Having the largest and most powerful military of the region, South Africa had the means to accomplish its objectives.  Military bases in South-West Africa (Namibia) served as a useful staging ground for intervention in Angola.  In addition to its own motivations, South Africa was encouraged to intervene by the United States, who felt that they were needed to counter the Cuban and Soviet support of the MPLA.  After invitations from both UNITA and the FNLA in the early days of the civil war, South Africa made its first incursion into Angola in June of 1975. 