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Lions Head Commando

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Lion's Head Commando
FoundedJuly 24, 1978; 46 years ago (1978-07-24)
DisbandedFebruary 14, 2003; 21 years ago (2003-02-14)
Country South Africa
Allegiance
Branch
TypeInfantry
RoleLight Infantry
SizeOne Battalion
Part ofSouth African Infantry Corps
Army Territorial Reserve, Group 1
Garrison/HQFort Wynyard, Green Point Cape Town

Lion's Head 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.

History

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Origin

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The Lions Head Commando was one of several 'urban commandos' which were established in 1962, when the Army's focus was on internal security.

Operations

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With the SADF

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During this era, the unit was mainly involved in area force protection, cordon and search operations assisting the local police and stock theft control.

The unit was organised under Group 1 Headquarters at Youngsfield part of Western Province Command.

With the SANDF

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Disbandment
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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

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SADF era Lions Head insignia
SADF era Lions Head insignia

Note : the flash captioned "Lion's Head Commando shoulder flash Type 2" was designed and approved, and prototypes were made, but it was never worn.

Leadership

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References

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  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.

See also

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