A fair renaming process
SANDF’s five-year project conducted to reflect the diversity of the army’s part-time units
FIVE years ago, the SANDF embarked on a process to change the names of its part-time units to reflect the country’s rich and diverse military history.
The SANDF is the natural heir to a variety of military cultures, traditions and combat experiences dating back to the 17th century, yet until earlier this month the overwhelming symbolism of its Reserve Force remained that of the old South African Defence Force (SADF). Born in 1994, the SANDF comprises the SADF, the defence forces of the Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei and the liberation armies of uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) and the Azanian People’s Liberation Army (APLA).
The SADF itself traced its genesis to the Union Defence Force (UDF), created in 1912 two years after the formation of the Union of South Africa.
The UDF that mobilised as part of the British Empire in World War I predominantly reflected colonial military culture. Regiments honouring Boer generals were only first established two decades later in 1934, followed by a further tranche in 1954.
The regimental system which is still the backbone of our reserve force was taken from the British system. The regiments create familial bonds that are both immediately understood though intangible to outsiders, fostering loyalty and service in unimaginable conditions often demanding the ultimate sacrifice from its members.
Unfortunately, where a regiment no longer commands that mystique the system becomes inefficient and counter-productive.
Regiments also reflect the needs of a country at the time; the SA Irish was one regiment that was disbanded after service in World War I, only to be reactivated 20 years later on the eve of World War II.
Sensitive to the heritage involved, rights of serving soldiers and broader military community, the renaming process was highly consultative.
There were three separate rounds of engagements with serving soldiers and unit commanders, the regimental councils that act as the key bridge between serving and past members, regimental associations, town councils and local communities.
The regiments were asked to come up with suggestions that would reflect South Africa’s rich military history, not merely update old geographical names, and rejuvenate the symbolism for a rank and file that was now dramatically different from the demographics of those in the Army Reserve units.
The regiments were given specific criteria, they should not name units after living people and any individuals selected should have had a proven SA military history. To assist the process, they were provided with a comprehensive list of South African military heroes, heroines and events drawn across cultures, regions and eras.
As a result of the process, 66 Army Reserve Force unit names were reviewed; 25 now reflect indigenous African military history, 15 South Africa’s liberation struggle history, a total of 26 (39% of units) are linked to the former “Statutory” history.
The process was a measured one which allowed for an innovative approach, such as the case of the Natal Carbineers, established in 1855 and present at the legendary Battle of Isandlwana in 1879, to be renamed the Ingobamakhosi Carbineers, honouring one of the many Zulu regiments that it faced then. Existing units will keep their colours (the unique regimental flags embroidered with their battle honours), insignia and associated symbols, while the renamed units will have three years to design and phase in new insignia. The renamed units, as the heirs to that history, will have the right to incorporate old battle honours on their new colours.
Britain, the home of the regimental system, has overseen massive changes to its standing units over the past 15 years , including dissolving all former Highland regiments into one renamed and brand-new composite regiment.
The same process has played out in England with the consolidation of traditional light infantry and rifle regiments. Their history though lives on in the new colours which incorporate these battle honours and the symbolism of the insignia worn by their subunits. In our case, the chief of the SANDF has specifically encouraged the affected Scottish, Highland and Irish Regiments to retain their traditions and dress through ceremonial subunits and regimental bands.
One of the inspirations for the South African process was a Heroes’ Day poster created in exile in Botswana in 1983 to commemorate December 16, the founding of MK in 1961. Designed by Thami Mnyele, who would himself be killed two years later, the victim of an SADF cross-border raid, it effectively addressed the issue of inclusivity within MK in an innovative way.
The renaming process has been transparent, thorough, fair and painstaking throughout, characterised by deep engagement with all the stakeholders. We can all be proud of the result – an army structure that is truly representative of the country our volunteer soldiers are sworn to defend – and die for if necessary.
The renaming process has been transparent, thorough, fair and painstaking throughout