This is a list of notable and famous South Africans who are the subjects of Wikipedia articles.

Academics

Academics

Estian Calitz Estian Calitz (born 23 May 1949) is the executive director of finance and professor of economics at Stellenbosch University, South Africa since 2003. Calitz was born and grew up in the Western Cape Province town of George, South Africa. After co ...

, academic (born 1949) * Jakes Gerwel, academic and anti-apartheid activist (1946–2012) *

Miriam Green Miriam Green (born c.1950) is a South-African/British organizational theorist, and Senior Lecturer in Organisation Studies in the Department of Management and Professional Development at London Metropolitan University from 1980 to 2008.London ...

, academic now living in England *

Adam Habib Adam Mahomed Habib (born 1965) is a South African academic administrator serving as Director of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London since 1 January 2021. He served as Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Universit ...

, political scientist (born 1965) * Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, academic and politician (1894–1948) * Thamsanqa Kambule, South African Mathematician and Educator (1921–2009) *

Tshilidzi Marwala Tshilidzi Marwala (born 28 July 1971) is a South African artificial intelligence engineer, a computer scientist, a mechanical engineer and a university administrator. Early life and education Marwala was born at Duthuni Village in the Li ...

, academic and businessman (born 1971) *

Njabulo Ndebele Njabulo Simakahle Ndebele (born 4 July 1948) is an academic and writer of fiction who is the former vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Cape Town (UCT). On November 16, 2012, he was inaugurated as the chancellor of the Univer ...

, Principal of the University of Cape Town (born 1948) *

D. C. S. Oosthuizen Daniel Charl Stephanus Oosthuizen (also known as Daantjie Oosthuizen; 15 January 1926 – 4 April 1969) was a South African philosopher, and an early Afrikaner voice against Apartheid. The main direction of his philosophical work lay in the f ...

, philosopher, (1926–1968) * Adriaan N Pelzer, historian and Vice-Principal University Pretoria (1915–1981) *

Michiel Daniel Overbeek Michiel Daniel Overbeek (15 September 1920 in Ermelo, Mpumalanga, South Africa – 19 July 2001 in Johannesburg), also known as Danie Overbeek, was a South African amateur astronomer and one of the most prolific variable star observers. Life He s ...

, South African

amateur astronomer Amateur astronomy is a hobby where participants enjoy observing or imaging celestial objects in the sky using the unaided eye, binoculars, or telescopes. Even though scientific research may not be their primary goal, some amateur astronomers ...

and prolific

variable star A variable star is a star whose brightness as seen from Earth (its apparent magnitude) changes with time. This variation may be caused by a change in emitted light or by something partly blocking the light, so variable stars are classified as e ...

observers (1920–2001) * Pierre de Villiers Pienaar, pioneering role in speech language therapy and lexicography in South Africa (1904–1978) * Calie Pistorius, academic and Principal of the University of Pretoria (born 1958) *

Benedict Wallet Vilakazi Benedict Wallet Vilakazi (6 January 1906 – 26 October 1947) was a South African novelist, a descendant of the Zulu royal family, and author of Romantic poetry in the Zulu language. Vilakazi was also a professor at the University of Witwate ...

, author, educator, and first

black Black is a color which results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without hue, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness. Black and white ...

South African to receive a PhD (1906–1947) * David Webster, anthropologist (1945–1989)

Medical and veterinary

* Abraham Manie Adelstein, UK Chief Medical Statistician (1916–1992) *

Christiaan Barnard Christiaan Neethling Barnard (8 November 1922 – 2 September 2001) was a South African cardiac surgeon who performed the world's first human-to-human heart transplant operation. On 3 December 1967, Barnard transplanted the heart of accident-v ...

, pioneering heart surgeon (1922–2001) *

Wouter Basson Wouter Basson (born 6 July 1950) is a South African cardiologist and former head of the country's secret chemical and biological warfare project, Project Coast, during the apartheid era. Nicknamed "Dr. Death" by the press for his alleged acti ...

, medical scientist (born 1950) *

John Borthwick (veterinary surgeon) John Dowie Borthwick (1867–1936) was a veterinary surgeon in the Cape Colony, South Africa Early life Borthwick was born in Kirkliston, Scotland to John Borthwick (also a vet) and Janet Dowie. He studied veterinary medicine at the Edi ...

, veterinary surgeon in the

Cape Colony The Cape Colony ( nl, Kaapkolonie), also known as the Cape of Good Hope, was a British colony in present-day South Africa named after the Cape of Good Hope, which existed from 1795 to 1802, and again from 1806 to 1910, when it united with t ...

(1867–1936) *

Mary Malahlela Mary Malahlela-Xakana (2 May 1916 – 8 May 1981) was the first black woman to register as a medical doctor in South Africa (in 1947). She was also a founding member of the Young Women’s Christian Association. Early life and education Mary S ...

, first black woman to register as a medical doctor in South Africa (1916–1981) *

Joan Morice Joan Alison Morice (5 October 1904 – 24 November 1944) was the first woman to qualify and practice as a veterinary surgeon in South Africa. She graduated from Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, South Africa in 1927 and it was nineteen years l ...

, first female veterinary surgeon in South Africa (1904–1944) *

Anna Coutsoudis Anna Coutsoudis (born 21 September 1952) is a South African public health scientist and academic who has conducted research on HIV and nutrition, specializing in the benefits of breastfeeding. An elected member of the Academy of Science of Sou ...

