__NOTOC__ The following lists events that happened during 1838 in South Africa.
Events
Source: February 4 February - The AmaZulu King, Dingane signs a deed of cession to cede land to the voortrekkers led by Piet Retief
April 11 April - Battle of Italeni where the AmaZulu 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 - Britain occupies Port Natal, denying the Republic of Natalia access to trade routes. 16 December - The Battle of Blood River, Voortrekkers under Andries Pretorius defeat the AmaZulu. 22 December - Potchefstroom is founded as the Transvaal Republic's capital by Andries Hendrik Potgieter.
Unknown A municipality is formed covering the Green Point-Sea Point areas in Cape Town The Voortrekkers establish Natalia Republic with Pietermaritzburg as capital Voortrekkers draft a Constitution enforcing White supremacy and a racial master-servant order. The Volksraad of 24 elected men is established with legislative, judiciary, and executive powers. Voortrekkers defeat the AmaZulu at the Battle of Blood River, killing 3,000 troops. Cape slavery ends as the 1834 "apprenticeship" system is abolished.
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
References
See Years in South Africa for list of References