The following lists events that happened during 1871 in South Africa.
Incumbents Governor of the Cape of Good Hope and High Commissioner for Southern Africa: Sir Henry Barkly. Lieutenant-governor of the Colony of Natal: Robert William Keate. State President of the Orange Free State: Jan Brand.Archontology.org: A Guide for Study of Historical Offices, Orange Free State: Heads of State: 1854-1902 (Accessed on 14 April 2017) State President of the South African Republic: Marthinus Wessel Pretorius (until 20 November).Archontology.org: A Guide for Study of Historical Offices, South African Republic (Transvaal): Heads of State: 1857-1877 (Accessed on 14 April 2017) Daniel Jacobus Erasmus (acting from 21 November).
Events October 27 – British forces march into the Klipdrift Republic and annex the territory as Griqualand West Colony.
November 21 – Daniel Jacobus Erasmus becomes acting State President of the South African Republic.
Unknown date Gold is discovered at Pilgrim's Creek in the Pilgrim's Rest area. When an diamond is discovered, a diamond rush results and the town of New Rush springs up.
Births 9 January – Eugène Marais, lawyer, naturalist, poet and writer. (d. 1936) 7 April – Charlotte Maxeke, religious leader, social worker and political activist. (d. 1939)
Deaths 4 October – Sarel Cilliers, Voortrekker leader and preacher. (b. 1801)
Railways
Railway lines opened
18 February – Namaqualand – Port Nolloth to Muishondfontein, .
Locomotives Two gauge 0-6-0 tank locomotives are placed in service by the Cape of Good Hope Copper Mining Company, the first steam locomotives to enter service on the hitherto mule-powered Namaqualand Railway between Port Nolloth and the Namaqualand copper mines around O'okiep in the Cape Colony.
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