, public health scientist (born 1952) *

Patrick Soon-Shiong Patrick Soon-Shiong (born July 29, 1952) is a Chinese-South African transplant surgeon, billionaire businessman, bioscientist, and media proprietor. He is the inventor of the drug Abraxane, which became known for its efficacy against lung, bre ...

, surgeon, founder Abraxis BioScience, billionaire (born 1952) *

Arnold Theiler Sir Arnold Theiler KCMG (26 March 1867 – 24 July 1936) Pour le Mérite is considered to be the father of veterinary science in South Africa. He was born in Frick, Canton Aargau, Switzerland. He received his higher education, and later qu ...

, veterinarian (1867–1936) *

Max Theiler Max Theiler (30 January 1899 – 11 August 1972) was a South African-American virologist and physician. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1951 for developing a vaccine against yellow fever in 1937, becoming the first ...

, virologist, 1951

Nobel Prize The Nobel Prizes ( ; sv, Nobelpriset ; no, Nobelprisen ) are five separate prizes that, according to Alfred Nobel's will of 1895, are awarded to "those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind." Alfr ...

winner (1899–1972) * Lindiwe Sidali, surgeon (born 1984)

Scientists

Andrew Geddes Bain Andrew Geddes Bain (baptised 11 June 1797 – 20 October 1864), was a South African geologist, road engineer, palaeontologist and explorer. Life history The only child of Alexander Bain and Jean Geddes, both of whom died when Bain was still a ...

, geologist (1797–1864) * Peter Beighton, geneticist (born 1934) *

Wilhelm Bleek Wilhelm Heinrich Immanuel Bleek (8 March 1827 – 17 August 1875) was a German linguist. His work included ''A Comparative Grammar of South African Languages'' and his great project jointly executed with Lucy Lloyd: The Bleek and Lloyd Archive o ...

, linguist (1827–1875) *

Robert Broom Robert Broom FRS FRSE (30 November 1866 6 April 1951) was a British- South African doctor and palaeontologist. He qualified as a medical practitioner in 1895 and received his DSc in 1905 from the University of Glasgow. From 1903 to 1910, he ...

, palaeontologist (1866–1951) *

Sydney Brenner Sydney Brenner (13 January 1927 – 5 April 2019) was a South African biologist. In 2002, he shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with H. Robert Horvitz and Sir John E. Sulston. Brenner made significant contributions to work ...

, biologist, 2002 Physiology or Medicine Nobel Prize winner (1927–2019) *

Phillip Clancey Phillip Alexander Clancey (26 September 1917 – 18 July 2001) was a leading authority on the ornithology of South Africa. Background and education Phillip Clancey was born, brought up and educated in Glasgow, Scotland. He studied at the Gl ...

, ornithologist (1918–2001) *

Allan McLeod Cormack Allan MacLeod Cormack (February 23, 1924 – May 7, 1998) was a South African American physicist who won the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (along with Godfrey Hounsfield) for his work on X-ray computed tomography (CT). Early life ...

, physicist (1924–1998) * Zodwa Dlamini, biochemist *

Clement Martyn Doke Clement Martyn Doke (16 May 1893 in Bristol, United Kingdom – 24 February 1980 in East London, South Africa) was a South African linguist working mainly on African languages. Realizing that the grammatical structures of Bantu languages are ...

, linguist (1893–1980) * Mulalo Doyoyo, professor and inventor (born 1970) *

Alexander du Toit Alexander Logie du Toit FRS ( ; 14 March 1878 – 25 February 1948) was a geologist from South Africa and an early supporter of Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift. Early life and education Du Toit was born in Newlands, Cape Town in ...

, geologist (1878–1948) * Robert Allen Dyer, botanist (1900–1987) *

Melville Edelstein Dr Melville Leonard Edelstein (1919June 16, 1976) was born to Nachum and Rose Edelstein in King William's Town. His Litvak parents had first travelled to the UK and then Cape Town in 1896 before joining the masses of " boere-Jode" frikaner or fa ...

, sociologist, killed due to Soweto uprising (1919–1976) *

Wendy Foden Wendy Foden is a conservation biologist, best known for her work on climate change impacts on biodiversity. Education While completing her master's degree at the University of Cape Town (2001), she discovered a latitudinal pattern of die-off of ...

, conservation biologist *

J. W. B. Gunning Jan Willem Boudewijn Gunning (3 September 1860 in Hilversum, North Holland – 26 June 1913 in Pretoria), was a Dutch physician, who served as the director of both the Transvaal Museum, Staatsmuseum and what was then known as the National Zoo ...

, zoologist (1860–1913) *

Quarraisha Abdool Karim Quarraisha Abdool Karim is an infectious diseases epidemiologist and co-founder and Associate Scientific Director of CAPRISA. She is a Professor in Clinical Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York and Pro-Vice Chancellor for African Health, ...

, Associate Scientific Director of the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (

CAPRISA CAPRISA ("Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa") is the name of an AIDS research center based in Durban, South Africa. History CAPRISA was established in 2002 under the National Institutes of Health program called Comprehe ...

) (born 1960) *

Salim Abdool Karim Salim S. Abdool Karim, MBChB, MMed, MS(Epi), FFPHM, FFPath (Virol), DipData, PhD, DSc(hc) is a South African public health physician, epidemiologist and virologist who has played a leading role in the AIDS and COVID-19 pandemic. His scientific ...

