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.
