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The following lists events that happened during 1865 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 Maclean (until 25 July).
- Sir John Thomas (acting from 26 July to 25 August).
- Sir John Bisset (acting from 26 August).
- State President of the Orange Free State: Jan Brand.
- President of the Executive Council of the South African Republic: Marthinus Wessel Pretorius.
Events
;July
- 26 – Sir John Thomas becomes acting Lieutenant-governor of the Colony of Natal.
;August
- 26 – Sir John Bisset becomes acting Lieutenant-governor of the Colony of Natal.
;Date unknown
- Ostriches are domesticated.
- Economic depression hits South Africa.
- War breaks out for the second time between the Orange Free State and Basothos.
Births
- 12 January – Jan F. E. Celliers, poet, writer and dramatist. (d. 1940)
- 20 August – Bernard Tancred, cricketer. (d. 1911)
Deaths
thumb|[[Natal Railway 0-4-0ST Durban|Natal Railway 0-4-0ST "Durban"]]
- 13 August – Willem Cornelis Janse van Rensburg, second President of the Executive Council of the South African Republic. (b. 1818)
- Date unknown – Louw Wepener, military leader in the Orange Free State. (b. 1812)
Railways
Locomotives
- The Natal Railway Company obtains a saddle-tank locomotive from Kitson and Company. The Natal Railway's second locomotive is named Durban.
