. Twice in April 1980, SW APO troop blew up the electricity supply live from Ruacana, plunging half of the country, including Windhoek into darkness.

·         From 1980's the western world and South Africa were worried of events in Namibia as they influenced South Africa to lay plans for a free Namibia.

·         With armed struggle the Cuban Communist factor became important. At the same time Angola and the frontline states and OAU member states were willing to assist the total liberation of Namibia through armed struggle.