1861 in South Africa

← 1860 1859 1858 1861 in South Africa → 1862 1863 1864
Decades:	1840s 1850s 1860s 1870s 1880s
See also:	List of years 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). ^{[1] [2]}
  • 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. ^[3]
• President of the Executive Council of the South African Republic: Stephanus Schoeman (acting). ^[4]

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)

Deaths

Main article: deaths in 1861

Further information: Category:1861 deaths

References

1. "Sir George Grey (1812–1898)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
2. "Botswana". World Statemen. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
3. "Orange Free State: Heads of State: 1854-1902". Archontology. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
4. "South African Republic: Heads of State: 1857-1877". Archontology. Retrieved 12 September 2024.