Original Border War era South African Defence Force (SADF) Pattern 61 Webbing Belt, Harness, and Pouch, all matching and named to “Aegh” of the Durban Regiment.
In May 1961, South Africa transitioned from a Union to a Republic. Simultaneously, the newly established South African Defense Force (SADF), formerly known as the Union Defense Force (UDF), made a decision to replace its .303 rifle with the NATO 7.65 mm FN rifle, commonly referred to as the R-1 within the SADF. This upgrade encompassed the introduction of a new webbing system, replacing the outdated British pattern 37 webbing. The SADF opted to replicate the British pattern 58 webbing and designated it as pattern 61. However, this replica deviated slightly from the pattern 58 due to the inclusion of certain variations. In 1964, a comprehensive review of pattern 61 was conducted, leading to its subsequent renaming to pattern 64. Patterns 61 and 64 were utilized concurrently until all stocks of pattern 61 were exhausted.
Established in 1923 as the Durban Volunteer Guides, the unit was disbanded after World War II but was formally reformed in 1959 as an armored infantry unit. The Durban Regiment was officially proclaimed in 1959, and its first posting occurred on January 1, 1960, with Colonel M.B. Williams JCD serving as its first officer commanding. The Regiment’s inaugural mobilizations were on March 31, 1960, to combat unrest in Natal’s Cato Manor area, making it the first regiment mobilized and committed to this action. On May 31, 1961, the unit was once again mobilized to participate in the ceremonies accompanying the Declaration of the Republic of South Africa. Annual training camps were conducted annually until 1972, when the Durban Regiment commenced its duties on either the South West Africa (Namibia) or Mozambique borders during the South African Border War. In addition to its border responsibilities, the Durban Regiment assumed counter insurgency operations in urban areas, primarily in the Kwa-Zulu Natal region, from 1982.
Today, the unit is known as the King Shaka Regiment.
