Swellendam 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
A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation.
In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscripted ...
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
The South African Army Infantry Formation supervises all infantry within the South African Army.
History Origins: Union Defence Force
South African Infantry originated as the ''Infantry Branch'' of the Union Defence Forces in 1913.
In 1915, ...
as well as the South African Territorial Reserve.
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
Xhosa may refer to:
* Xhosa people, a nation, and ethnic group, who live in south-central and southeasterly region of South Africa
* Xhosa language, one of the 11 official languages of South Africa, principally spoken by the Xhosa people
See als ...
tribes.
Operations
With the Republic of Swellendam
An independent republic had been declared from the
Dutch East India Company
The United East India Company ( nl, Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie, the VOC) was a chartered company established on the 20th March 1602 by the States General of the Netherlands amalgamating existing companies into the first joint-stock ...
, 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
The Battle of Blaauwberg, also known as the Battle of Cape Town, fought near Cape Town on Wednesday 8 January 1806, was a small but significant military engagement. After a British victory, peace was made under the Treaty Tree in Woodstock. ...
(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.
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
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki KStJ (; born 18 June 1942) is a South African politician who was the second president of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008, when he resigned at the request of his party, the African National Congress (ANC ...
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.
Unit Insignia
SADF era Swellendam Commando insignia
Leadership
References
See also
*
South African Commando System
The Commando System was a mostly voluntary, part-time force of the South African Army, but in their role as local militia the units were often deployed in support of and under the authority of the South African Police.
Mission
South Africa's ...
Infantry regiments of South Africa
South African Commando Units
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