Xangongo

Coordinates: 16°44′48″S 14°58′29″E / 16.74667°S 14.97472°E / -16.74667; 14.97472
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Xangongo
UTC+1 (WAT)
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Xangongo (pre-1975: Vila Roçadas) is a town, with a population of 35,000 (2014),[2] and a commune in the municipality of Ombadja, province of Cunene, Angola.

It is also the seat of that municipality and is located at around 16°44′48″S 14°58′29″E / 16.74667°S 14.97472°E / -16.74667; 14.97472. It was also the site of considerable fighting in the war for the independence of Namibia (Southwest Africa) and the Angolan Civil War.

Xangongo and SWAPO

Xangongo was the headquarters of

SADF Special Forces and the town was held for many years by South Africa.[3] At the end of the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale the Fidel Castro 50th Brigade moved in and started harassing the withdrawing SADF forces, triggering Operation Excite/Hilti.[4] In response to this harassment the SADF mobilized 81 Armoured Brigade in Operation Desert Fox, designed to neutralize the Cuban 50th Division,[5] but this was not necessary because of the successful negotiations that ended the South African involvement in the Angolan Civil War.[3]

Transport

The area is served by Xangongo Airport.

References

  1. ^ Citypopulation.de Population of provinces and communes in angola
  2. ^ Citypopulation.de Population of cities & urban localities in Angola
  3. ^ a b Turton, A.R. 2010. Shaking Hands with Billy. Durban: Just Done Publications. http://www.shakinghandswithbilly.com
  4. ^ Nortje, P. 2003. 32 Battalion. Cape Town: Struik Publishers.
  5. ^ Ramsden, Tim. 2009. Border-Line Insanity: A National Serviceman’s Story. Alberton: Galago.