Ondangwa (also called Ondangua) was the main forward base and centre of South African Air Force (SAAF) air operations in Angola, and home to 53 Battalion amongst others, during the so-called "Border War" or "Bushwar".

Its existence is and never was a mystery as the above post would imply.

The SAAF's Mirage IIICZ's were (also) based at Ondangwa since the much shorter runways at other bases were of no use to a heavily laden Mirage III. This explains the long runways.

Implying that South African troops were never deployed in Angola is incorrect, even if meant to be a sarcastic jibe. It is true, though, that South African involvement was initially denied. Even if the general South African population were (initially) not aware of their country being at "war" (the rest of the world - and the USA in particular � knew), the realisation very soon dawned upon them.

South African support of UNITA is well documented. As is the support provided by the USA and China, and a number of other African countries. While these countries were never actively involved in the "war", South Africa was, starting with the now infamous Operation Savannah during which the Battle of Bridge 14 was fought.

Also see: Angola and South West Africa: A Forgotten War (1975 - 1989).

Taking into consideration the inference to Cuban and Russian involvement in Angola, it is well known that Angola enjoyed support from most of the Eastern Bloc countries. It is also known that "... whilst most of the west was still fighting a theoretical Cold War, South African forces were facing the latest Soviet weapons technology in the African forests and savannahs. Mirage 23's and Mi-24 Hinds backed by the entire SAM series from SA-1's to SA-18, against ageing Mirage F1 fighters and Buccaneers..." - Unknown.

I presume the reference to a town called "X" refers to Xangongo (which was attacked a number of times during the war), one of a number of towns devastated by the combined South African/South West African Security Forces during "Operation Protea" launched on August 23, 1981. The major South African military objectives at the time being the destruction of SWAPO's command and training centre at Xangongo and the destruction of SWAPO's logistic bases at Xangongo and Ongiva.

More about Xangongo can be found here, here, here and here..

Again, no mystery.