Regiment Piet Retief

History

A BRIEF HISTORY OF REGIMENT PIET RETIEF

Founded on the 1st February 1940 as a citizen force infantry unit named Piet Retief Regiment, with the main purpose to supply troops for the Second World War. On the 16th March 1940 it was reorganized as an artillery unit with the name 5th Field Regiment and took part in the Second World war as such.

After the Second World War 5th Field was virtually non existent, and some years later the remnants of this unit was renamed to Regiment Algoabaai, of which the Uitenhage company became known as Regiment Uitenhage at a later stage.

On the 1st January 1954 Regiment Piet Retief was re-established as a predominantly Afrikaans speaking motorized infantry citizen force regiment with its headquarters in Graaff-Reinet. In 1956 the HQ moved to Cradock and in 1962 it moved to the Drill Hall in Queenstown. During 1987 the HQ moved to Port Elizabeth, where it is still based.

In 1960 the unit’s name was changed to Regiment Transkei (RTK), in 1966 it was changed to Regiment Noordoos-Kaap (RNOK) and the 1st April 1967 the name was changed back to Regiment Piet Retief (RPR).

On the 22nd November 1969 the unit received its Regimental Colour and changed to an infantry COIN regiment.

On the 19th May 1990 the unit received its National Colour, which was laid up at the Group 39 chapel in Queenstown in 1995.

On the 11th November 1994 the unit was placed under command of Group 39 in Queenstown, after being under command of Group 6 in Port Elizabeth for a number of years.

On the 1st April 1997 the unit was again placed under command of Group 6, after the closure of Group 39.

During the latter part of 2000 Regiment Algoabaai, Regiment Uitenhage and Donkin Regiment were amalgamated with Regiment Piet Retief. A new command team was appointed by a selection board that was convened by the Infantry Formation. Regiment Piet Retief was then also placed directly under command of the Infantry Formation.

In 2009 the First Black unit second in Command was appointed, Lt V.P Mbali acted in the post until 2011 where he was also promoted to the substantive rank of Maj. The same year WO1 A. M. Xokolo became the first black Regimental Sergeant Major as appointed by SA Army Infantry Formation. The unit through its succession planning in 2012 was for the first time in its history had an appointment of Lt Col V.P. Mbali as an Officer Commanding with effect from 01 June 2012 and an official ceremonial handing and taking over parade was on 05 November 2012.

In 2013 during the ICCC the unit received several accolades for outstanding service and compliance from the General Officer Commanding SA Army infantry Formation, Maj General Lindile Yam. This is viewed by unit members as an achievement and success in Government Compliance Imperatives. The unit prides itself with these and even looking forward to achieve more.

In 2014 the unit resubmitted the name change request and planned Freedom of the City planned for 2015, proposed name is Nelson Mandela Regiment (NMR) the Director Army Reserves is to forward all submissions to appropriate levels.

The unit has also changed the use of an Aloe badge on the beret and is now using the general SA Army Infantry Formation Badge for one force concept and will keep all other unit regalia as normal. The badge is standard issue and has no financial implications on the unit as it available through Logistical channels.

UNIT COMMAND TEAM

Honorary Colonel: Col Mzwandile .B. Vena Officer Commanding : Lt Col VusumziP. Mbali Second in Command : Maj Sizwe Morgan Singunza RSM : MWO Alfred Melubakho Xokolo

UNIT EMBLEM

The unit emblem depicts an Aloe (Aloe Ferox) in bloom with the motto “AD MORTEM” (till death) on the scroll beneath it. Ferox is a latin adjective meaning brave, courageous and combative, which is a fitting to an aloe, due to the difficult circumstances under which it normally has to grow… and fitting to true infantrymen, due to the difficult circumstances under which they sometimes have to operate!

UNIT DRESS

The unit leader group used to wear an infantry lanyard around the right shoulder with dress number 1 and 4, because of its historical connection with the artillery unit 5th Field Regiment. The current leadership felt its necessary to align ourselves with the correct dress code and regulations and will follow the correct channels to change the lanyard to the left as Infantry.

The unit has its own unique mess dress with an orange jacket, depicting the colour of the flowers of its emblem, as well as the unit’s strong roots in the Eastern Cape, where orange is a traditional colour used widely by many of the Xhosa tribes.

The unit also has its own blue blazer with an aloe in full colour on the pocket badge for all unit members , Silver Aloe on the pocket badge for those unit members with John Chard Medals (for 10 years long service) and troue diens medals and Gold for members with JCD and 20 years in service.

The unit also has informal attire consisting of a golf shirt, padded jacket, jersey, shorts, cap and track suit all with the unit’s emblem on it.

UNIT TOAST

The unit toasts with aloe juice. When members are promoted, they are congratulated to their new rank or appointment by being expected to have a drink of aloe juice, after which they say the unit motto “AD MORTEM” aloud.

WAR CRY

Due to necessity to motivate our soldiers in the frontline and to encourage them for perseverance and surreptitiousness as Infanteers the unit needs to identify itself with a “War Cry” that will be promoting the unit and Infantry ethos.

UNIT SONG

The unit puts an effort to encourage unit members to write a song that will identify us and keep our uniqueness in Eastern Cape and include the long road travelled and our aim to protect our beloved citizens as we are a force multiplier to the Regulars.

Regimental Symbols

The units emblem is the tough Aloe plant, for which the Eastern Cape is known for.

Battle honours

None known