How the MPLA Victory Affected South Africa
Failure
by South Africa to prevent socialist MPLA from coming to power in
Angola wreaked havoc on South Africa's prestige and esteem among
Western countries. But how exactly was South Africa affected?
South Africa intervened in Angola at the very crucial moment when its
detente with some moderate Black African states was at its initial
stage. The little rapprochement there was between South Africa and
Black Africa abruptly foundered.
Even the pro-Western President
Houphouet-Boigny of the Ivory Coast called off relations with South
Africa. The Organisation of African Unity called South Africa all sorts
of bad names.
Western countries that hitherto had regarded South Africa as the
custodian of white supremacy in Africa had their confidence washed
away. Western investors began to be apprehensive that South Africawas
not powerful enough to subdue even poorly trained guerrillas.
Consequently, Western investment in South Africa suffered a substantial
decline.
Western countries especially France and the United States were very
disappointed with South Africa's impotence to defeat the Cuban troops
in Angola. Hence, the West became increasingly reluctant to sell
military equipment to the defeated South Africa. According to the West,
South Africa did not summon up its military capability to the maximum
to prevent Angola one of Africa's potentially richest countries - from
falling under communist influence.
National Movements and New States in Africa