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 | |
| Active | 1952- |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light Infantry |
| Size | One Battalion |
| Part of | Natal Command Group 9 |
| Garrison/HQ | Greytown |
| Motto(s) | "Popula Nostro Servire" We serve our people |
History edit
Origin edit
Rifle Association edit
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 edit
With the UDF edit
Umvoti Commando was named on 5 August 1952 after a requirement to split from the Zululand Skiet Kommando was approved.
With the SADF edit
The unit was stationed in Greytown since its beginning and moved to a purpose built HQ in 1978.
Area of responsibility edit
The unit was responsible for Umvoti, Kranskop, New Hannover and Msinga magisterial districts.
National Colours edit
The unit was awarded its National Colours on 29 June 1991.
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
- 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-
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". 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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