1861 in South Africa explained

The following lists events that happened during 1861 in South Africa.

Incumbents

• Governor of the Cape of Good Hope and High Commissioner for Southern Africa:
  • Sir George Grey (until 14 August).^{[1] [2]}
  • Sir Robert Wynyard (acting from 15 August).
• Lieutenant-governor of the Colony of Natal: John Scott.
• State President of the Orange Free State: Marthinus Wessel Pretorius.^[3]
• President of the Executive Council of the South African Republic: Stephanus Schoeman (acting).^[4]

Events

August

• 15  - Sir Robert Wynyard becomes acting Governor of the Cape of Good Hope and High Commissioner for Southern Africa.

September

• 16  - Roman Rock Lighthouse at the entrance to Simon's Town begins operating after taking 4 years to build.

Births

• 10 November  - Robert T. A. Innes, astronomer and secretary-accountant at the Cape observatory. (d. 1933)
• Sefako Mapogo Makgatho, the second African National Congress president. (d. 1951)

Notes and References

1. Book: Australian Dictionary of Biography . National Centre of Biography, Australian National University . Sir George Grey (1812–1898) . 2024-09-12 . http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/grey-sir-george-2125.
2. Web site: Botswana . 2024-09-12 . World Statemen.
3. Web site: Orange Free State: Heads of State: 1854-1902 . 2024-09-12 . Archontology.
4. Web site: South African Republic: Heads of State: 1857-1877 . 2024-09-12 . Archontology.