Oribi Commando

Oribi 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.

Oribi Commando
Oribi Commando shoulder flash
Disbandedc. 2003
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeBattalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve
Garrison/HQPort Shepstone

History

Origins

Oribi commando was raised in 1979 and took responsibility for the area originally allocated to Charlie Company of South Coast Commando.

With the SADF

This area stretched from Karridene to Port Edward and inland to the Highflats area. Its headquarters was originally based at Winkelspruit.

A new headquarters in Marburg, Port Shepstone was occupied in 1980.

The commando consisted of the following:

  • Alpha company: essentially national servicemen who formed the reaction unit
  • Bravo company: volunteers from Umkomaas and Scottburgh
  • Charlie company: volunteers from Hibberdene, Port Shepstone and Paddock
  • Delta company: volunteers from Shell Beach, Margate and Port Edward
Reaction Force

This commando was home to a full-time reaction force for the southern part of natal and as a result the commando was essentially deployed on an ongoing basis during the period of unrest.

National Colours

This unit received its national Colours on 11 August 1990.

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 Oribi Commando insignia
SADF era Oribi Commando insignia

Leadership
Leadership
From Commanding Officers To
1979 Major J.J Gerber 1980
1980 Cmdt L. Palmer 1991
1991 Cmdt A.R. Lotter 1993
1993 Lt Col C.J.M. Stoltz nd
From Regimental Sergeants Major To
1979 WO2 R. Frampton MMM JCD 1982
1982 WO2 R.E. Johnson MMM JCD 1987
1987 WO2 J.G.K. Louw MMM JCD 1987
1987 WO2 P.A.J. Griffith MMM JCD nd

See also

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.


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