Job Masego Regiment

The Job Masego Regiment is a reserve mechanised infantry regiment of the South African Army.

History

Regiment Noord-Transvaal / Regiment Northern Transvaal was a reserve unit formed in 1963 and came into service in January 1964. Regiment Noord-Transvaal was initially an armoured unit. Its headquarters is close to the SA Army Headquarters complex. In those days RNT was part of 16 Armoured Brigade and later 8th [Armoured Division (South Africa)|81 Armoured Brigade].

With the SADF

With 16 Brigade

was one of the original units utilised in this era to develop the mechanization of a conventional force for the SADF under typical South African conditions.

With 81 Brigade

Mechanised training was originally conducted in soft-skinned vehicles which then progressed to Saracens and finally to the Ratel Infantry Fighting vehicle by 1976. 1 RNT was the first unit to be completely outfitted as a mechanised battalion during Exercise Mainstay around 1977.

The second battalion

In 1969, the regiment was split into two battalions 1RNT and 2 RNT

Operations

In 1975, 1RNT re-mustered to a reserve mechanised infantry unit and took part in the South African Border War in Namibia and at home in counter insurgency operations.
1RNT stayed involved in that conflict to the end, taking part in Operations Moduler, Hooper, Packer and Prone in 1987-8.
2RNT deployed extensively in numerous operations in a Motorised Infantry - Counter Insurgency role in the South African Border War as well as on the Rhodesian / Zimbabwe border amongst others in the Soutpansberg Military Area. It reported into Northern Transvaal command and Far Northern Command respectively. 2RNT also played a key role in Operation JAMBU in Katlahong / Vosloorus over the election period in 1994, when peace and stability was ensured in the Witwatersrand.

With the SANDF

2RNT was incorporated / amalgamated into Tshwane Regiment along with 5 other Motorised Infantry regiments in 2000.

Name change

In August 2019, 52 Reserve Force units had their names changed to reflect the diverse military history of South Africa. Regiment Noord-Transvaal became the Job Masego Regiment, and have 3 years to design and implement new regimental insignia.

Insignia

The cap badge of RNT was loosely based on the SAS badge but the wings had a different shape and the dagger pointed upwards.
1RNT were the first to wear an infantry beret bar with a Ratel Fighting Vehicle on top of the colours. 2RNT's cap badge was worn with a red felt backing to distinguish it from 1RNT.