See also: 1885 in South Africa, other events of 1886, 1887 in South Africa and the Timeline of South African history.

Events

• The discovery of the main gold reef on the Witwatersrand which gave birth to Ferreira's Camp later to be called Johannesburg
• 11 October - The Standard Bank of South Africa opens the first bank in Ferreira's Camp

Births

• 13 December - Henry Selby Msimang, political activist, journalist, interpreter and farm manager is born in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg

Deaths