See also: other events of the 15th century, 16th century in South Africa, and the Timeline of South African history.

Events

1480s

• 12 March 1488 - Bartholomew Diaz, a Portuguese navigator, lands at what is to become Mossel Bay in the Western Cape Province and erects the first stone cross on the South African coast

1490s

• 1497 - Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese navigator, discovers the sea route to India around the Cape of Good Hope
• 25 December 1497 - Vasco da Gama anchored at present day Durban and named it "Rio De Natal"

Births

Deaths