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National Ceremonial Guard
Nasionale Seremoniële Wag
The National Ceremonial Guard at the opening of 17th World Festival of Youth and Students.
Active	1996 – present
Country	South Africa
Branch	South African National Defence Force
Type	Honor Guard
Role	Ceremonial guard
Size	293 personnel
Garrison/HQ	Sebokeng Military Complex, Pretoria

The National Ceremonial Guard (NCG) is an honor guard battalion of the South African National Defence Force serving during ceremonies involving the President of South Africa, Deputy President of South Africa, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans and the Chief of the South African National Defence Force. It is composed of a guard of honour, a drill team, and a military band.

History

The unit was originally founded on 01 May 1967 as the State Presidents Guard when Charles Robberts Swart was the State President of South Africa. It was dissolved in 1990 ahead of the first democratic elections in 1994. The unit was rebranded in September 1996 as the National Ceremonial Guard. The NCG's old uniform of dark green tunic with black pants was reinstated after it was reestablished. In April 2008, the NCG moved into the Sebokeng Military Complex by order of the president.

Functions

The NCG takes part official state functions such as the opening of Parliament, and the welcoming ceremonies of visits by international leaders and statesmen to South Africa. It also provides guards of honour at inaugurations of Presidents, state funerals and certain national monuments.

NCG Band

The NCG Band is the military band unit attached to the NCG. It currently serves as the senior most band of the entire SANDF. Both the NCG and its military band have been sent to different countries to perform in military tattoos and other international events. Since 2001, the band has undertaken the role of training military bandsmen from Namibia and Botswana.

Regalia

Insignia

Good Conduct Stripes

Garment with Pocket: Centred on the right pocket
Garment without Pocket: 10 millimetres (0.39 in) below the name badge
Insignia
NCG Uniform - Ceremonial Guard Green with Gold Stripes
Level 1	Level II	Level III
	No Image

Head Dress

Head Dress

Cap Badge	Beret	Service Dress Cap

NCO Rank

NCO Service Dress Rank

Staff Sergeant	Sergeant

NCO Service Dress Rank

Corporal	Lance Corporal

Uniforms

Uniforms

Jacket	Trousers

See also

• List of badges of the South African Army
• Bands of the South African National Defence Force

External links

• SONA 2013 Behind the Scenes: National Ceremonial Guard and Military Band
• National Ceremonial Guard Band
• National Ceremonial Guard held a full dress rehearsal in CT

References

1. "Scientia Militaria". South African Journal of Military Studies. 16 (5). 1986.
2. Helfritch, Kim (August 16, 2017). "The National Ceremonial Guard – not only a precision drill showcase". Archived from the original on June 6, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
3. "State President's Guard". 15 March 2018. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. It was revived by president Mandela in the late 1990s, in its present form as the "National Ceremonial Guard".
4. "EVALUATION PROCEDURES IN IDMAC-REGULATED SERVICE BANDS" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-08-26. Retrieved 2020-04-15.

• 1996 establishments in South Africa
• Regiments of South Africa
• Military units and formations in Pretoria
• South African ceremonial units