1838 in South Africa

Events

February

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

April

• April - Battle of Italeni where Zulus repulsed the Voortrekkers.
• 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 Republiek of Natalia with Pietermaritzburg as capital

Deaths

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

References

See Timeline of South African history for list of References