Editing History of Namibia (section)

===Namibian struggle for independence===
{{Main|South African Border War}}

In 1966, [[South West Africa People's Organisation]]'s (SWAPO) military wing, the [[People's Liberation Army of Namibia]] (PLAN) began guerrilla attacks on South African forces, infiltrating the territory from bases in [[Zambia]]. The first attack of this kind was the battle at [[Omugulugwombashe]] on 26 August.<ref>{{cite news
  | author = Petronella Sibeene
  | publisher = [[New Era (Namibia)|New Era]]
  | title = Swapo Party Turns 49
  | url = http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=3769
  | date = 17 April 2009
  | access-date = 25 June 2010
  | archive-date = 7 September 2012
  | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120907183648/http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=3769
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref> After Angola became independent in 1975, SWAPO established bases in the southern part of the country. Hostilities intensified over the years, especially in Ovamboland.

In a 1971 advisory opinion, the [[International Court of Justice]] upheld UN authority over Namibia, determining that the South African presence in Namibia was illegal and that South Africa therefore was obliged to withdraw its administration from Namibia immediately. The Court also advised UN member states to refrain from implying legal recognition or assistance to the South African presence.

The summer 1971-72 saw a [[1971-72 Namibian contract workers strike|general strike of 25% of the entire working population of contract workers]] (13,000 people), starting in Windhoek and Walvis Bay and soon spreading to [[Tsumeb]] and other mines. In response to the contract system, which has been characterized close to slavery, and in support of Namibian independence.<ref>{{cite journal
|last=Rogers
|first=Barbara
|date=Spring 1972
|title=Namibia's General Strike
|journal=Africa Today
|volume=19
|issue=2
|pages=3–8
|issn=0001-9887
|jstor=4185227
}}</ref>

In 1975, South Africa sponsored the [[Turnhalle Constitutional Conference]], which sought an "internal settlement" to Namibia. Excluding SWAPO, the conference mainly included [[bantustan]] leaders as well as white Namibian political parties.<ref>[http://www.sadc.int/news/news_details.php?news_id=563 Address by the Right Honourable Nahas Angula MP, Prime minister of the Republic of Namibia on the occasion of the official inauguration of the SADC Tribunal House Windhoek 18 November 2005] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716072554/http://www.sadc.int/news/news_details.php?news_id=563 |date=16 July 2011 }} SADC.int</ref>