Umkomaas 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

Origin

Umkomaas Commando was activated when it inherited the urban members of the Pietermaritzburg Rifle Commando in 1963.

Operations

With the SADF

Initially, the Umkomaas Commando was headquartered in Ixopo under Kmdt J.R.Guy. It consisted of 3 companies with A Company being based at the Drill Hall in Pietermaritzburg, B Company based in Eston-Mid Illovo and C Company based in Ixopo. Umkomaas Commando shared close affinity with Natalia Regiment. Its original HQ (post 1989) was in Richmond where it shared accommodation with Group 9 in the Old Gaol Building. The unit was later transferred to Pietermaritzburg and allocated its own HQ in the Oribi Village. By July 1981 the unit moved back to Richmond, but by 1991 it had returned to the Oribi Village in Pietermaritzburg.

=Training and Operations

= The unit held annual training camps and maintained a rifle shooting range on the farm Dawn Valley near Ixopo from 1963 to 1968, and near Shongweni and Hammarsdal from 1969 to 1975. From 1976 the unit deployed a company to South West Africa for border duty.

=Areas of Responsibility

= Umkomaas Commando provided quick reaction patrols in support of the South African Police during unrest in the Natal Midlands. By 1979 the units area of responsibility had changed and new borders set. A new concept was established in the early 1980s and Industrial platoons were raised. Two of these now existed in the units original area of responsibility: at the Huletts Aluminium factory and the Pietermaritzburg Municipality.

=National Colours

= Umkomaas Commando was given its National Colours in June 1991.

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

Leadership

* Cmdt J. Guy 1963-1969 * Cmdt G.A. Bowles 1969-1977 * Cmdt I. Deetlefs 1977-1981 * Cmdt E,B. Herbert 1981-1986 * Cmdt J.E. Butler 1986-1989 * Cmdt M.T. Staniland 1987-1991 * Lt Col F.C. McHattie 1992-