, South African

epidemiologist Epidemiology is the study and analysis of the distribution (who, when, and where), patterns and determinants of health and disease conditions in a defined population. It is a cornerstone of public health, and shapes policy decisions and evidenc ...

and infectious diseases specialist (born 1960) *

David Lewis-Williams James David Lewis-Williams (born 1934) is a South African archaeologist. He is best known for his research on southern African San (Bushmen) rock art, of which it can be said that he found a 'Rosetta Stone'. He is the founder and previous direct ...

, archaeologist (born 1934) *

Lucy Lloyd Lucy Catherine Lloyd (7 November 1834 – 31 August 1914) was the creator, along with Wilhelm Bleek, of the 19th-century archive of ǀXam and !Kung texts. Early life Lucy Catherine Lloyd was born in Norbury in England on 7 November 1834. H ...

, anthropologist (1834–1914) *

Thebe Medupe Thebe Rodney Medupe (born 1973) is a South African astrophysicist and founding director of Astronomy Africa. He is perhaps best known for his work on the ''Cosmic Africa'' project that attempts to reconcile science and myth.Schieb, R. ''Cosmic A ...

, astrophysicist (born 1973) *

Hans Merensky Hans Merensky (16 March 1871 – 21 October 1952) was a South African geologist, prospector, scientist, conservationist and philanthropist. He discovered the rich deposit of alluvial diamonds at Alexander Bay in Namaqualand, vast platinum ...

, geologist (1871–1952) * Austin Roberts, zoologist (1883–1948) *

Peter Sarnak Peter Clive Sarnak (born 18 December 1953) is a South African-born mathematician with dual South-African and American nationalities. Sarnak has been a member of the permanent faculty of the School of Mathematics at the Institute for Advanced St ...

, mathematician (born 1953) * Ramotholo Sefako, astrophysicist (born 1971) *

Buyisiwe Sondezi Buyisiwe Sondezi is a South African physicist. She was the first woman in Africa to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in experimental physics of highly correlated matter when she graduated at University of Johannesburg on 23 September 2014. A ...

, physicist (born 1976) *

Basil Schonland Sir Basil Ferdinand Jamieson Schonland OMG CBE FRS (2 February 1896 – 24 November 1972) was noted for his research on lightning, his involvement in the development of radar during World War II and for being the first president of the South ...

, physicist (1896–1972) * J.L.B. Smith, ichthyologist (1897–1968) *

Phillip Tobias Phillip Vallentine Tobias (14 October 1925 – 7 June 2012) was a South African palaeoanthropologist and Professor Emeritus at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. He was best known for his work at South Africa's hominid fossil ...

, palaeontologist (1925–2012)

Theologians

Also see: Prelates, clerics and evangelists *

David Bosch David Jacobus Bosch (13 December 1929 – 15 April 1992) was an influential missiologist and theologian best known for his book ''Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission'' (1991) — a major work on post-colonial C ...

(1929–1992) * John W. de Gruchy (born 1939) *

Dion Forster Dion Angus Forster (born 14 January 1972) is an academic and clergyman. He is an ordained Minister of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, a theologiaand author. He was formerly the Dean (education), Dean of the Seminary of the Methodist Ch ...

(born 1972) *

Johan Heyns Johan Adam Heyns (1928–1994) was an Afrikaner Calvinist theologian and moderator of the general synod of the Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk (NGK) in South Africa. He was assassinated at his home in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria. Early life and ...

(1928–1994)

Writers

Authors

Lady Anne Barnard Lady Anne Barnard (née Lindsay; 8 December 17506 May 1825) was a Scottish travel writer, artist and socialite, and the author of the ballad ''Auld Robin Gray''. Her five-year residence in Cape Town, South Africa, although brief, had a signific ...

, travel writer and artist (1750–1825) *

Herman Charles Bosman Herman Charles Bosman (5 February 1905 – 14 October 1951) is widely regarded as South Africa's greatest short-story writer. He studied the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Mark Twain and developed a style emphasizing the use of satire. His English ...

, author (1905–1951) * André P. Brink, author (1935–2015) * Justin Cartwright, novelist (1943–2018) *

John Maxwell Coetzee John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second ...

, 2003

-winning author (born 1940) *

K. Sello Duiker Kabelo Sello Duiker (13 April 1974 – 19 January 2005) was a South African novelist. His debut novel, ''Thirteen Cents'', won the 2001 Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best First Book, Africa Region. His second novel, ''The Quiet Violence of Drea ...

, novelist (1974–2005) * Sir Percy FitzPatrick, writer, businessman and politician (1862–1931) *

Graeme Friedman Graeme Friedman is a clinical psychologist and an award-winning writer whose short stories have appeared in anthologies published internationally. His book ''The Fossil Artist'' (Jacana, 2010), a novel about crime, authenticity, what it means to be ...

, author and clinical psychologist * Damon Galgut, author (born 1963) * Nadine Gordimer, 1991

-winning author (1923–2014) *

Alfred Hutchinson Alfred Hutchinson (1924 in Hectorspruit, Transvaal Province, South Africa – 14 October 1972 in Nigeria) was a South African author, teacher and activist. Hutchinson went to Swedish missionary school, graduated from St Peter's College in Jo ...

