Umvoti Commando

Umvoti Commando was a Commando unit of the South African Army. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.

Umvoti Commando
Umvoti Commando emblem
Active1952-
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part ofNatal Command Group 9
Garrison/HQGreytown
Motto(s)"Popula Nostro Servire" We serve our people

History

Origin

Rifle Association

The forerunner of Umvoti Commando was a unit raised in 1949 in the Greytown district as sub unit of the Zululand Skiet Kommando under command of Captain A.W. Rossouw.

Operations

With the UDF

Umvoti Commando was named on 5 August 1952 after a requirement to split from the Zululand Skiet Kommando was approved.

With the SADF

The unit was stationed in Greytown since its beginning and moved to a purpose built HQ in 1978.

Area of responsibility

The unit was responsible for Umvoti, Kranskop, New Hannover and Msinga magisterial districts.

National Colours

The unit was awarded its National Colours on 29 June 1991.

With the SANDF
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 Umvoti Commando insignia

Leadership
  • Cmdt J.F. van Rooyen 1952-1963
  • Cmdt W.G. Redinger 1963-1966
  • Cmdt K. du Preez 1966-1967
  • Cmdt J. van Rooyen 1967-1969
  • Cmdt J Menne 1969-1971
  • Cmdt W.G. Redinger 1971-1978
  • Cmdt G.E. Lauterbach 1978-1988
  • Cmdt W.W. Fourie 1988-
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References
  1. 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)
  2. "About the Commando system". Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  3. de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.


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