1838 in South Africa
# 1838 in South Africa

The following lists events that happened during 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

* 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