, South African author, teacher and activist (1924–1972) * C. J. Langenhoven, writer and poet (1873–1932) * Pule Lechesa, essayist, literary critic, and poet (born 1976) *

Dalene Matthee Dalene Matthee (13 October 1938 – 20 February 2005) was a South African author best known for her four "Forest Novels", written in and around the Knysna Forest. Her books have been translated into fourteen languages, including English, Fren ...

, author (1938–2005) *

Gcina Mhlope Nokugcina Elsie Mhlophe (born 24 October 1958), known as Gcina Mhlophe, is a South African storyteller, writer, playwright, and actress. In 2016 she was listed as one of BBC's 100 Women. She tells her stories in four of South Africa's languag ...

, author, storyteller, playwright, director, actor (born 1959) *

Deon Meyer Deon Godfrey Meyer is a South African thriller novelist, writing in Afrikaans. His books have been translated into more than 20 languages. He has also written numerous scripts for television and film. Life and career Meyer was born on 4 July 1 ...

, author (born 1958) * Phaswane Mpe, novelist (1970–2004) *

Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh (born 4 January 1989) is a South African author, musician and activist. Mpofu-Walsh was president of the University of Cape Town Students' Representative Council in 2010. He holds a DPhil in International Relations from the Uni ...

, author and musician (born 1989) * Alan Paton, author (1903–1988) * Margaret Roberts, herbalist and writer (1937–2017) * Karel Schoeman, novelist and historian (1939–2017) *

Olive Schreiner Olive Schreiner (24 March 1855 – 11 December 1920) was a South African author, anti-war campaigner and intellectual. She is best remembered today for her novel ''The Story of an African Farm'' (1883), which has been highly acclaimed. It deal ...

, author (1855–1920) *

Mongane Wally Serote Mongane Wally Serote (born 8 May 1944) is a South African poet and writer. He became involved in political resistance to the apartheid government by joining the African National Congress (ANC) and in 1969 was arrested and detained for several m ...

, poet and writer (born 8 May 1944) *

Wilbur Smith Wilbur Addison Smith (9 January 1933 – 13 November 2021) was a Zambian-born British-South African novelist specialising in historical fiction about international involvement in Southern Africa across four centuries, seen from the viewpoints ...

, novelist (1933–2021) *

J. R. R. Tolkien John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (, ; 3 January 1892 – 2 September 1973) was an English writer and philologist. He was the author of the high fantasy works ''The Hobbit'' and ''The Lord of the Rings''. From 1925 to 1945, Tolkien was the Rawlins ...

, author of The Lord of The Rings (1892–1973) *

Etienne van Heerden Etienne van Heerden, born 3 December 1954, is a South African author. Biography Van Heerden was born in 1954, six years after the official advent of apartheid. His mother was an English speaking mathematics teacher. His father, an Afrikaans speak ...

, novelist (born 1956) *

Marlene van Niekerk Marlene van Niekerk (born 10 November 1954) is a South African poet, writer, and academic. She is best known for her novels, the satirical tragicomedy ''Triomf'' (1994) and the Herzog-winning ''Agaat'' (2004), which explore themes including the ...

, novelist (born 1954) *

Lyall Watson Lyall Watson (12 April 1939 – 25 June 2008) was a South African botanist, zoologist, biologist, anthropologist, ethologist, and author of many books, among the most popular of which is the best seller ''Supernature''. Lyall Watson tried to mak ...

, writer (1939–2008) *

David Yudelman David Yudelman is a South African author and financial writer who resides in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A theory for the emergence of modern South Africa His major work, ''The Emergence of Modern South Africa: State, Capital, and the Incorporation o ...

, writer * Rachel Zadok, London-based South African writer (born 1972)

Editors

* Kojo Baffoe, magazine editor (born 1972) *

Khanyi Dhlomo Khanyi Dhlomo (born 17 December 1972) is a South African journalist and magazine editor. Early life Dhlomo was born in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, the daughter of Oscar Dhlomo She went to school at Durban Girls' College, in Durban, while there she ...

, magazine editor (born 1975) *

Laurence Gandar Laurence Owen Vine Gandar (28 January 1915 – 15 November 1998) was a South African journalist and newspaper editor. He is best known as an editor of South African newspaper ''The Rand Daily Mail''. Early life Laurence Gandar was born on 28 ...

, Rand Daily Mail editor (1915–1998) * Niel Hammann, editor of magazines (born 1937) *

John Tengo Jabavu John Tengo Jabavu (11 January 1859 – 10 September 1921) was a political activist and the editor of South Africa's first newspaper to be written in Xhosa. Early life John Tengo Jabavu was born on 11 January 1859 near Healdtown in the easter ...

, political activist and newspaper editor (1859–1921) * Aggrey Klaaste, journalist and editor (1940–2004) *

Max du Preez Max du Preez (born 10 March 1951) is a South African author, columnist and documentary filmmaker and was the founding editor of '' Vrye Weekblad''. Vrye Weekblad Online or Vrye Weekblad II was launched on 5 April 2019 again with Max du Preez as ...

, newspaper editor (born 1951)

Poets

Journalists

Jani Allan Jani Allan (born 11 September 1952) is a South African journalist, columnist, writer and broadcaster. She became one of the country's first media celebrities in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1980, Allan became a columnist for the centrist newspaper, ...

, journalist and radio personality (born 1953) *

George Claassen George Claassen is a South African journalist who was the head of department of journalism at Pretoria Technikon and Stellenbosch University. Claassen was the first academic in the field of journalism to develop a course in science and technol ...

