Bloemfontein District Commando was a

light infantry Light infantry refers to certain types of lightly equipped infantry throughout history. They have a more mobile or fluid function than other types of infantry, such as heavy infantry or line infantry. Historically, light infantry often fought ...

regiment of the

South African Army The South African Army is the principal land warfare force of South Africa, a part of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), along with the South African Air Force, South African Navy and South African Military Health Service. ...

. It formed part of the South African Army Infantry Formation as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.

History

Origins

Part of the Bloemfontein City Commando

This unit's predecessor had its origin around 1848 when Andries Pretorius called up a commando of about a 1000 men from the region of Bloemfontein, Caledon River and Winburg to defend the area against British ambitions and Basotho cattle theft. The commando was reactivated formally around 1948. By 1956 however the unit was divided into two separate commandos one for the city,

Bloemfontein City Commando Bloemfontein City Commando was a light infantry regiment of the South African Army. It formed part of the South African Infantry Corps as well as the South African Territorial Reserve. History Origin With the Orange River Sovereignty On , Sir H ...

and one for the rural areas.

With the SADF

As a rural commando this unit was now mainly tasked with area force protection, search and cordones as well as stock theft control assistance to the police. The unit resorted under the command of Group 35.

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. 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 Charles Nqakula (born 13 September 1942) is a South African politician who served as Minister of Defence from September 2008 to 2009. He also served as Minister for Safety and Security from May 2002 to September 2008. Nqakula is married to fo ...

Unit Insignia

SADF era Bloemfontein District Commando insignia