Southern Africa Liberation Day is a public holiday in Angola, and it is observed on March 23 each year. The holiday commemorates the end of the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale in 1988.
The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale was fought at the town of Cuito Cuanavale, Angola between the People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola (FAPLA), aided by Cuba, USSR, Vietnam, PR Congo, and SWAPO, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), aided by South Africa.
The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale started on August 14, 1987, and ended on March 23, 1988. It was the largest armed engagement and the biggest battle on the African continent after World War II.
Both sides claimed victory after the battle. FAPLA and its allies were able to hold their defenses around Cuito Cuanavale, while UNITA and its South African allies were able to defend the initial FAPLA offensive. The battle made it possible for the later negotiation to secure the withdrawal of South African and Cuban troops from Namibia and Angola, and it is regarded as one of the turning points in Southern Africa's history.
The following is the list of Southern Africa Liberation Day in Angola from 2022 to 2026.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Africa Liberation Day | Mar 23, 2022 | Wednesday |
| Southern Africa Liberation Day | Mar 23, 2023 | Thursday |
| Southern Africa Liberation Day | Mar 23, 2024 | Saturday |
| Southern Africa Liberation Day | Mar 23, 2025 | Sunday |
| Southern Africa Liberation Day | Mar 23, 2026 | Monday |
Please check more public holidays in Angola:
