User:Universal Encyclopedian2/Battle of Omuguluwombashe

The Battle of Omugulugwombashe took place at the village of Omugulugwombashe on the South Africa-Namibia border on August 26, 1966 during the South African Border War (also known as the Namibian War of Independence). It was the battle which began the war, which lasted until 21 March 1990. The battle marks a significant day in Namibian history, with the start of independence, and is honored today with Heroes' Day.

The Battle
The area in which the battle took place is forested, on the western fringes of the Cuvelai Basin. A small group of poorly armed PLAN soldiers participated in a march and set up a base at the village of Omugulugwombashe, with the intention of becoming the first colonized people to fight the superpowers.

The South Africans were wise to the conspirators and sent in helicopters who killed most of them during the fight.

Participants
Participants in the battle included Commander John Nankudhu, Deputy Commander Simeon Linekela Kambo Shixungileni, Patrick Lunganda Iyambo, Victor Mensah, James Hamukwaya and Nelson Kavela who are today commemorated with statues at Omugulugwombashe. One of the surviving participants in the battle was Gaus Shikomba, who was shot and captured and taken prisoner. He was found guilty by Windhoek Supreme Court in August 1969 of conspiring to overthrow the South West African administration with the group, and was sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island. He was released on 11 May 1984.