Durban Light Infantry The Durban Light Infantry was a Mechanised infantry regiment of the South African Army , this has been changed to Motorised Infantry in line with the rationalisation of resources . As a Reserve Force unit , it has a status roughly equivalent to that of a British Territorial Army unit or United States Army Reserve unit . The Regiment was formed as the " D ’ Urban Volunteer Guard " , in May 1854 . In 1859 it became the " Durban Rifle Guard " . In 1873 it became known as the " Royal Durban Rifles " . In 1889 it became known as the " Natal Royal Rifles ( Left half Battalion ) " . In 1895 it became the " Durban Light Infantry " . On the constitution of the " Union Defence Force " in 1912 , the Unit became the " Durban Light Infantry " , renamed the " 1st Infantry , ( Durban Light Infantry ) " . In consequence the Unit was permitted to add to its badge " “ Primus in Africa ” " . In 1953 , King George VI conferred the title " Royal " on two Regiments being the " Royal Durban Light Infantry " and the " Royal Natal Carbineers " , as a recognition of their seniority and service . In 1961 with the formation of the Republic , the title " Royal " was considered incompatible and the Regiment reverted to being the " Durban Light Infantry " . Regimental Colours . At the centre of the ' Regimental Colour ' is the badge worn by the Regiment since 1961 . It consists of the recognised " Infantry Silver Bugle " with tassels and a shield with two wildebeest and a " crown " . The wildebeest are symbolic of the Province , while the crown retained as a " traditional device " is reminiscent of the " title “ Royal ” " bestowed upon the Regiment by King George V in 1935 . The words “ Primus in Africa ” are superimposed within a scroll . The crest is composed of a lion passant guardant on three mounds – the centre mound being charged with a pyramid . The lion is symbolic of strength , courage and fortitude . The three mounds are symbolic of the battles fought in World War II – Monte Stanco , Monte Peza and Monte Sole / Caprara . The pyramid is symbolic of the 1941 – 1943 Egyptian Campaign . The " garland " which surrounds the coloured badge comprises the Thistle of Scotland , the Tudor Rose of England and the Shamrock of Ireland – symbols taken from the old colour – and the other two flowers , the Protea , the National flower of South Africa and the Strelitzia , the flower of Natal ( now KwaZulu - Natal ) . Officers Commanding . The Commanding Officers of the Regiment were : DURBAN VOLUNTEER GUARD DURBAN RIFLE GUARD ROYAL DURBAN RIFLES NATAL ROYAL RIFLES DURBAN LIGHT INFANTRY ROYAL DURBAN LIGHT INFANTRY DURBAN LIGHT INFANTRY Regimental Sergents Major – RSM . The Regimental Sergeants Major of the Regiment were : DURBAN VOLUNTEER GUARD DURBAN RIFLE GUARD ROYAL DURBAN RIFLES NATAL ROYAL RIFLES DURBAN LIGHT INFANTRY DURBAN LIGHT INFANTRY DURBAN LIGHT INFANTRY ROYAL DURBAN LIGHT INFANTRY ROYAL DURBAN LIGHT INFANTRY ROYAL DURBAN LIGHT INFANTRY DURBAN LIGHT INFANTRY Deployments & Training . The Regiment is being deployed in Africa , Burundi , DRC ; in support of the United Nations and African Union mandate All members of the Regiment are volunteers , with employment in the civilian roles , they fulfil their responsibilities and duties on top of their duties and responsibilities to their Families and Employers . An enormous commitment to the safety and security of the Republic of South Africa . Training is mandatory with the current requirements of Equality and Equity in line with the SANDF Policy . The duration of training places an enormous pressure on members to get Employers to relieve them to attend the courses and training exercises . Regimental history . " Durban Light Infantry " by Lieut Col AC Martin was published in 1969 . It is out of print . An illustrated history of the 150 years of the Regiment is in course of preparation by Prof . Brian Kearney , Mr Dave Matthews and Lieut Col " Bill " Olivier ( Retd . ) . The book is due to be released soon .