1816 in South Africa
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Events
- In early 1816, Ntsikana Gaba, an influential amaXhosa diviner, converted to Christianity.[1] He renounced his former practices and began holding daily worship services, for which he composed some of the first Christian hymns in the Xhosa language.[2] A visitor from the London Missionary Society, Rev. Joseph Williams, attested in September 1816 that "the man Ntsikana daily meets with a devoted circle for prayer."[3]
- Around July, Shaka becomes king of the Zulu people after the death of his father, Senzangakhona kaJama.[4][5] With the support of Dingiswayo, chief of the Mthethwa, Shaka seized power by killing his half-brother and rival, Sigujana.[6] His accession marked the beginning of major military reforms that saw the Zulu army expand significantly within a year.[7]:â72â
Deaths
- 9 March â Cornelius Faber, Hendrik Prinsloo, Theunis de Klerk, and brothers Stefanus and Abraham Bothma are hanged for the Slagter's Nek Rebellion.[8] The executions were ordered by Colonel Jacob Glen Cuyler.[9] During the public hanging, four of the five ropes broke; the condemned men were forced to wait for some hours amid public agitation before being hanged a second time.[7]:â67â[10]