The following lists events that happened during the 1600s in South Africa.

Events

• 1594 - 1601 - James Lancaster, an English navigator, explores the southern African coast and establishes trade relationships with the Khoikhoi
• 20 March 1602 - the Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (VOC) or better known as the Dutch East India Company is established in the Netherlands
• 1608 - The Portuguese ship, Santo Esperitu, is believed to have been shipwrecked off the eastern coast of South Africa