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Quiz about The Cold War Gets Hot in Africa

The Cold War Gets Hot in Africa Quiz

This Quiz deals with the Namibian War of Independence and is another example of the Cold War breaking out into open conflict

A multiple-choice quiz by Davosb. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Davosb

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
317,762

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
349

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. This conflict occurred over the independence of Namibia. Between which years was the South West African border war (Namibian War Of Independence) fought?
Hint

1970 to 1989

1972 to 1990

1969 to 1989

1970 to 1990

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Question 2 of 10

2. The war was fought between South Africa and which "Freedom" organization?

Hint

ZANLA

COSATU

ZIPRA

SWAPO

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Question 3 of 10

3. Name the foreign power which also had troops actively involved in the conflict.

Hint

Cuba

Libya

French Foreign Legion

Kenya

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Question 4 of 10

4. Who was the South African president when the war started?

Hint

Verwoerd

Swart

Vorster

Botha

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Question 5 of 10

5. The largest battle in Africa since WWII occurred during the war. What was it named? Hint

Battle of Angola

Battle of Cuito Cuanavale

Battle of Cassinga

Battle of Luanda

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Question 6 of 10

6. What did the average South African soldier refer to his uniform as?

Hint

Nutria's

Battle Pack

Camo's

Browns

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Question 7 of 10

7. What was the designation of the FN FAL 7.62mm assault rifle manufactured and used by the South African forces?

Hint

FNFAL

AKM

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Question 8 of 10

8. The war ended when South Africa accepted which UN Resolution that handed control of South West Africa over to the United Nations?

Hint

505

435

199

565

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Question 9 of 10

9. What UN Body was present in the country to oversee the independence process?

Hint

UNNAM

UNESCO

UNTAG

UNITA

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Question 10 of 10

10. The UN Commissioner for Namibia (Bernt Carlsson) was not present at the signing ceremony which was held on the 22 December 1988, because he passed away the previous day. How did he die?

Hint

His vehicle drove over a landmine

Shot and killed by rebels

Died of natural causes

Was aboard Pan Am 103 (Lockerbie Disaster)

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This conflict occurred over the independence of Namibia. Between which years was the South West African border war (Namibian War Of Independence) fought?

Answer: 1969 to 1989

This was one of Africa's longest conflicts, lasting 23 years.

2. The war was fought between South Africa and which "Freedom" organization?

Answer: SWAPO

Swapo stood for the South West African Peoples Organisation. ZANLA and ZIPRA were involved in the Rhodesian Bush war, and COSATU is a South African Trade Union.

3. Name the foreign power which also had troops actively involved in the conflict.

Answer: Cuba

The Cubans had approximately 55,000 troops based in the region by the end of the war. These were further supported by a number of Soviet advisors and troops.

4. Who was the South African president when the war started?

Answer: Swart

This is a difficult one -- President Swart was the state president from 1961 till 1969.

5. The largest battle in Africa since WWII occurred during the war. What was it named?

Answer: Battle of Cuito Cuanavale

The victor of the battle is still hotly contested till this day, but if one compares the number of men and equipment lost by each side, South Africa was clearly the victor -- 31 SA Defence Force casualties versus over 4,000 Angolan and Cuban dead.

6. What did the average South African soldier refer to his uniform as?

Answer: Browns

As any conscript in the SA Army would know!

7. What was the designation of the FN FAL 7.62mm assault rifle manufactured and used by the South African forces?

Answer: R1

The R1 (Republic 1) was an extremely powerful weapon but was heavy (and long). It was later replaced by the R4 (5.56mm).

8. The war ended when South Africa accepted which UN Resolution that handed control of South West Africa over to the United Nations?

Answer: 435

There were a number of jokes attributed to what the numbers referred to.

9. What UN Body was present in the country to oversee the independence process?

Answer: UNTAG

UNTAG -- United Nations Territorial Assistance Group.

10. The UN Commissioner for Namibia (Bernt Carlsson) was not present at the signing ceremony which was held on the 22 December 1988, because he passed away the previous day. How did he die?

Answer: Was aboard Pan Am 103 (Lockerbie Disaster)

The South African Foreign Affairs Minister narrowly missed taking the same flight - a fact that may surprise even fellow South Africans.

Source: Author Davosb

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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