Molapo Armoured Regiment

The Molapo Armour Regiment (formerly Regiment Mooirivier) is a reserve armoured regiment of the South African Army.

2 Anti Tank Regiment
Regiment Hendrik Potgieter
Regiment Mooirivier
Molapo Armour Regiment
SANDF Regiment Mooi River
SANDF Regiment Mooi River emblem
Active1941 to present
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeArmoured Car Regiment
SizeOne Battalion
Part of
Garrison/HQPotchefstroom
Motto(s)Semper Prorsum
Ever Forward[1][2]
EquipmentEland 90, Rooikat armoured fighting vehicle
Insignia
Beret ColourBlack
Armour Squadron emblemsSANDF Armour squadron emblems
Armour beret bar circa 1992SANDF Armour beret bar
AbbreviationMAR

History

Origin

The regiment was founded in 1941 as 2 Anti Tank Regiment and re-instituted in 1954 by the first vice-rector of the Potchefstroom University, Professor Fanus du Plessis.[3]

During 1955 the regiment was converted to an armoured car regiment and renamed Regiment Hendrik Potgieter. In 1959 the Regiment was renamed Regiment Mooirivier.[2]

Under the SADF

This unit served in South Africa's various internal conflicts as well as during the South African Border War, including duty in South-West Africa and cross-border raids into Angola between 1975 and 1984. The regiment participated in Operations Askari, Modular, Hooper and Packer. The regiment was equipped with Eland 90s at that stage.

Divisional affiliation

Under the SANDF

82 Mechanised Brigade Division was disbanded, and Regiment Mooirivier was transferred to the new armoured 'type' formation, the South African Army Armoured Formation.

Current equipment

The Regiment currently uses the Rooikat armoured fighting vehicle, equipped with a 76 mm quick-fire gun.

Rooikat Armoured Car

Name Change

In August 2019, 52 Reserve Force units had their names changed to reflect the diverse military history of South Africa.[4] Regiment Mooirivier became the Molapo Armoured Regiment, and have 3 years to design and implement new regimental insignia.[5]

Regimental Symbols
  • Regimental motto: Semper Prorsum.

Previous dress insignia
SADF era Regiment Mooirivier insignia

Leadership
Leadership
From Honorary Colonel To

{{Post-member|from-date=n.d.|post-incumbent=vacant|to-date=

From Acting Honorary Colonel To
August 2018 Colonel Rory Hollins MMM Present
From Commanding Officer To
April 1954 Commandant J.S. du Plessis January 1967
January 1967 Commandant C.W.A. Steyn May 1971
May 1971 Commandant C.H. Heenop May 1979
December 1979 Commandant S.G. Greyling December 1987
January 1988 Lt Col. W.H. van Zyl March 2001
May 2001 Lt Col. T. du P Snyman May 2005
May 2005 Lt Col. B.J. de Klerk January 2014
January 2014 Lt Col. H.H-P.J. Stark September 2017
September 2017 Maj. S.J.B. Brooks July 2018
July 2018 Lt Col. S.J.B. Brooks Present
From Regimental Sergeant Major To
April 1954 WO1 P.F. Smit July 1966
July 1966 WO1 S.W. van der Merwe March 1993
April 1993 WO1 W.J. Wagner Present
January 2019 WO1 U.K. Koaishe Present

References
  1. www.saarmourassociation.co.za https://web.archive.org/web/20131005015521/http://www.saarmourassociation.co.za/regiment-mooirivier.aspx. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. "Fact File: Regiment Mooi Rivier". defenceweb.co.za. DefenceWeb. 7 January 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  3. Tylden, Major G (1954). The Armed Forces of South Africa. Frank Connock Publication No 2. Johannesburg: City of Johannesburg Africana Museum.
  4. "New Reserve Force unit names". defenceWeb. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  5. "Renaming process has resulted in an Army structure that truly represents SA". IOL. 16 August 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2020.


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