1879 in South Africa

See also: 1878 in South Africa, other events of 1879, 1880 in South Africa and the Timeline of South African history.

Events

• 11 January – Britain declares war aganist the Zulus and launches the Anglo-Zulu War after the an ultimatum issued on 11 December 1878 is regected
• 22 January – The Zulus wipe out British forces at the Battle of Isandlwana
• 7 March – The first British troops from all over the empire arrive in Durban
• 12 March – A force of 2,000 Zulus attacks a British camp at Ntombi River. Of the 60 men in the camp, only 15 escape.
• 4 July – The Zulus are defeated at Ulundi and the war ends
• 28 August – The Zulu King Cetshwayo is captured

Births

Deaths

• 1 June – Napoléon Eugène, Prince Imperial is killed when ambushed by Zulus during the Anglo-Zulu War