Open AccessThe Role of Non-Whites in the South African Defence Force
Author(s) -
C.J. Nöthling,
L. Steyn
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
scientia militaria
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2309-9682
pISSN - 2224-0020
DOI - 10.5787/16-2-457
Subject(s) - cape , settlement (finance) , white (mutation) , history , ancient history , economic history , british empire , demography , law , political science , sociology , empire , economics , biochemistry , chemistry , finance , payment , gene
As long ago as 1700, when the Cape of Good Hope was still a small settlement ruled by the Dutch East India Company, Coloureds were subject to the same military duties as Europeans. It was, however, a foreign war that caused the establishment of the first Pandour regiment in 1781. They comprised a force under white officers that fought against the British prior to the occupation of the Cape in 1795. Between the years 1795-1803 the British employed Coloured soldiers; they became known as the Cape Corps after the second British occupation in 1806. During the first period of British rule Coloured soldiers received a weekly pay of sixpence (sterling) to buy tobacco and were entitled to the same rations and drinks as British troops. During the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) Coloureds were used on both sides as drivers, servants and scouts