The following lists events that happened during the 1790s in South Africa. Events 1790 More Xhosa clans started crossing the Great Fish Riverin search of better grazing 1791 29 June – Johan Isaac Rhenius is appointed acting Governor of the Cape Colony 1792 A Dutch Reformed Church is founded in Graaff Reinet A Moravian Mission is founded at Genadendal 23 June – Sebastiaan Cornelis Nederburgh and Simon Hendrik Frijkenius, both Commissioner-Generals of the Dutch East India Company arrive in the Cape to settle disputes between the free citizens and the company. 3 July – Sebastiaan Nederburgh is appointed Commissioner-general of the Cape 1793 Xhosas clash with the white settlers at the Fish River starting full out war, 2nd Cape Frontier War War is declared by the victorious French revolutionaries against the Dutch Prince of Orange Britain goes to war against France 2 September – Abraham Josias Sluysken is appointed the Governor of the Cape. He is the last governor under Dutch East India Company rule 8 October – After a series of victories, the Dutch commandoes led by Landdrost Honoratus CD Maynier, could not force the Xhosa over the Fish River and peace was accepted and thereby ending the 2nd Cape Frontier War. 1795 The Dutch East India Company is in financial ruins 29 January – Farmers expelled the officials of the Dutch East India Company and established an independent government at Graaff Reinet 18 June Swellendam follows Graaff Reinet and declares a republic under Hermanus Steyn The Netherlands is invaded by the French under the leadership of Napoléon Bonaparte A republic is declared by Dutch revolutionaries and the Prince of Orange flees to England 16 September – British forces under General Sir James Henry Craig seizes the Cape Colony for the Stadtholder Prince William V of Orange The republics of Graaff Reinet and Swellendam reject the British and the British army is sent in The start of free trade was announced 1797 5 March – The Cape becomes a British colony 4 May – Sir John Barrow, author and explorer, arrives at the Cape Colony 23 May – The first British Governor of the Cape Colony, Lord Macartney, arrives. 1798 The first Post Office is established in the Cape Colony The Dutch East India Company is liquidated The first mosque in southern Africa is established in Dorp Street by Tuan Guru A Dutch Reformed Church is founded at Swellendam