, journalist (born 1949) * Robyn Curnow,

CNN CNN (Cable News Network) is a multinational cable news channel headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. Founded in 1980 by American media proprietor Ted Turner and Reese Schonfeld as a 24-hour cable news channel, and presently owned by ...

television reporter and anchor *

John Charles Daly John Charles Patrick Croghan Daly (February 20, 1914 – February 24, 1991) was an American journalist, host, radio and television personality, ABC News executive, TV anchor, and game show host, best known for his work on the CBS panel game show ...

, television journalist, executive and game show host (1914–1991) *

Arnold S de Beer Arnoldus Stephanus de Beer (10 June 1942 – 20 October 2021) was a South African journalist who was a Professor Extraordinary in the Department of Journalism, Stellenbosch University, South Africa. His research topics included the role of media ...

, journalist and academic (1942–2021) *

Frene Ginwala Frene Noshir Ginwala (25 April 1932 – 12 January 2023) was a South African journalist and politician who was the first Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa from 1994 to 2004.

, journalist and politician (born 1932) * Arthur Goldstuck, journalist (born 1959) * Niel Hammann, journalist (born 1937) *

Archibald Campbell Jordan Archibald Campbell Mzolisa "A.C." Jordan (30 October 1906 – 20 October 1968) was a novelist, literary historian and intellectual pioneer of African studies in South Africa. Early life He was born at the Mbokothwane Mission in the Tsolo distric ...

(1906–1968) *

Lara Logan Lara Logan (born 29 March 1971) is a South African television and radio journalist and war correspondent. Logan's career began in South Africa with various news organizations in the 1990s. Her profile rose due to reporting around the American ...

CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS, the abbreviation of its former legal name Columbia Broadcasting System, is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainm ...

television reporter/correspondent (born 1971) *

Peter Magubane Peter Magubane (born 18 January 1932) is a South African photographer. Early life Peter Sexford Magubane was born in Vrededorp, now Pageview, a suburb of Johannesburg, and grew up in Sophiatown. He began taking photographs using a Kodak Browni ...

, South African photographer (born 1932) *

John Matisonn John Matisonn is a South African political journalist and author. He was one of the founding councillors of South Africa's Independent Broadcasting Authority and from 1986 to 1991 was the South Africa correspondent for National Public Radio in t ...

, print and radio journalist for both South African and United States broadcasters (born 1949) *

Zakes Mda Zakes Mda ( ), legally Zanemvula Kizito Gatyeni Mda (born 1948) is a South African novelist, poet and playwright and he is the son of politician A. P. Mda. He has won major South African and British literary awards for his novels and plays. He ...

, journalist (born 1948) * Nathaniel Ndazana Nakasa, South African journalist and short story writer (1937–1965) *

Sam Nzima Sam Nzima (8 August 1934 in Lillydale, Bushbuckridge Local Municipality – 12 May 2018 in Nelspruit) was an South African photographer who took what became the widely-circulated and influential image of Hector Pieterson for the Soweto upri ...

, South African photographer, who took image of

Hector Pieterson Zolile Hector Pieterson (19 August 1964 – 16 June 1976) was a South African schoolboy who was shot and killed at the age of twelve during the Soweto uprising, when the police opened fire on black students protesting the enforcement of teach ...

for the Soweto uprising (1934–2018) *

Henry Nxumalo Henry Nxumalo (1917 – 31 December 1957), also known as Henry "Mr Drum" Nxumalo, was a pioneering South African investigative journalist under apartheid. Early life He was born in 1917 in Margate, Natal, South Africa, and attended the Fasca ...

, investigative journalist under apartheid (1917–1957) *

Sol Plaatje Solomon Tshekisho Plaatje (9 October 1876 – 19 June 1932) was a South African intellectual, journalist, linguist, politician, translator and writer. Plaatje was a founding member and first General Secretary of the South African Native Nation ...

, journalist and political activist (1877–1932) *

Percy Qoboza Percy Peter Tshidiso Qoboza was an influential black South African journalist, author, and outspoken critic of the apartheid government in South Africa during the early periods of world recognition of the problems evident in the racially divided ...

, journalist, editorial writer, and political activist (1938–1988) *

Barry Streek Barry Streek (30 August 1948 – 21 July 2006) was a South African political journalist and anti-apartheid activist. Early life and education Barry Streek was educated at Michaelhouse in Kwazulu-Natal after which he completed his national serv ...

, journalist, political activist, author, parliamentary media manager (1948–2006) *

Redi Tlhabi Redi Tlhabi (; born 1978) is a South African journalist, producer, author and a former radio presenter. She presented ''The Redi Tlhabi Show'' on Radio 702 for over a decade. Her broadcasting career spans years spent at Kaya FM, being a newscast ...

, journalist and broadcaster (born 1978) *

Eric Lloyd Williams Eric Lloyd Williams (1915–1988) was a South African-born journalist and war correspondent who covered World War II for the South African Press Association and Reuters. Lloyd Williams reported on the North African campaign of the British Eighth ...

, journalist and war correspondent (1915–1988) *

Donald Woods Donald James Woods (15 December 1933 – 19 August 2001) was a South African journalist and anti-apartheid activist. As editor of the ''Daily Dispatch'', he was known for befriending fellow activist Steve Biko, who was killed by police after ...

