February
1 – The Aliens Act No. 1 is promulgated, restricting and regulating the entry of certain aliens into the Union of South Africa and regulating the right of any person to assume a surname.
April
5 – Sir Patrick Duncan is appointed the 6th Governor-General of the Union of South Africa.
21 April – Ben Mzimkulu Macala, artist, is born in Bloemfontein.
1 June – Ezrom Kgobokanyo Sebata Legae, artist, is born in Vrededorp, Johannesburg.
18 September – Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, politician, is born in Kroonstad, Orange Free State.
Four new locomotive types, three steam and one electric, enter service on the South African Railways (SAR):
The first of 235 Class 19D 4-8-2 Mountain type steam locomotives.
A single Class 21 2-10-4 Texas type steam locomotive.
The first of thirty-four Class NG G16 narrow gauge 2-6-2+2-6-2 Double Prairie type Garratt articulated locomotives.
Three German-built 3 kV DC Class 2E electric locomotives.
