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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).
  • 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.
  • President of the Executive Council of the South African Republic: Stephanus Schoeman (acting).

Events

;August

  • 15 &ndash; Sir Robert Wynyard becomes acting Governor of the Cape of Good Hope and High Commissioner for Southern Africa.

;September

  • 16 &ndash; Roman Rock Lighthouse at the entrance to Simon's Town begins operating after taking 4 years to build.

Births

  • 10 November &ndash; 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

References