Regiment Piet Retief

World War 2 Mobilisation

This regiment was founded on 1 February 1940 as a citizen force infantry unit and named the Piet Retief Regiment, with the main purpose to supply troops for the Second World War. On 16 March 1940, the regiment was reorganized as an artillery unit renamed the 5th Field Regiment taking part in the Second World War as such.

Post World War

After the Second World War, the 5th Field became virtually non existent, however some years later the remnants of the regiment was renamed to Regiment Algoa Bay, of which its Uitenhage company became known as Regiment Uitenhage at a later stage.

Rebirth of Regiment Piet Retief

On 1 January 1954, Regiment Piet Retief was re-established as a predominantly Afrikaans speaking motorized infantry citizen force regiment with its headquarters in Graaff-Reinet. In 1956 the HQ moved to Cradock and in 1962 it moved to the Drill Hall in Queenstown. During 1987 the HQ moved to Port Elizabeth, where it is still based.

Numerous Name changes

In 1960 the regiment’s name was changed to Regiment Transkei (RTK), but by 1966, this was changed to Regiment Noordoos-Kaap (RNOK) and by 1 April 1967 the name was again changed back to Regiment Piet Retief (RPR).

Colours

On 22 November 1969, the regiment received its Regimental Colours and changed its role to that of an infantry CO.IN(counter insurgency) unit.

On 19 May 1990 the unit received its National Colour, which was laid up at the Group 39 chapel in Queenstown in 1995.

Command

On 11 November 1994, the regiment was placed under command of Group 39 in Queenstown, after being under command of Group 6 in Port Elizabeth for a number of years.

On 1 April 1997 the regiment was again placed under command of Group 6, after the closure of Group 39.

Amalgamation

During the latter part of 2000, Regiment Algoa Bay, Regiment Uitenhage and Donkin Regiment were amalgamated with Regiment Piet Retief. A new command team was appointed by the Infantry Formation. Regiment Piet Retief was then placed directly under command of the Infantry Formation.

Leadership Transformation

In 2009, the regiment appointed its first black unit second in command, Lt V.P Mbali who acted in the post until 2011 when he was also promoted to the substantive rank of Maj. The same year WO1 A. M. Xokolo became the first black Regimental Sergeant Major.

In 2012, the regiment through succession planning appointment Lt Col V.P. Mbali as its Officer Commanding with effect from 1 June 2012 and an official ceremonial handing and taking over parade occurred on 5 November 2012.

In 2013 during the ICCC, the regiment received several accolades for outstanding service and compliance from the General Officer Commanding SA Army infantry Formation, Maj General Lindile Yam.

Future Planning

In 2014 the regiment submitted a name change request and a Freedom of the City was planned for 2015, proposing the name of the Nelson Mandela Regiment (NMR) to the Director Army Reserves.

The regiment also changed the use of the Aloe badge on the beret and now uses the generic SA Army Infantry Formation badge in line with the one force concept, keeping all other regimental regalia as standard.

Current Command

• Honorary Colonel: Col Mzwandile B. Vena
• Officer Commanding: Lt Col Vusumzi Mbali
• Second in Command: Maj Sizwe Morgan Singunza
• RSM: MWO Alfred Melubakho Xokolo

Badge

The regiments emblem depicts an Aloe (Aloe Ferox) in bloom with the motto "AD MORTEM" (till death) on the scroll beneath it. Ferox is a latin adjective meaning brave, courageous and combative, which is a fitting to an aloe, due to the difficult circumstances under which it normally has to grow and fitting to true infantrymen, due to the difficult circumstances under which they sometimes have to operate.