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.
| Pongola Commando | |
|---|---|
 Pongola Commando emblem | |
| Disbanded | February 14, 2003 |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light Infantry |
| Size | One Battalion |
| Part of | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve |
| Garrison/HQ | Pongola |
History
editOrigin
editThis unit was created by merging the Pongola Company of the Piet Retief Commando with the North Coast Commando on 17 October 1970.[1]
Operations
editWith the SADF
editUnder 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
editDisbandment
editThis 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
edit
Leadership
edit| 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
edit- ^ 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
edit
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