7 South African Infantry Battalion

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7 South African Infantry Battalion
SADF 7 SAI emblem.png
7 SAI Emblem
Active1 October 1973 to present
CountryFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
BranchFlag of the South African Army.svg  South African Army
TypeMotorised infantry
Part of South African Infantry Formation
Garrison/HQ Phalaborwa, Limpopo
Motto(s)Tenacuter (Perseverance)
Commanders
First Commanding OfficerCommandant Eddie Webb
Insignia
Company level insignia SA Army Company Insignia.png
SA Motorised Infantry beret bar circa 1992
SA Motorised Infantry beret bar SA motorised infantary beret bar.jpg
SA Motorised Infantry beret bar

7 South African Infantry Battalion is a motorised infantry unit of the South African Army.

Contents

History

Origin

1973: 7 SAI was established on 1 October, at Bourke's Luck, Eastern Transvaal (Mpumalanga) by Commandant Eddie Webb. [1] 1974:The first national servicemen began training in 1974. [1]

1980: 7 SAI is relocated to Phalaborwa in the eastern part of the province of Limpopo. [1]

Angola Bush War Deployment

1983: The July intake's training phase was shortened to accommodate a need to deploy a company for Operation Askari and Sector 10. This company would deploy with 101 Battalion in a reaction force role.

1984: a Company was stationed at Rundu for reaction force duties under the command of 202 Battalion for 6 months, whereafter they were posted to Nepara for a further 6-month deployment. After a period of leave they were posted back to Nepara for a third time, spending their 40 celebration on the 17/30 cutline in a fox camp (BF). Members of this company eventually joined the 905/6 reaction force duties. Bravo company was also involved in operations to capture SWAPO radio operators using two modified Ratel's fitted with radio direction-finding equipment named Pointer and Spotter.

1987: August intake of 7 SAI's Alpha Company, was deployed to the operational area of Cuito Cuanavale, Angola in 1988 under the command of a Captain G.P. Butler. Alpha Company consisted of five infantry platoons as well as an 81 mm (3.2 in) mortar platoon and was deployed to the eastern side of the Cuito River (a tributary of the Okavango River) for a period of 1 month. During its time of deployment, various platoons were allocated as mechanised infantry (in Ratels) while the remainder formed a base camp sending out roving patrols in the area. [2]

After a month of deployment in Angola, the peace accords were signed and Alpha Company returned to a base camp in Rundu, South West Africa.

South West Africa / Namibia

1989: during the UNTAG deployment in South West Africa/Namibia, Alpha Company provided base defence for the town of Oshakati with some of its platoons participating in the various counter insurgency operations against the PLAN infiltration that occurred during this time. [2]

Post Apartheid

7 SAI changed from a training unit to a rear area protection unit when 113 Battalion became part of the unit.

113 Battalion which was merged with 7 SAI SADF 113 Battalion emblem.png
113 Battalion which was merged with 7 SAI

1994: 7 SAI became part of the Rapid Deployment Force during November.

Lesotho intervention

1998: 7 SAI took part in Operation Boleas in Lesotho to restore order after an army coup. [1]

Burundi

2002: 7 SAI took part in the UN/AU peace mission, Operation Fibre to restore stability in Burundi. [1]

Under the Infantry Formation

2002: 7 SAI was placed under the command of the South African Army Infantry Formation as a motorised infantry unit. [3]

The SANDF's Motorised Infantry is transported mostly by Samil trucks, Mamba APC's or other un-protected motor vehicles. Samil 20, 50 and 100 trucks transport soldiers, towing guns, and carrying equipment and supplies. Samil trucks are all-wheel drive, in order to have vehicles that function reliably in extremes of weather and terrain. Motorised infantry have an advantage in mobility allowing them to move to critical sectors of the battlefield faster, allowing better response to enemy movements, as well as the ability to outmaneuver the enemy.

Insignia

The unit's emblem is a rooikat superimposed on a Maltese cross, which is in memory of two gold crosses commissioned by the ZAR President TF Burgers and presented to two Bourkes Luck ladies for their help in caring for and nursing wounded Boer commandos during the Sekhukhune War.

Previous dress insignia

SADF era 7 SAI insignia SADF era 7 SAI insignia ver 3.jpg
SADF era 7 SAI insignia

Current dress insignia

SANDF era Infantry Formation insignia SANDF era Infantry Formation insignia.jpg
SANDF era Infantry Formation insignia

Leadership

Leadership
FromHonorary ColonelTo
FromCommanding OfficerTo
October 1973Cmdt Eddie Webb [lower-alpha 1] December 1974
January 1975Cmdt J. van Niekerk [lower-alpha 2] May 1977
June 1977Cmdt J.F. Gouws [lower-alpha 2] December 1978
January 1979Cmdt H.J. Schultz [lower-alpha 2] December 1981
January 1982Cmdt W. Swanepoel [lower-alpha 2] January 1988
January 1988Cmdt J.E. Rabe [lower-alpha 2] April 1988
May 1988Cmdt J.M.P. Wessels18 September 2024
18 September 2024Cmdt Werner Sott18 September 2024
1994Lt Col Daan Van Der Merwe1997
18 September 2024Lt Col Barnard18 September 2024
18 September 2024Lt Col Tjaart Van Der Walt18 September 2024
2005Lt Col Mabotja18 September 2024
2009Lt Col Khathutshelo Nethononda18 September 2024
2013Lt Col Andrew Matlaila18 September 2024
2017Lt Col Tilsetso Sekgobela18 September 2024
FromRegimental Sergeants MajorTo
October 1973WO1 V. ColemanDecember 1974
January 1975WO1 A.J. HattinghDecember 1977
January 1978WO1 J.H. MilehamDecember 1979
January 1980WO1 J.F. Somers PMM December 1982
January 1983WO1 J.H. Steenekamp HC PMM November 1986
December 1986WO1 J.J. PretoriusJuly 1988
December 1989WO1 L. Brooke MMM JCD July 1994
August 1988WO1 J.J. Quintin Lategan MMM 18 September 2024
18 September 2024WO1 James Blom18 September 2024
1 January 1994WO1 Dirk PrinsJanuary 1999
18 September 2024WO1 Chinainai18 September 2024
18 September 2024WO1 Jr Raath18 September 2024

Notes

  1. Later Brigadier General
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Later Colonel

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Fact file: 7 SA Infantry Battalion". defenceWeb. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  2. 1 2 Griffiths, P.B. Corporal PB Griffiths, 83344937, Alpha Company Mortar Platoon, Aug 1987 intake. unpublished interview.
  3. SA Soldier, January 2003, p.37