| |
| 1877–78 |
| |
| The last Cape-Xhosa war resulted in famine and defeat for the Xhosa. | 1 |
| |
| 1879, Jan. 12–Sept. 1 |
| |
| The British invaded and defeated the Zulu kingdom, after suffering a major defeat in the first battle at Isandlwana. The British rushed in reinforcements and won a decisive victory at Ulundi. Military defeat led to series of civil wars in the former kingdom and finally to annexation by Britain in 1887. | 2 |
| The Afrikaner Bond was founded by Jan Hofmeyer to promote the Dutch language. It soon rallied most of the Dutch elements in South Africa. The Bond soon developed a political position favoring the elimination of all interference from the British government. | 3 |
| |
| 1880–81 |
| |
| Boers in the Transvaal revolted against the British. In Dec. 1881 Boer leaders, including Kruger, Joubert, and Pretorius, declared the South African Republic. Boers defeated British forces at Laing's Nek in Jan. and at Majuba Hill in Feb. The British recognized the republic on April 5 in the Treaty of Pretoria. | 4 |
| |
| 1880 |
| |
| The Barnato Diamond Mining Company was founded by Barney Barnato, and the De Beers Mining Corporation was founded by Cecil Rhodes and Alfred Beit. | 5 |
| |
| 1883 |
| |
| Britain crushed Pedi kingdom and reduced it to a reserve within its former territory. | 6 |
| Germans established settlements in Southwest Africa and at Angora Reqana, between Cape Colony and Angola. | 7 |
| |
| April 16 |
| |
| Kruger became president of the South African Republic. | 8 |
| |
| |
