1856 in South Africa
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Incumbents
Events
- The Cape Government promulgates the Masters and Servants Act, favoring white settlers over black labourers.[3]
- Approximately 3000 Crimean War veterans (German Legionnaires) settled in Kaffraria, later joined by 2700 German civilians.
- New Natal legislature sets rules for importing Indian indentured labor to meet the demands of sugar planters.[3]
- February - U.G. Lauts dismissed as consul of the Orange Free State in the Netherlands
- 15 July - Natal is made a separate British colony, after being part of Cape colony since 1843. Theophilus Shepstone becomes Secretary for Native Affairs.[4][3]
- 13 October - State President Boshoff of the Orange Free State lays the foundation stone of Grey College in Bloemfontein
- 17 December - The Boer republic of Lydenburg is established
- The Battle of Ndondakusuka: Mpande's sons Mbuyazwe and Cetshwayo battle for kingship of Zululand. Cetshwayo is successful, and 23,000 Zulu die.[3]
- The AmaXhosa, devastated by land loss and disease, follow Nongqawuseâs prophecy, leading to mass cattle slaughter, famine, and near destruction of their society.[3]
Births
- 26 March - Christiaan Willem Hendrik van der Post, member of the Orange Free State Volksraad and poet, is born in Leiden, Netherlands