1856 in South Africa

	1856 in South Africa
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Timeline of South African history

Events

Approximately 3000 Crimean War veterans (German Legionnaires) settled in Kaffraria, later joined by 2700 German civilians.
Natal becomes a separate colony.
February - U.G. Lauts dismissed as consul of the Orange Free State in the Netherlands
13 October - State President Boshoff of the Orange Free State lays the foundation stone of Grey College in Bloemfontein
17 December - The Boer republic of Lydenburg is established
The Battle of Ndondakusuka: Mpande's sons Mbuyazwe and Cetshwayo battle for kingship of Zululand. Cetshwayo is successful, and 23,000 Zulu die.

26 March - Christiaan Willem Hendrik van der Post, member of the Orange Free State Volksraad and poet, is born in Leiden, Netherlands