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Drakensberg Commando

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Drakensberg Commando
Drakensberg Commando emblem
Founded1961 (63 years ago) (1961)
DisbandedFebruary 14, 2023 (21 months ago) (2023-02-14)
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve, Group 11 and Group 27
Garrison/HQNewcastle

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.

History

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Origins

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The Drakensberg Commando was raised in 1961 in Newcastle as a company of the Dundee Commando.

Operations

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With the SADF

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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

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Disbandment
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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

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SADF era Drakensberg Commando insignia

Leadership

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Leadership
From Honorary Colonels To
From Commanding Officers To
From Regimental Sergeants Major To

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  3. ^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.

See also

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