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| Regiment Botha General Botha Regiment | |
|---|---|
SANDF Regiment Botha emblem | |
| Active | 1 April 1934 to present |
| Country | |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Motorised Infantry |
| Size | One Battalion |
| Part of | South African Infantry Formation Army Conventional Reserve |
| Garrison/HQ | Barberton, Mpumalanga |
| Mottos | Altyd gereed (Always ready) |
| Anniversaries | 1 April 1934 |
| Insignia | |
| Company level Insignia | |
| SA Motorised Infantry beret bar circa 1992 | ![]() |
| Abbreviation | GBR |
TheGeneral Botha Regiment (formerlyRegiment Botha) is a reserveinfantry regiment of theSouth African Army. The Regiment was named after GeneralLouis Botha, the firstprime minister ofSouth Africa.
The regiment was formed inErmelo, Mpumalanga on 1 April 1934, as part of an expansion of the Army's infantry branch.[1]
A second battalion was formed on the outbreak ofWorld War II in 1939.[1] The first battalion did not serve in the war, but the second fought in theNorth Africa campaign in 1941 and 1942 as part of the1st Infantry Division. In 1943, it was temporarily amalgamated withRegiment President Steyn.[1][2]
The two battalions separated after the war, and in 1951 the second battalion was renamedRegiment Christiaan Beyers.[1] From 1960 to 1966, Regiment Botha was calledRegiment Pongola.
SANDF's Motorised Infantry is transported mostly by Samil trucks, Mamba APC's or other un-protected motor vehicles. Samil 20, 50 and 100 trucks transport soldiers, towing guns, and carrying equipment and supplies. Samil trucks are all-wheel drive, in order to have vehicles that function reliably in extremes of weather and terrain. Motorised infantry have an advantage in mobility allowing them to move to critical sectors of the battlefield faster, allowing better response to enemy movements, as well as the ability to outmaneuver the enemy.
In August 2019, 52 Reserve Force units had their names changed to reflect the diverse military history of South Africa.[3] Regiment Botha had its title amended toGeneral Botha Regiment, and was given 3 years to design and implement new regimental insignia.[4]
| From | Lt col S A Mbuyazi | To |
| From | Officer Commanding 2LT DK Nyaseko | To |
| From | Regimental Sergeants Major T Smiths | To |

