Kalahari Commando
Kalahari Commando | |
---|---|
![]() Kalahari Commando emblem | |
Country | ![]() |
Allegiance | |
Branch | |
Type | Infantry |
Role | Light Infantry |
Size | One Battalion |
Part of | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve, Group 21 |
Garrison/HQ | Vryburg |
Engagements | 1914-1915 SWA Campaign |
Kalahari 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
Origin
![]() | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (March 2015) |
Operations
With the SADF
Although mainly used for area protection in the Western Transvaal, this commando together with Stellaland, Bloemhof, Christiana, Schweizer-Reneke and De La Rey Commandos formed a joint operational company that was deployed to the Owamboland region in South West Africa.
The unit resorted under the command of Group 21.
With the SANDF
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 Kalahari Commando insignia](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/SADF_era_Kalahari_Commando_insignia.jpg/500px-SADF_era_Kalahari_Commando_insignia.jpg)
Leadership
From | Honorary Colonels | To |
From | Commanding Officer | To |
From | Regimental Sergeant Major | To |
References
- ^ 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.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
- ^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.