1838 in South Africa



The following lists events that happened during 1838 in South Africa.

February

 * 4 February - The Zulu King, Dingaan signs a deed of cession to cede land to the voortrekkers led by Piet Retief

April

 * 11 April - Battle of Italeni where Zulus repulsed the Voortrekkers close to uMgungundlovu.
 * 11 April - Voortrekker leaders Piet Uys and his son Dirkie Uys die in battle at the hands of the Zulus.

December

 * 4 December - British forces occupy Durban.
 * 16 December - The Battle of Blood River, Voortrekkers under Andries Pretorius defeat the Zulus.
 * 22 December - Potchefstroom is established

Unknown

 * A municipality is formed covering the Green Point-Sea Point areas in Cape Town
 * The Voortrekkers establish Natalia Republic with Pietermaritzburg as capital

Deaths

 * 6 February - Voortrekker leader Piet Retief and his men are murdered by the Zulus under the command of Dingaan
 * 25 October - Voortrekker leader Louis Tregardt (55), died of malaria in Delagoa bay