, journalist and anti-apartheid activist (1933–2001)

Artist

Performing artists

Actors / Actresses

* Anel Alexander, actress, producer (born 1979) * Lesley – Ann Brandt, South African born actress, notable for her role as Mazikeen in the show ''

Lucifer Lucifer is one of various figures in folklore associated with the planet Venus. The entity's name was subsequently absorbed into Christianity as a name for the devil. Modern scholarship generally translates the term in the relevant Bible passa ...

'' (born 1981) *

Ayanda Borotho Ayanda Borotho (née Ngubane) born 13 January 1981) is a South African actress and former model best known for playing the title role in the SABC 1 sitcom Nomzamo, from 2007-2010, of which she replaced Zinzile Zungu as well as Phumelele Zungu ...

, actress (born 1981) * Ivan Botha, actor (born 1984) *

Kai Luke Brümmer Kai Luke Brümmer (also stylised as Brummer; born 17 February 1993) is a South African actor. He is known for his role as Nicholas van der Swart in the film '' Moffie'' (2019). ''The Guardian'' named him one of the best new-and-up-comers at the ...

, actor (born 1993) *

Presley Chweneyagae Presley Chweneyagae (born October 19, 1984 in the North West Province Mafikeng, South Africa) is a South African actor of Tswana origin. He starred in the film ''Tsotsi'', which won the Academy Award for Foreign Language Film at the 78th Academ ...

, actor (born 1984) * Peter Cartwright, actor (1935–2013) * Baby Cele, actress (born 1972) *

Sharlto Copley Sharlto Copley (born 27 November 1973) is a South African actor. His acting credits include roles in the Academy Award-nominated science fiction film ''District 9'', the 2010 adaptation of ''The A-Team'', the science fiction film ''Elysium'', t ...

, actor, (''

District 9 ''District 9'' is a 2009 science fiction mockumentary film directed by Neill Blomkamp in his feature film debut, written by Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell, and produced by Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham. It is a co-production of New Zea ...

'') (born 1973) * Katlego Danke, actress (born 1978) * Embeth Davidtz, actress (born 1965) * Gopala Davies, actor and director (born 1988) *

Ryan de Villiers Ryan de Villiers (born 30 November 1992) is a South African actor. He is known for his role as Dylan Stassen in the film '' Moffie'' (2019). He began his career on stage, earning Naledi and Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards. Early life De Villiers ...

, actor (born 1992) *

Sindi Dlathu Sindiswa Dlathu (born January 4, 1974) is a South African people, South African actress and musician. She is well known for portraying Thandaza Mokoena on ''Muvhango'', a role she played from the show's inception in 1997 until her departure in 2 ...

, actress (born 1974) * Pallance Dladla, actor (born 1992) * Lillian Dube, South African actress (born 1945) *

Vinette Ebrahim Vinette Ebrahim (born 21 February 1957) is a South African actress and playwright known for her role as Charmaine Meintjies in the SABC 2 soap opera '' 7de Laan.'' She is the sister of actor Vincent Ebrahim. Early life Ebrahim is the sister of ...

, actress (born 1957) * Kim Engelbrecht, actress (born 1980) *

Willie Esterhuizen Willie Esterhuizen is an Afrikaans actor, writer and director. He is known for his roles in the popular TV series ''Vetkoekpaleis'' and ''Gauteng-aleng-aleng''. Esterhuizen received dance training at the University of Cape Town, after which he ...

, actor * Connie Ferguson, actress (born 1970) *

Shona Ferguson Aaron Arthur Ferguson (30 April 197430 July 2021), professionally known as Shona Ferguson, was a Motswana actor based in South Africa, executive producer and co-founder of Ferguson Films, alongside his wife, Connie Ferguson. Early career Ferg ...

, actor (1972–2021) *

Brett Goldin Brett Goldin (21 October 1977 – 16 April 2006) was a South African actor and part of the Crazy Monkey comedy troupe. Goldin was murdered in Cape Town in 2006 alongside friend Richard Bloom, a fashion designer who was a label manager for the M ...

, actor (1977–2006) * Zoe Gail, actress (1920–2020) *

Gugu Gumede Gugu Gumede is a South African actress born in the Province of Natal. She is well known for portraying the character of a prophetess, Mamlambo, in the soapie '' Uzalo''. Early life Gumede was born in the province of Natal. Her father was Sim ...

, actress (born 1991) * Roxane Hayward, actress (born 1991) * Hennie Jacobs, actor (born 1981) * David James, actor, stage, television, and film actor (born 1972) *

Sid James Sidney James (born Solomon Joel Cohen; 8 May 1913 – 26 April 1976) was a British actor and comedian whose career encompassed radio, television, stage and screen. He was best known for numerous roles in the Carry On film series. Born to a mi ...

, film & television actor (1913–1976) *

Glynis Johns Glynis Margaret Payne Johns (born 5 October 1923) is a South African-born British former actress, dancer, musician and singer. Recognised as a film and Broadway icon, Johns has a career spanning eight decades, in which she appeared in more than ...

, actress (born 1923) * Adhir Kalyan, actor (born 1983) *

Atandwa Kani Atandwa Kani (born 6 June 1984) is a South African actor. He is the son of actor John Kani. Early life Kani was born on 6 June 1984 in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. He was exposed to the entertainment industry at a young age by observing and l ...

, actor (born 1984) *

John Kani Bonisile John Kani (born 30 August 1943) is a South African actor, author, director and playwright. He is known for portraying T'Chaka in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films '' Captain America: Civil War'' (2016) and ''Black Panther'' (2018), ...

