Swellendam Commando

Last updated

Stellenbosch Commando
SADF era Swellendam Commando emblem.jpg
Swellendam Commando emblem
Active1795 - 2002
CountryFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
Type Infantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part of South African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQ Swellendam
Motto(s)Waarheid oorwin (The truth shall win)

Swellendam 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

Origins

Batavian era

Swellendam Commando can trace its origins back to around 1795 with the Republic of Swellendam and the unsafe situation for farmers on its eastern border with Xhosa tribes.

Operations

With the Republic of Swellendam

An independent republic had been declared from the Dutch East India Company, declared with a National Assembly and Hermanus Steyn as president. It was a momentous event, but at the same time the British occupied the Cape and the new republic was called on to assist in battle. The republicans refused initially, but a commando of 70 soon left for the Cape. By 1806 with the Second British Occupation, at the Battle of Blaauwberg (6 January 1806), the Swellendam Commando again held the British off long enough for the rest of the Batavian army to retreat to safety.

With the Cape Colony

The Government dreading a Khoi rising, made peace with the Xhosas. In 1801, another rebellion began where farms were abandoned en masse, and Khoi bands under Klaas Stuurman, Hans Trompetter and Boesak carried out widespread raids. The Swellendam commando under Commandant Tjaart van der Walt, who was killed in action in June 1802, achieved no permanent result.

With the UDF

By 1940, rifle associations were under control of the National Reserve of Volunteers. These rifle associations were re-designated as commandos 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

With the SADF

During this era, the unit was mainly used for area force protection, search and cordones as well as stock theft control assistance to the rural police.

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

SADF era Swellendam Commando insignia

SADF era Swellendam Commando insignia SADF era Swellendam Commando insignia.jpg
SADF era Swellendam Commando insignia

Leadership

Leadership
FromHonorary ColonelsTo
FromCommanding OfficersTo
FromRegimental Sergeants MajorTo

Related Research Articles

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

Bultfontein 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">Caledon River Commando</span> Military unit

Caledon River 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">East London Commando</span> Military unit

East London 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">Graaff-Reinet Commando</span> Military unit

Graaff-Reinet 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">Griqualand-East Commando</span> Military unit

Griqualand East 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">Hay Commando</span> Military unit

Hay 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">Herbert Commando</span> Military unit

Herbert 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">Zastron Commando</span> Military unit

Zastron 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">Winterberg Commando</span> Military unit

Winterberg 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">Jacobsdal Commando</span> Military unit

Jacobsdal 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">Kimberley Commando</span> Military unit

Kimberley 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">Knysna Commando</span> Military unit

Knysna 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">Marico Commando</span> Military unit

Marico 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">Pietermaritzburg Commando</span> Military unit

Pietermaritzburg 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">Reitz Commando</span> Military unit

Reitz 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">Lindley Commando</span> Military unit

Lindley 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.

Northern Natal 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". Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  3. de Lange, Deon. "South Africa: Commandos Were 'Hostile to New SA'" . Cape Argus. Retrieved 5 March 2015.

See also