Oribi Commando
Oribi Commando | |
---|---|
Disbanded | c. 2003 |
Country | South Africa |
Allegiance | |
Branch | |
Type | Infantry |
Role | Light Infantry |
Size | Battalion |
Part of | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve |
Garrison/HQ | Port Shepstone |
Oribi 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[edit]
Origins[edit]
Oribi commando was raised in 1979 and took responsibility for the area originally allocated to Charlie Company of South Coast Commando.
With the SADF[edit]
This area stretched from Karridene to Port Edward and inland to the Highflats area. Its headquarters was originally based at Winkelspruit.
A new headquarters in Marburg, Port Shepstone was occupied in 1980.
The commando consisted of the following:
- Alpha company: essentially national servicemen who formed the reaction unit
- Bravo company: volunteers from Umkomaas and Scottburgh
- Charlie company: volunteers from Hibberdene, Port Shepstone and Paddock
- Delta company: volunteers from Shell Beach, Margate and Port Edward
Reaction Force[edit]
This commando was home to a full-time reaction force for the southern part of natal and as a result the commando was essentially deployed on an ongoing basis during the period of unrest.
National Colours[edit]
This unit received its national Colours on 11 August 1990.
With the SANDF[edit]
Disbandment[edit]
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[edit]
Leadership[edit]
From | Commanding Officers | To |
1979 | Major J.J Gerber | 1980 |
1980 | Cmdt L. Palmer | 1991 |
1991 | Cmdt A.R. Lotter | 1993 |
1993 | Lt Col C.J.M. Stoltz | nd |
From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
1979 | WO2 R. Frampton MMM JCD | 1982 |
1982 | WO2 R.E. Johnson MMM JCD | 1987 |
1987 | WO2 J.G.K. Louw MMM JCD | 1987 |
1987 | WO2 P.A.J. Griffith MMM JCD | nd |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ 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.
South African Commandos | |
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Group 1 (HQ Kelvin) | |
Group 2 (HQ Oudtshoorn) |
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Group 3 (collapsed into other groups) | |
Group 4 (collapsed into other groups) | |
Group 5 (collapsed into other groups) | |
Group 6 (HQ Port Elizabeth) | |
Group 7 (HQ Grahamstown) |
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Group 8 (HQ East London) | |
Group 9 (HQ Pietermaritzburg) |
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Group 10 (HQ Montclair, Durban) | |
Group 11 (HQ Dundee) | |
Group 12 (HQ Ermelo) | |
Group 13 (collapsed into other groups) | |
Group 14 (HQ Pietersburg) |
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Group 15 (HQ Thaba Tshwane) | |
Group 16 (HQ Marievale) |
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Group 17 (HQ Midvaal) | |
Group 18 (HQ Doornkop) | |
Group 19 (collapsed into other groups) | |
Group 20 (HQ Mmabatho) | |
Group 21 (collapsed into other groups) | |
Group 22 (HQ Diskobolos) | |
Group 23 (HQ Upington) | |
Group 24 (HQ Kroonstad) | |
Group 25 (HQ Bethlehem) | |
Group 26 (HQ, Jacobsdal) | |
Group 27 (HQ Eshowe) | |
Group 28 (collapsed into other groups) | |
Group 29 (collapsed into other groups) | |
Group 30 (HQ Potchefstroom) | |
Group 31 (HQ Wellington) | |
Group 32 (HQ Graaff-Reinet) | |
Group 33 (HQ Nelspruit) | |
Group 34 (HQ Welkom) | |
Group 35 (HQ Bloemfontein) | |
Group 36 (HQ Tempe/Ladybrand) |
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Group 39 (HQ Queenstown) | |
Group 40 (HQ Wingsfield) | |
Group 41 (HQ Primrose) | |
Group 42 (HQ Lenz) |
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Group 46 (HQ Umtata) |
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Walvis Bay Military Area | |
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