Calvinia 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
Origin
Calvinia Commando was one of the original Cape Colony Commandos dating from before the Anglo-Boer War.
Operations
With the UDF
As one of the Cape Commandos, this unit was not called up due to the Maritz Rebellion, but did serve against the Germans in German South West Africa from October 1914 until May 1915.
In February 1915, the Calvinia-Kenhardt Commando was formed out of the following: Kenhardt Commando Louw's Commando Pretorius' Calvinia Commando Vermaas Scouts
With the SADF
During this era, the unit was mainly used for area force protection, search and cordones as well as stock theft control assistance to the rural police.
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.