OR Tambo Regiment

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Regiment Oos Rand OR Tambo Regiment
SANDF Regiment Oos Rand emblem
Active	1 January 1960 to present
Country	South Africa
Branch	South African Army
Type	Internal Stability
Part of	South African Infantry Formation
Garrison/HQ	Benoni, Germiston
Motto(s)	Wees Sterk (Be Strong)
Insignia
Company level Insignia
SA Motorised Infantry beret bar circa 1992	SA Motorised Infantry beret bar
Abbreviation	ORTR

The OR Tambo Regiment (formerly Regiment Oos Rand)^[1] is a reserve infantry regiment of the South African Army.

History[]

Origin[]

In the period before 1960, 4 military units existed on the East Rand:

• 7 Medium Artillery Regiment,
• 2 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment,
• Regiment Kemp (an armoured regiment) and
  

  UDF era Regiment Kemp beret badge
• Regiment Andries Pretorius (a motorised infantry battalion)

With the re-organisation of the military, the four units were disbanded and Regiment Oos-Rand was formed from the integration of Regiment Kemp and Regiment Andries Pretorius. The April 1960 Government Gazette declared that Regiment Oos-Rand was activated on 1 January 1960 as a Citizen Force Unit.

Under the SADF[]

Just one week after it was activated, the regiment was mobilised for Operation Duiker and within 24 hours, 240 members were available. The regiments first Honorary Colonel was Senator C.C, Schabort on 9 August 1960. From 1976 to 1979, Regiment Oos-Rand called up members for the border war.

By September the unit received it regimental emblem. During 1962 the regiment was re-organised as a motorised infantry battalion and on 14 September 1963 it received its Colours.

Freedom of Benoni[]

The regiment received the Freedom of Benoni in 1967.

The regiment received its ceremonial sword on 18 October 1969.

Operations[]

From 1983 onward, Regiment Oos-Rand was involved in internal stability and township control.

Motorised to Mechanised[]

In 1990 the regiment was converted to a mechanised infantry battalion.

Divisional Command[]

Regiment Oos-Rand was assigned to the command of 73 Brigade in this era.

Under the SANDF[]

Today Regiment Oos-Rand, is a typical reserve light infantry battalion.

Deployments[]

Regiment Oos-Rand is also involved with Operation Corona,^[2] a continuous anti poaching operation in the Kruger National Park.^[3][4]

Name change[]

In August 2019, 52 Reserve Force units had their names changed to reflect the diverse military history of South Africa.^[5] Regiment Oos Rand became the OR Tambo Regiment, and have 3 years to design and implement new regimental insignia.^[6]

The regiment's new title is in honor of Oliver Tambo, who for many years served as the President of the African National Congress and was co-founder of uMkhonto we Sizwe.

Leadership[]

Leadership

From	Honorary Colonel	To
From	Officer Commanding	To
1989	Cmdt W.N. Louw	c. nd
1990	Cmdt J.H. de Beer	c. nd
From	Regimental Sergeants Major	To

Regimental Symbols[]

Insignia[]

Previous Dress Insignia[]

Current Dress Insignia[]

Training[]

Regiment East Rand specialised in 81 mm Mortar platoons, Medics, Signals and Drivers

References[]