Senekal Commando

Last updated

Senekal Commando
SADF era Senekal Commando emblem.jpg
Senekal Commando emblem
Active1900 - 2003
DisbandedMarch 14, 2003(20 years ago) (2003-03-14)
CountryFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
Type Infantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part of South African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve, Group 36
Garrison/HQ Senekal

Senekal 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.

Contents

History

Origin

This unit started as a subunit of the Winburg Commando around 1900.

Operations

With the Orange Free State Republic

After the battle of Paardekraal, the Senekal Commando joined up with General de Wet. On 4 April 1900, they defeated a British column near Mostertshoek. This was followed by a siege of Brabant`s Horse at Jammersberg.

The last major battle was at Biddulphsberg on 29 May 1900 when this commando took positions in the mountains between Senekal to Ficksburg.

With the UDF

By 1902 all Commando remnants were under British military control and disarmed.

By 1912, however previous Commando members could join shooting associations.

By 1940, such commandos were under control of the National Reserve of Volunteers.

These commandos were formally reactivated by 1948.

UDF era National Reserve of Volunteers shoulder tab UDF era National Reserve of Volunteers shoulder tab.jpg
UDF era National Reserve of Volunteers shoulder tab

Under the SADF

In this era, the commando was utilised primarily for area force protection.

This unit fell under the command of Group 36.

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

Leadership

Leadership
FromHonorary ColonelsTo
FromCommanding OfficersTo
1900Commandant A.I. de Villiersnd
1901Commandant S.G. Vilonelnd
FromRegimental Sergeants MajorTo

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandfort Commando</span> Military unit

Brandfort 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carolina Commando</span> Military unit

Carolina 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ficksburg Commando</span> Military unit

Ficksburg 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frankfort Commando</span> Military unit

Frankfort 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heilbron Commando</span> Military unit

Heilbron 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wolmaransstad Commando</span> Military unit

Wolmaransstad 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winburg Commando</span> Military unit

Winburg 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wepener Commando</span> Military unit

Wepener 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rustenburg Commando</span> Military unit

Rustenburg 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smithfield Commando</span> Military unit

Smithfield 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rouxville Commando</span> Military unit

Rouxville 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hoopstad Commando</span> Military unit

Hoopstad 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krugersdorp Commando</span> Military unit

Krugersdorp Commando or Kommando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army. It was active as a part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ladybrand Commando</span> Military unit

Ladybrand 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lichtenburg Commando</span> Light infantry regiment of the South African Army

Lichtenburg 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lydenburg Commando</span> Military unit

Lydenburg 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Middelburg Commando</span> Military unit

Middelburg 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phillipolis Commando</span> Military unit

Philipolis 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Potchefstroom Commando</span> Military unit

Potchefstroom 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boksburg Commando</span> Military unit

Boksburg 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.

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.{{cite web}}: 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.