See also: 1916 in South Africa, other events of 1917, 1918 in South Africa and the Timeline of South African history.

Events

• The Castle in Cape Town is handed over to the South African Defence Force
• 16 January - The SS Mendi, a troopship, set sail from Cape Town to Le Havre, France transporting 823 members of the 802nd South African Native Labour Corps
• 21 February - The SS Mendi is struck on the starboard side by the SS Darro, a 11,000 ton liner, and 646 people lose their lives

Births

Deaths