Molapo Armoured Regiment
| 2 Anti Tank Regiment Regiment Hendrik Potgieter Regiment Mooirivier Molapo Armour Regiment | |
|---|---|
 SANDF Regiment Mooi River emblem | |
| Active | 1941 to present |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Armoured Car Regiment |
| Size | One Battalion |
| Part of |
|
| Garrison/HQ | Potchefstroom |
| Motto(s) | Semper Prorsum Ever Forward[1][2] |
| Equipment | Eland 90, Rooikat armoured fighting vehicle |
| Insignia | |
| Beret Colour | Black |
| Armour Squadron emblems |  |
| Armour beret bar circa 1992 |  |
| Abbreviation | MAR |
The Molapo Armour Regiment (formerly Regiment Mooirivier) is a reserve armoured regiment of the South African Army.
History
Origin
The regiment was founded in 1941 as 2 Anti Tank Regiment and re-instituted in 1954 by the first vice-rector of the Potchefstroom University, Professor Fanus du Plessis.[3]
During 1955 the regiment was converted to an armoured car regiment and renamed Regiment Hendrik Potgieter. In 1959 the Regiment was renamed Regiment Mooirivier.[2]
Under the SADF
This unit served in South Africa's various internal conflicts as well as during the South African Border War, including duty in South-West Africa and cross-border raids into Angola between 1975 and 1984. The regiment participated in Operations Askari, Modular, Hooper and Packer. The regiment was equipped with Eland 90s at that stage.
Divisional affiliation
Under the SANDF
82 Mechanised Brigade Division was disbanded, and Regiment Mooirivier was transferred to the new armoured 'type' formation, the South African Army Armoured Formation.
Current equipment
The Regiment currently uses the Rooikat armoured fighting vehicle, equipped with a 76 mm quick-fire gun.
Name Change
In August 2019, 52 Reserve Force units had their names changed to reflect the diverse military history of South Africa.[4] Regiment Mooirivier became the Molapo Armoured Regiment, and have 3 years to design and implement new regimental insignia.[5]
Regimental Symbols
- Regimental motto: Semper Prorsum.
Previous dress insignia
Leadership
| From | Honorary Colonel | To
{{Post-member|from-date=n.d.|post-incumbent=vacant|to-date= |
| From | Acting Honorary Colonel | To |
| August 2018 | Colonel Rory Hollins MMM | Present |
| From | Commanding Officer | To |
| April 1954 | Commandant J.S. du Plessis | January 1967 |
| January 1967 | Commandant C.W.A. Steyn | May 1971 |
| May 1971 | Commandant C.H. Heenop | May 1979 |
| December 1979 | Commandant S.G. Greyling | December 1987 |
| January 1988 | Lt Col. W.H. van Zyl | March 2001 |
| May 2001 | Lt Col. T. du P Snyman | May 2005 |
| May 2005 | Lt Col. B.J. de Klerk | January 2014 |
| January 2014 | Lt Col. H.H-P.J. Stark | September 2017 |
| September 2017 | Maj. S.J.B. Brooks | July 2018 |
| July 2018 | Lt Col. S.J.B. Brooks | Present |
| From | Regimental Sergeant Major | To |
| April 1954 | WO1 P.F. Smit | July 1966 |
| July 1966 | WO1 S.W. van der Merwe | March 1993 |
| April 1993 | WO1 W.J. Wagner | Present |
| January 2019 | WO1 U.K. Koaishe | Present |
References
- ^ "South African Armour News Hub". www.saarmourassociation.co.za. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013.
- ^ a b "Fact File: Regiment Mooi Rivier". defenceweb.co.za. DefenceWeb. 7 January 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
- ^ Tylden, Major G (1954). The Armed Forces of South Africa. Frank Connock Publication No 2. Johannesburg: City of Johannesburg Africana Museum.
- ^ "New Reserve Force unit names". defenceWeb. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- ^ "Renaming process has resulted in an Army structure that truly represents SA". IOL. 16 August 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
