Stellaland Commando
# Stellaland Commando

Stellaland 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

### Origins

Stellaland Commando can trace its origins back to the declaration of the state of Stellaland.

### Operations

**With the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek**

The Stellaland Commando was originally mobilised on 21 October 1899 to relieve Kuruman from British occupation in the Anglo Boer War.

By May 1900 however Vryburg was itself occupied by the British and the Stellaland Commando withdrew to form up with the Bloemhof Commando. Stellaland then became involved in a guerilla war and this resulted in the British policy of scorched earth in the region where many homesteads in and around Vryburg bore testimony to the onslaught.

During the guerilla phase of the Anglo Boer War, four members of the commando paid the highest price:

* Johannes Kuhn
* Hermanus Kuhn
* Johannes Jansen
* Hermanus Rautenbach

**With the UDF**

By 1902 all Commando remnants were under British military control and disarmed.

By 1912, however previous Commando members could join shooting associations.

By 1940, such commandos were under control of the National Reserve of Volunteers.

These commandos were formally reactivated by 1948.

**With the SADF**

During the Border War in South West Africa, the Stellaland Commando combined with commandos such as Kalahari, Bloemhof, Christiana, Schweizer-Reneke and De la Ray to form an operational company that was deployed to the Owamboland region.

The unit resorted under the command of the SADF's Group 21.

**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.

## Leadership

Leadership :

| From | Honorary Colonels | To |
| - | - | - |
| From | Commanding Officers | To |
| 1945 | Cmdt P.D. Haasbroek | c. 1951 |
| 16 October 1972 | Cmdt R.F. de V du Plessis | c. 20 October 1981 |
| c. 2000 | Lt Col Dick Wheeler | c. 2003 |
| From | Regimental Sergeants Major | To |
