The following lists events that happened during 1838 in South Africa.
Events
February
4 February - The Zulu King, Dingaan signs a deed of cession to cede land to the voortrekkers led by Piet Retief
April
11 April - Battle of Italeni where Zulus repulsed the Voortrekkers close to uMgungundlovu. 11 April - Voortrekker leaders Piet Uys and his son Dirkie Uys die in battle at the hands of the Zulus.
December
4 December - British forces occupy Durban. 16 December - The Battle of Blood River, Voortrekkers under Andries Pretorius defeat the Zulus. 22 December - Potchefstroom is established
Unknown
A municipality is formed covering the Green Point-Sea Point areas in Cape Town
The Voortrekkers establish Natalia Republic with Pietermaritzburg as capital
Deaths
6 February - Voortrekker leader Piet Retief and his men are murdered by the Zulus under the command of Dingaan 25 October - Voortrekker leader Louis Tregardt (55), died of malaria in Delagoa bay