NASChem Commando

NasChem 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.

NASChem Commando
Industrial Commando Naschem emblem
Country	South Africa
Allegiance	Republic of South Africa  Republic of South Africa
Branch	South African Army  South African Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Light Infantry
Size	One Battalion
Part of	South African Infantry Corps Army Territorial Reserve, Group 30
Garrison/HQ	Initially Lenz then Boskop outside Potchefstroom
Motto(s)	Perseverate en Vincere - Persevere and win

History

Industrial Protection Commando

NasChem started as an explosives depot for the gold industry around 1896 at Lenz, near Johannesburg.

During World War 2, it produced about 25 million pieces of ammunition for the campaign in North Africa.

The facility was reactivated around 1970 for the design, development and manufacture mainly of artillery armaments.

With the SADF

As the facility was considered a National Key Point and thee personnel of the facility had military service requirements to fulfill, it made sense to activate a commando and in doing so assist in the security of the facility.

The unit, initially at company strength reported to Regiment President Kruger.

The new commando was finally unit status on 14 May 1984 and established its own headquarters at Lenz, falling under the command of Group 18.

By 1986, NasChem moved its factory to Boskop, Potchefstroom and the commando then reported to North West Command.

During 1992, NasChem became a division of Denel Ordnance.

Disbandment

Unlike other Commando units disbanded after a decision by South African President Thabo Mbeki to disband all Commando Units,[1][2] this unit had closed earlier as Denel no longer required it and had privatised its security.

The Commando system had been 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]

Insignia

The design of the insignia depicts the front view of a cannon barrel.

SADF era Naschem Commando insignia

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.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

• South African Commando System