Although South Africa is usually thought of as a warm country, it does get cold at times, especially at night and in the winter or at high altitudes. As such the SADF developed a range of cold weather clothing, including a version of the parka known as a ‘warm’. The term ‘warm’ comes form the British Warm Coat of the Second World War and the terminology carried on in the South African Army through into the 1970s. The South African Warm is a thigh length coat, made in nutria brown and with a large hood: 

The coat fastens up the front with a long zip and a set of plastic buttons: 

The coat is ‘scalable’ and can be adapted depending on how cold it is by buttoning in a pile liner to increase its protection from the cold: 

The large hood has a drawstring running round the edge and a button to secure it under the chin: 

Each cuff has a tab and button to allow a tight fit to be secured around the wrist to help keep the warmth inside the garment: 

Epaulettes secured by a button are provided on each shoulder: 

Both the liner and warm have labels sewn into them, both dating from 1987: 

These coats were not personal issue, but were pool clothing issued to men as and when they were needed. They were known as ‘AAPJAS’ coats or ‘Ape Jackets’ by the troops issued them, possibly for their bulky appearance and were noted as being very useful for doing guard duty in the winter. In this image from a winter patrol in Ovamboland the coat can be seen being worn by a soldier: