March13 – The Potchefstroom treaty is signed by Paul Kruger and F.W. Reitz, the respective Presidents of the South African Republic (ZAR) and the Orange Free State. The treaty binds each state to assist the other whenever either is unjustly attacked.October29 – The British South Africa Company receives a Royal Charter.Unknown dateIn Transvaal a national rugby team is formed.16 March – Reggie Walker, 1908 Olympic champion in the 100 metres. (d. 1951)11 June – Moses Kottler, sculptor, is born in Joniskis, Lithuania.23 April – Namaqualand – Braakpits Junction to Flat Mine, Concordia, 9 miles (14.5 kilometres).4 September – Natal – Ladysmith to Glencoe Junction, 41 miles 5 chains (66.1 kilometres).21 October – Cape Western – Eerste River to Somerset West, 8 miles 79 chains (14.5 kilometres).CapeThe Cape Government Railways places twenty-four 3rd Class 4-4-0 American type tender locomotives in passenger service on the Cape Western System, the first stock locomotives to be built in quantity to detailed designs prepared in the Cape Colony.
TransvaalThree locomotive types enter service on the newly established Nederlandsche-Zuid-Afrikaansche Spoorwegmaatschappij:
The first of three 10 Tonner tramway locomotives for use on its first railway line which is being constructed from Johannesburg to Boksburg.One 13 Tonner locomotive for use on this line which would become known as the Randtram line.Five 14 Tonner locomotives for use on the Randtram line.