Freedom of City for regimen

Polokwane residents were recently greeted by the sight of members of Regiment Christiaan Beyers marching through the streets of Polokwane during the Freedom of the City Parade at the Jack Botes Hall.
A march led by the regiment’s brass band and address by the Polokwane Executive Mayor Thembi Nkadimeng were highlights when the regiment received the Freedom of the City.
“Every second year men and women in uniform march on the streets of this city of stars, a military tradition observed to strengthen the relation between the military and civilian populace of Polokwane,” Nkadimeng said.
She congratulated the regiment on recent successes. “These devoted members effectively prohibited illegal activities within the Northern borders of the country to the value of almost R8 million. We are grateful for your success in maintenance of peace and stability,” Nkadimeng said, encouraging them to continue serving the people of South Africa with distinction.
Regiment Christiaan Beyers is an extension of 2 Regiment Botha, a unit that was formed as the Second Battalion of the already existing Regiment Botha in 1939. The latter was established on 1 April 1934 when additional Citizen Force Units were formed. The regiment formed part of the famous Fifth Brigade at the beginning of World War 2. It was almost totally decimated during the battle of Sidi Rezeigh.
The second Battalion Botha did its fair share in the East Africa campaign and was one of the first units to cross the Abyssinian border where they forced the Italian forces to surrender. The battle was then continued in the north as Regiment Botha/Regiment President Steyn and the unit participated with distinction in numerous campaigns in Egypt.
On 16 September 1942 the regiment’s name was temporarily shortened to Regiment Botha, in short referred to as The Bothas. With the amalgamation with Regiment President Steyn on 12 August 1943 the name changed to Regiment Botha/Regiment President Steyn.
More modifications were made to the name during the years until 1 May 1946 when the name was then changed to 2 Regiment Botha and then Regiment Christiaan Beyers.
Since 1965 Regiment Christiaan Beyers has deployed with success on a regular basis at various places in South Africa as well Namibia. The unit was the first to make contact with South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo) at the Angolan Border in April 1976 in which four members of the regiment died.
The unit was also the first military unit to make contact with the African National Congress (ANC) on the Northern borders in 1983.

Story and photos: RC Myburgh
>>rc.observer@gmail.com

Featured photo: Polokwane Executive Mayor Thembi Nkadimeng inspects the parade.