1838 in South Africa

See also: 1837 in South Africa, other events of 1838, 1839 in South Africa and the Timeline of South African history.

Events

• Voortrekkers under the leadership of Piet Retief arrived in Natal over the Drakensberg mountains after trekking overland from the Cape Colony during the Great Trek
• A municipality is formed covering the Green Point-Sea Point areas in Cape Town
• 4 December – British forces occupy Durban
• 16 December – The Battle of Blood River, Voortrekkers under Andries Pretorius defeat the Zulus
• The Voortrekkers establish Republiek of Natalia with Pietermaritzburg as capital
• 22 December – Potchefstroom is established

Births

Deaths

• February – Voortrekker leader Piet Retief and his men are murdered by the Zulus under the command of Dingaan