15 February 1886
The Barolong settlement Mahikeng was renamed Mafeking by Sir Charles Warren , leader of a military expedition, after the annexation of Bechuanaland by the British. Warren was the chairman of the land commission, established to settle all land disputes in the territory after the Bechuanaland Wars. The town, which was laid out by Warren's military force, was established within close proximity of Ga-Ratshidi, the Barolong capital. The municipality was established in October 1896.
References

ANC,"15 February 1886",From: ANC,[Online],Available at: www.anc.org.za,[Accessed on: 28 January 2014]