Stellaland Commando

Stellaland Commando
Active 1899-2006
Disbanded 21 January 2006
Country  South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
Type Infantry
Role Light Infantry
Size One Battalion
Part of South African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQ Vryburg

Stellaland 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

Stellaland Commando can trace its origins back to the declaration of the state of Stellaland.

Anglo Boer War

The Stellaland Commando was originally mobilised on 21 October 1899 to relieve Kuruman from British occupation.

By May 1900 however Vryburg was itself occupied by the British and the Stellaland Commando withdrew to form up with the Bloemhof Commando. Stellaland then became involved in a guerilla war and this resulted in the British policy of scorched earth in the region where many homesteads in and around Vryburg bore testimony to the onslaught.

During the guerilla phase of the Anglo Boer War, four members of the commando paid the highest price:

  • Johannes Kuhn
  • Hermanus Kuhn
  • Johannes Jansen
  • Hermanus Rautenbach

Border War

During the Border War in South West Africa, the Stellaland Commando combined with commandos such as Kalahari, Bloemhof, Christiana, Schweizer-Reneke and De la Ray to form a operational company that was deployed to the Owamboland region.

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]

SADF era Unit Insignia

Leadership

Leadership
From Honorary Colonels To
From Commanding Officers To
1945 Cmdt P.D. Haasbroek c. 1951
16 October 1972 Cmdt R.F. de V du Plessis c. 20 October 1981
c. 2000 Lt Col Dick Wheeler c. 2003
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". 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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