Drakensberg Commando

Drakensberg Commando
Drakensberg Commando emblem
Active 1961-2006
Country  South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
Type Infantry
Role Light Infantry
Size One Battalion
Part of South African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve, Group 11 and Group 27
Garrison/HQ Newcastle

Drakensberg Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.

History

Origins

The Drakensberg Commando was raised in 1961 in Newcastle as a company of the Dundee Commando. The unit became a fully fledged unit by August 1964. The unit was fell initially under the command of Group 11 until that Group HQ was disbanded and then resorted under command of Group 27 in Eshowe.

Operations

A company of this unit did border duty in South West Africa in 1976. The units also saw duty in the internal unrest of northern Natal.

Disbandment

This unit, along with all other Commando units was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units.[1][2] The Commando system was phased out between 2003 and 2008 "because of the role it played in the apartheid era", according to the Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula.[3]

Unit Insignia

SADF era Drakensberg Commando insignia

Leadership

Leadership
From Honorary Colonels To
From Commanding Officers To
From Regimental Sergeants Major To

References

  1. ↑ Col L B van Stade, Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  2. ↑ "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 2007-12-06. Retrieved 2008-01-17.
  3. ↑ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015. (Subscription required (help)).

See also


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