Oribi Commando
| Oribi Commando | |
|---|---|
 Oribi Commando shoulder flash | |
| Disbanded | c. 2003 |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light Infantry |
| Size | Battalion |
| Part of | South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve |
| Garrison/HQ | Port Shepstone |
Oribi 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
[edit]Origins
[edit]Oribi commando was raised in 1979 and took responsibility for the area originally allocated to Charlie Company of South Coast Commando.
With the SADF
[edit]This area stretched from Karridene to Port Edward and inland to the Highflats area. Its headquarters was originally based at Winkelspruit.
A new headquarters in Marburg, Port Shepstone was occupied in 1980.
The commando consisted of the following:
- Alpha company: essentially national servicemen who formed the reaction unit
- Bravo company: volunteers from Umkomaas and Scottburgh
- Charlie company: volunteers from Hibberdene, Port Shepstone and Paddock
- Delta company: volunteers from Shell Beach, Margate and Port Edward
Reaction Force
[edit]This commando was home to a full-time reaction force for the southern part of natal and as a result the commando was essentially deployed on an ongoing basis during the period of unrest.
National Colours
[edit]This unit received its national Colours on 11 August 1990.
With the SANDF
[edit]Disbandment
[edit]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
[edit]
Leadership
[edit]| From | Commanding Officers | To |
| 1979 | Major J.J Gerber | 1980 |
| 1980 | Cmdt L. Palmer | 1991 |
| 1991 | Cmdt A.R. Lotter | 1993 |
| 1993 | Lt Col C.J.M. Stoltz | nd |
| From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
| 1979 | WO2 R. Frampton MMM JCD | 1982 |
| 1982 | WO2 R.E. Johnson MMM JCD | 1987 |
| 1987 | WO2 J.G.K. Louw MMM JCD | 1987 |
| 1987 | WO2 P.A.J. Griffith MMM JCD | nd |
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ 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.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "About the Commando system". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
- ^ de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'". Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
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