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The San people were the first settlers; the Khoikhoi and Bantu-speaking tribes followed.
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Apprenticeship laws are promulgated at the Cape.
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A massive drought begins in Southern Africa resulting in the Mahlatule famine. This resulted in conflict over cattle, grain and water between various indigenous tribes resulting in war and eventually contributing to the Mfecane
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Apprenticeship laws are promulgated at the Cape.
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After occupying the Cape Colony in that year, Britain took permanent possession in 1815 at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, bringing in 5,000 settlers.
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The Mfecane roughly starts at this time.
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Dingiswayo of the Mthethwa leads all his forces against Zwide of the Ndwandwe and is seized in an ambush and put to death, which results in the scattering of his people.
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Zwide of the Ndwandwe becomes aware of Shaka Zulu’s strategy of pulling together the scattered Mthethwa tribe and resolves to subdue Shaka. He is defeated by the Zulu’s superior strategy and discipline.
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As he had done with Zwide of the Ndwandwe Mzilikazi of the Ndebele revolt against Shaka and flee to the Transvaal Highveld with his following.
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Around this time Mzilikazi and his Ndebele forces conquer the Pedi kingdom.
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June: The Fokeng led by Sebetwane, the Hlokoane and the Phuting converge on the Tlhaping settlement of Dithakong.
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English traders land at Port Natal, which later becomes Durban, and Shaka Zulu not only trades with them, but also makes use of their services on military expeditions.
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A Portuguese delegation visits Shaka Zulu’s court to discuss his interest in the ivory trade.
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Mzilikazi and the Ndebele attack and defeat the Ngwaketse and their ruler Makaba.
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Anglicization of government and the freeing of slaves in 1833 drove about 12,000 Afrikaners to make the “great trek” north and east into African tribal territory, where they established the republics of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State.
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Mzilikazi and the Ndebele leave the Pedi Kingdom and move in a southwesterly direction and settle near the Vaal River.
