Pongola Commando
Republic of South Africa
Republic of South Africa
South African Army
South African Army
Army Territorial Reserve
Pongola Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army and was based in the town of Pongola. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.
History
Origin
This unit was created by merging the Pongola Company of the Piet Retief Commando with the North Coast Commando on 17 October 1970.[1]
Operations
With the SADF
Under the SADF, the unit was mainly engaged in area force protection, search and cordones as well as stock theft control assistance to the rural police.
During severe Tropical Storm Domoina in 1984, the unit provided civil protection support through establishing a communication network, by distributing much needed food and emergency supplies, and a range of other civil defence measures.[1]
With the SANDF
Disbandment
This unit, along with all other Commando units, was disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki.[2][3] A variety of reasons were given for the Commando system to be phased out between 2003 and 2008. This included "the role it played in the apartheid era", according to the Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula.[4]
Unit Insignia
![SADF era Pongola Commando insignia](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/SADF_era_Pongola_Commando_insignia_ver_2.jpg/500px-SADF_era_Pongola_Commando_insignia_ver_2.jpg)
Leadership
From | Honorary Colonels | To |
From | Commanding Officers | To |
1970 | Comdt N.J. Robertse | 1978 |
1978 | Comdt J. Bezuidenhout | 1980 |
August 1980 | Comdt L.J.S. Changuion SM DTM | March 1985 |
1985 | Comdt C. Rudolph | 1989 |
1989 | Comdt D. Barnard | ? |
From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
The unit's commanding officers listed above generally held the rank of commandant.[1]
References
- ^ a b c Els, Paul (14 October 2007). "Pongola Commando". War in Angola. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
- ^ 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". Retrieved 17 January 2008.
- ^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
See also
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- GSB Oudtshoorn
- 8 x Commandos
- Oudtshoorn Commando
- Worcester Commando
- Cradock Commando
- Katberg Commando
- Murraydeen Commando
- Somerset East Commando
- Stormberg Commando
- Midland Commando, (previously Fort Beaufort Commando)
- GSB Pietermaritzburg
- 5 x Commandos
- Pietermaritzburg Commando/Natalia Regiment
- Umkomaas Commando
- Umvoti Commando
- Midmar Commando
- Weenen-Kliprivier Commando
- Griqualand-East Commando
- GSB Pietersburg
- 7 x Commandos
- Pietersburg Commando
- Limpopo Commando(SMA)
- Magdol Commando
- Soutpansberg Commando(SMA)
- Thabazimbi Commando
- Warmbad Commando
- Waterberg Commando Nylstroom
- Potgietersrus Commando
- GSB Johannesburg
- 8 x Commandos
- Delmas Commando
- Heidelberg Commando
- Nigel Commando
- Springs Commando
- GSB Kimberley
- 10 x Commandos
- 11 Commando
- Barkly West Commando
- Herbert Commando
- Hopetown Commando
- Kimberley Commando
- Karoo Commando
- Vaalharts Commando
- Victoria West Commando
- GSB Lohathla
- 7 x Commandos
- Boegoeberg Commando
- Gordonia Commando
- Kakamas Commando
- Hay Commando
- Orania Commando
- Prieska Commando
- GSB Ladysmith
- 5 x Commandos
- Drakensberg Commando
- Dundee and District Commando
- Pongola Commando
- Tugela Commando
- Insele Commando
- Northern Natal Commando
- Umkhombe Commando
- GSB Bloemfontein
- 16 x Commandos
- Caledon River Commando
- Fauresmith Commando
- Ladybrand Commando
- Senekal Commando
- Alberton Commando
- Edenvale Commando
- Modderfontein Commando
- Sandton Commando (previously West Park Commando)
- West Park Commando (renamed Sandton Commando)
- GSB Port Elizabeth
- 7 x Commandos
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