See also: 1851 in South Africa, other events of 1852, 1853 in South Africa and the Timeline of South African history.

Events

January

• 17 January - The South African Republic is established with the signing of the Sand River Convention

February

• 26 February - The British troopship, HMS Birkenhead is wrecked near Gansbaai, Western Cape

March

• 16 March - Voortrekker leaders, Andries Pretorius and Hendrik Potgieter reconcil

Unknown date

• Copper mining begins at Springbokfontein

Births

Deaths

• 25 June - Ludwig Heinrich Beil, musician and botanist, dies in Keurbooms River near Plettenberg Bay