11 South African Infantry Battalion was a motorised infantry unit of the South African Army. Infantry men are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot, historically this infantry has provided the most among of casualties during war.

11 SA infantry Battalion, was a border protection unit responsible for the area around Pongola to Kosi mouth including the Makhatini Flats.

The unit was established originally as a base to demonstrate presence in the area. It was originally a section of the Natal Command Training Wing. One of its original purposes was to conduct training in counter insurgency for local commando units. It had no permanent troops only a Headquarters units, a signal troop, a log component with its own base below the dam, MP station and a sick bay. Troops from other units were deployed here for border control units.

Satellite Bases:

By 1973, 73 Zulu speaking troops were recruited and trained at the base. The base was also tasked to plant sisal along the South African (Natal)- Mozambique border in an attempt to curtail illegal border crossings.

By 1980, the base became the HQ of the Northern Natal Military operational area and the first illustrated flash was issued.

By 1981 the unit was deployed to assist the government with the containment of a cholera epidemic.

In 1984 the unit was involved in humanitarian operation in the wake of Cyclone Demoina.