1861 in South Africa

The following lists events that happened during 1861 in South Africa.

Incumbents

 * Governor of the Cape of Good Hope and High Commissioner for Southern Africa:
 * Sir George Grey (until 14 August).
 * Sir Robert Wynyard (acting from 15 August).
 * Lieutenant-governor of the Colony of Natal: John Scott.
 * State President of the Orange Free State: Marthinus Wessel Pretorius.
 * President of the Executive Council of the South African Republic: Stephanus Schoeman (acting).

Events

 * August
 * 15 – Sir Robert Wynyard becomes acting Governor of the Cape of Good Hope and High Commissioner for Southern Africa.


 * September
 * 16 – Roman Rock Lighthouse at the entrance to Simon's Town begins operating after taking 4 years to build.

Births

 * 10 November – Robert T. A. Innes, astronomer and secretary-accountant at the Cape observatory. (d. 1933)
 * Sefako Mapogo Makgatho, the second African National Congress president. (d. 1951)