, actor, entertainer and writer (born 1943) *

Dawn Thandeka King Dawn Thandeka King (born October 1, 1977) is a multi-award winning South African actress, musician, motivational speaker & Social Media Influencer from Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal.Dawn Thandeka King is best known for her former role as "MaNgcobo" on t ...

, actress (born 1977) *

Shannon Kook Shannon Kook (born Shannon Xiao Lóng Kook-Chun; 9 February 1987) is a South African actor. He is best known for his roles in the television series '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' (2010–2011), '' Carmilla'' (2015–2016), ''Shadowhunters'' ...

(born 1987) *

Paballo Koza Paballo Koza (born 19 March 2002) is a South African actor. Koza began acting at age 5, and later received an Africa Movie Academy Award The Africa Movie Academy Awards, popularly known as AMAA and The AMA Awards, is presented annually to reco ...

, actor (born 2002) *

Alice Krige Alice Maud Krige (; born 28 June 1954) is a South African actress and producer. Her first feature film role was in '' Chariots of Fire'' (1981) as the Gilbert and Sullivan singer Sybil Gordon. She played the dual role of Eva Galli/Alma Mobley i ...

, actress (born 1954) *

Deon Lotz Deon Lotz (born 20 July 1964)"Deon Lotz"
''TVSA: The South African TV Authority.'' Retrieved 20 ...

, actor (born 1964) * Sello Maake Ka-Ncube, actor (born 1960) * Gail Mabalane, actress (born 1984) * Joe Mafela, actor, writer and singer (1942–2017) * Maps Maponyane, actor (born 1990) * Warren Masemola, actor (born 1983) *

Khanyi Mbau Khanyisile Mbau born 15 October 1985 known professionally as Khanyi Mbau, is a South African actress, musician, television presenter and socialite. Raised in Soweto, Mbau received recognition as the second Doobsie in the 1997 SABC 2 soap opera ' ...

, radio and television personality and actress notable for Happiness Is a Four-letter Word (born 1985) *

Nomzamo Mbatha Nomzamo Mbatha (born 13 July 1990), is a South African actress, television personality, businesswoman, accountant and human rights activist. Early life Nomzamo Mbatha was born on 13 July 1990 in KwaMashu Township, approximately , by road, nor ...

, actress (born 1990) *

Michelle Mosalakae Michelle Mosalakae (born 1994), is a South African actress, writer and theatre director. Early life and education Michelle Mosalakae was born in Mabopane, north of Pretoria to Tswana parents. She developed her love of acting at an early age. ...

, actress (born 1994) * Thuso Mbedu, actress (born 1991) *

Sean Michael (South African actor) Sean Cameron Michael (born 24 December 1969) is a South African actor, writer and singer. A native English speaker, he is also fluent in Afrikaans. Early life Michael was born in Cape Town, South Africa. He became interested in acting at the a ...

, (born 1969) * Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa, actress (born 1988) * Masoja Msiza, actor (born 1964) * Patrick Mynhardt, actor (1932–2007) * Themba Ndaba, actor (born 1965) *

Menzi Ngubane Menzi Ngubane (28 August 1964 – 13 March 2021) was a South African actor, best known for playing the role of Sibusiso Dlomo in the soap opera '' Generations'' from 2003 to 2014. Ngubane played numerous roles on other South African TV shows, i ...

, actor (born 1967) *

Jessica Nkosi Jessica Nkosi (born 20 January 1990) is an Award-Winning South African actress and TV presenter, best known for her leading roles in M-Net commissioned telenovelas Isibaya, Ayeye, ,The Queen, and Lavish. Early life Jessica Nkosi was born in ...

, actress (born 1990) *

Kenneth Nkosi Kenneth Nkosi (born 19 June 1973) is a South African actor and comedian. He portrayed Aap in the 2005 film ''Tsotsi'' (2005). He also appeared in the films ''White Wedding'' (2009) and '' Otelo Burning'' (2011), as well as ''Mad Buddies'' (201 ...

, actor (born 1973) * Winnie Ntshaba, actress (born 1975) *

Winston Ntshona Winston Ntshona (6 October 1941 – 2 August 2018) was a South African playwright and actor. He won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play in 1975. Biography Born in Port Elizabeth, Zola Winston Ntshona worked alongside fellow South African At ...

, actor (1941–2018) * Nandi Nyembe, South African actress (born 1950) *

Tanit Phoenix Tanit Phoenix (born 24 September 1980) is a South African fashion model, actress and makeup artist. She is known for her swimwear and lingerie photo shoots after appearing in a ''Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue'' in 2003 and in '' GQ'' magazine ...

, actress ( Death Race: Inferno,

Lord of War ''Lord of War'' is a 2005 American crime drama film written, produced, and directed by Andrew Niccol, and co-produced by and starring Nicolas Cage. The film was released in the United States on September 16, 2005, to positive reviews and grosse ...

Safe House A safe house (also spelled safehouse) is, in a generic sense, a secret place for sanctuary or suitable to hide people from the law, hostile actors or actions, or from retribution, threats or perceived danger. It may also be a metaphor. Histori ...

, Femme Fatales,

Mad Buddies ''Mad Buddies'' is a 2012 South African comedy film directed by Gray Hofmeyr, co-written by Gray Hofmeyr and Leon Schuster, and starring Leon Schuster, Kenneth Nkosi, Tanit Phoenix and Alfred Ntombela. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures acquir ...

