Drakensberg Commando
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.
| Drakensberg Commando | |
|---|---|
 Drakensberg Commando emblem | |
| Founded | 1961 |
| Disbanded | February 14, 2023 |
| 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 |
History
Origins
The Drakensberg Commando was raised in 1961 in Newcastle as a company of the Dundee Commando.
Operations
With the SADF
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.
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.
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
Leadership
| From | Honorary Colonels | To |
| From | Commanding Officers | To |
| From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
References
- ^ van Stade, Col L B (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". Senior Staff Officer Rationalisation, SANDF. Institute for Security Studies. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
- ^ "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.
See also
Lua error in mw.title.lua at line 346: bad argument #2 to 'title.new' (unrecognized namespace name 'Portal').
 | This South African military article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |