21 Battalion (21 Bn) [Afr: 21 Bataljon] was established at Lenz, south of Johannesburg, on the 21st birthday of the SA Infantry Corps in 1977, when its first black recruits were trained. Before 1975 it was known as the Army Bantu Service Corps, then renamed to the SA Support Service Corps in 1976. The government had overcome its racist fear of armed blacks and began training a company of infantry. In 1986 two more companies were established. In 1988, four companies were deployed to northern Namibia and two of these deployed into southern Angola. 21 South African Infantry Battalion [Afr:21 Suid-Afrikaanse Infanteriebataljon] was only established as a full infantry battalion on 1 January 1991, at Doornkop, Johannesburg. In 1997 the unit was commanded by a colonel and consisted of two operational battalions. By 1999, it had reverted to four infantry companies and a reconnaissance platoon.

21 Battalion (21 Bn) [Afr: 21 Bataljon] was established at Lenz, south of Johannesburg, on the 21st birthday of the SA Infantry Corps in 1977, when its first black recruits were trained. Before 1975 it was known as the Army Bantu Service Corps, then renamed to the SA Support Service Corps in 1976. The government had overcome its racist fear of armed blacks and began training a company of infantry. In 1986 two more companies were established. In 1988, four companies were deployed to northern Namibia and two of these deployed into southern Angola. 21 South African Infantry Battalion [Afr:21 Suid-Afrikaanse Infanteriebataljon] was only established as a full infantry battalion on 1 January 1991, at Doornkop, Johannesburg. In 1997 the unit was commanded by a colonel and consisted of two operational battalions. By 1999, it had reverted to four infantry companies and a reconnaissance platoon.

Inostro Operi Fideles - In our Faith we Trust