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The following lists events that happened during 1863 in South Africa.
Incumbents
- Governor of the Cape of Good Hope and High Commissioner for Southern Africa: Sir Philip Wodehouse.
- Lieutenant-governor of the Colony of Natal: John Scott.
- State President of the Orange Free State:
- Marthinus Wessel Pretorius (until 17 June).
- Jacobus Johannes Venter (acting from 20 June).
- President of the Executive Council of the South African Republic: W.C. Janse van Rensburg (acting until instated).
Events
;March
- 18 – Joseph Allison becomes acting State President of the Orange Free State until 17 June during the absence of M.W. Pretorius.
Births
Deaths
Railways
Railway lines opened
- 4 November – Cape Western – Stellenbosch to Wellington, .