Senekal Commando
Senekal 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.
Senekal Commando | |
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![]() Senekal Commando emblem | |
Active | 1900 - 2003 |
Country | ![]() |
Allegiance |
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Branch | |
Type | Infantry |
Role | Light Infantry |
Size | One Battalion |
Part of | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve, Group 36 |
Garrison/HQ | Senekal |
History
Origin
This unit started as a subunit of the Winburg Commando around 1900.
With the Orange Free State Republic
After the battle of Paardekraal, the Senekal Commando joined up with General de Wet. On 4 April 1900, they defeated a British column near Mostertshoek. This was followed by a siege of Brabant`s Horse at Jammersberg.
The last major battle was at Biddulphsberg on 29 May 1900 when this commando took positions in the mountains between Senekal to Ficksburg.
With the UDF
By 1902 all Commando remnants were under British military control and disarmed.
By 1912, however previous Commando members could join shooting associations.
By 1940, such commandos were under control of the National Reserve of Volunteers.
These commandos were formally reactivated by 1948.
![](../I/UDF_era_National_Reserve_of_Volunteers_shoulder_tab.jpg.webp)
Under the SADF
In this era, the commando was utilised primarily for area force protection.
This unit fell under the command of Group 36.
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 |
1900 | Commandant A.I. de Villiers | nd |
1901 | Commandant S.G. Vilonel | nd |
From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
- Kommandant J.J. Human 1973
See also
References
- 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.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
- "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.
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) |
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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 | |
South African Army Units | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Divisions and Brigades |
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Armoured Formation (SAAAF) |
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Infantry Formation (SAAIF) |
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Artillery Formation |
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Air Defence Artillery Formation |
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Engineer Formation |
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Training Formation |
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Support Formation |
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Signals Formation |
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Disbanded or Amalgamated Units |
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