__NOTOC__ The following lists events that happened during 1856 in South Africa.
Incumbents Governor of the Cape Colony - Sir George Grey
Monarch - Queen Alexandrina Victoria
Events The Cape Government promulgates the Masters and Servants Act, favoring white settlers over black labourers. Approximately 3000 Crimean War veterans (German Legionnaires) settled in Kaffraria, later joined by 2700 German civilians. New Natal legislature sets rules for importing Indian indentured labor to meet the demands of sugar planters. February - U.G. Lauts dismissed as consul of the Orange Free State in the Netherlands 15 July - Natal is made a separate British colony, after being part of Cape colony since 1843. Theophilus Shepstone becomes Secretary for Native Affairs. 13 October - State President Boshoff of the Orange Free State lays the foundation stone of Grey College in Bloemfontein 17 December - The Boer republic of Lydenburg is established The Battle of Ndondakusuka: Mpande's sons Mbuyazwe and Cetshwayo battle for kingship of Zululand. Cetshwayo is successful, and 23,000 Zulu die. The AmaXhosa, devastated by land loss and disease, follow Nongqawuse’s prophecy, leading to mass cattle slaughter, famine, and near destruction of their society.
Births 26 March - Christiaan Willem Hendrik van der Post, member of the Orange Free State Volksraad and poet, is born in Leiden, Netherlands
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