1839 in South Africa

• Henry Jervis is elected the Military Administrator of Port Natal
• Johannes Stephanus Maritz is voted Natalia Republic's chairperson of the Raad
• Johannes Stephanus Maritz is voted Natalia Republic's chairperson of the Raad for the second time
• The Cape Colony relinquishes Port Natal, and it is incorporated into the Natalia Republic.
• The town of Pietermaritzburg is founded. It is named after the Voortrekker leaders Gert Maritz and Piet Retief.

• 7 December - Redvers Henry Buller in at Crediton, Devonshire
• John Robinson, the first Prime minister of Natal (1893 - 1897) is born

• Barend Barends, Kaptyn of Griqualand West, dies
• Du Pré Alexander, Earl of Caledon and Governor of the Cape Colony, dies
• Sir John Francis Cradock, Governor of the Cape, dies

See Years in South Africa for list of References