Calvinia Commando

Calvinia 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.

Calvinia Commando
Calvinia Commando
Active1898-2006
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQCalvinia

History

Origin

Calvinia Commando was one of the original Cape Colony Commandos dating from before the Anglo-Boer War.

With the UDF

As one of the Cape Commandos, this unit was not called up due to the Maritz Rebellion, but did serve against the Germans in German South West Africa from October 1914 until May 1915.

In February 1915, the Calvinia-Kenhardt Commando was formed out of the following:

  • Kenhardt Commando
  • Louw's Commando
  • Pretorius' Calvinia Commando
  • Vermaas Scouts

With the SADF

During this era, the unit was mainly used for area force protection, search and cordones as well as stock theft control assistance to the rural police.

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 Calvinia Commando insignia

Leadership
Leadership
From Honorary Colonels To
From Commanding Officer To
From Regimental Sergeant Major To

References
  1. Col L B van Stade (1997). "Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge". 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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