) (born 1984) * Terry Pheto, actress (born 1981) *

Sasha Pieterse Sasha Pieterse-Sheaffer (; born February 17, 1996) is a South African-born American actress, singer and songwriter. She is known for her role as Alison DiLaurentis in the Freeform series '' Pretty Little Liars'' and its spin-off '' Pretty Litt ...

, actress (born 1996) *

Madelaine Petsch Madelaine Grobbelaar Petsch (born August 18, 1994) is an American actress and YouTuber. She is known for portraying Cheryl Blossom on The CW television series '' Riverdale'' and Marissa in ''F the Prom''. Early life Petsch was born on August 1 ...

, actress (born 1994) *

Sandra Prinsloo Sandra Prinsloo (born 15 September 1947), also known as Sandra Prinzlow, is a South African actress best known internationally for her role as Kate Thompson in the 1980 film '' The Gods Must Be Crazy''. Prinsloo has also appeared in numerous So ...

, South African actress (

The Gods Must Be Crazy ''The Gods Must Be Crazy'' is a 1980 comedy film written, produced, edited and directed by Jamie Uys. An international co-production of South Africa and Botswana, it is the first film in ''The Gods Must Be Crazy'' series. Set in Southern Africa ...

, Quest for Love) (born 1947) * Ama Qamata, actress (born 1998) * Basil Rathbone, actor (1892–1967) * Jo-anne Reyneke, actress (born 1988) * Ian Roberts, actor, playwright, singer (born 1952) *

Angelique Rockas Angelique Rockas is an actress, producer and activist. Rockas founded the theatre company Internationalist Theatre in the UK with her patron Athol Fugard. The theatre featured multi-racial casts in classical plays. Early life Rockas was born a ...

pioneer of multi-racial theatre in the UK (born 1951) * Buhle Samuels * Stelio Savante, actor (born 1970) *

Clive Scott Jigsaw was an English pop rock band best known for their 1975 hit "Sky High". The band was fronted by the singer-songwriter duo of Clive Scott and Des Dyer for most of its life. Following Scott's death in 2009, it has been the platform for Dye ...

, actor (1937–2021) *

Rapulana Seiphemo Rapulana Seiphemo (born 4 November 1967) is a South African actor and filmmaker. He is primarily known for his role as Tau Mogale in the long-running soap opera '' Generations'' and its continuation, '' Generations: The Legacy''. Early life He ...

, actor (born 1967) *

Cliff Severn Clifford Severn (September 21, 1925 – June 4, 2014) was an American cricketer and child screen actor. Clifford Severn was the son of Dr. Clifford Brill Severn (1890-1981). His parents emigrated from South Africa to Los Angeles after he was born. ...

, actor (1925–2014) *

Raymond Severn Raymond Chesterton Shaw Severn (June 19, 1930 – November 3, 1994) was an American cricketer and child screen actor. Raymond Severn was born in Johannesburg, the son of Dr. Clifford Brill Severn (1890-1981) and his South African wife Rachel (né ...

, actor (1930–1994) *

Antony Sher Sir Antony Sher (14 June 1949 – 2 December 2021) was a British actor, writer and theatre director of South African origin. A two-time Laurence Olivier Award winner and a four-time nominee, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1982 a ...

, actor, author and painter (1949–2021) * Cliff Simon, actor (1962-2021) * William Smith, TV teacher and presenter (born 1939) * Linda Sokhulu, actress (born 1976) * Shaleen Surtie-Richards, actress (1955–2021) *

Janet Suzman Dame Janet Suzman, (born 9 February 1939) is a South African-born British actress who enjoyed a successful early career in the Royal Shakespeare Company, later replaying many Shakespearean roles, among others, on TV. In her first film, ''Nichol ...

, actress (born 1939) *

Reine Swart Reine Swart (née Malan; born 17 May 1990) is a South African director, writer and actress. She starred in the Afrikaans surf film ''Die Pro'' (2015). She appeared alongside Tye Sheridan, Bel Powley and Emory Cohen in the film ''Detour'' (2016). ...

, actress, producer * Charlize Theron, actress (born 1975) *

Pearl Thusi Sithembile Xola Pearl Thusi (born 13 May 1988) is a South African actress, model, and presenter. She is known for her roles as Patricia Kopong in the BBC/ HBO comedy-drama series ''The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency'', Dayana Mampasi in the A ...

, actress, model, MC (born 1988) * Siyabonga Thwala, actor (born 1969) *

Pieter-Dirk Uys Pieter-Dirk Uys (; born 28 September 1945) is a South African performer, author, satirist, and social activist. One of his best known roles is as Evita Bezuidenhout, an Afrikaner socialite. Background and early life Uys was born in Cape Town o ...

, political satirist and entertainer (born 1945) * Brümilda van Rensburg, actress (born 1956) *

Musetta Vander Musetta Vander (born Musetta van der Merwe; 26 May 1963) is a South African actress, model and dancer. Biography In 1991, Vander landed her first notable role, portraying Zander Tyler in seven episodes of the action-adventure TV series ''Super ...

, actress (born 1969) *

Arnold Vosloo Arnold Vosloo (born 16 June 1962) is a South African-American actor. He is famous for roles such as Imhotep in '' The Mummy'' and ''The Mummy Returns'', Colonel Coetzee in ''Blood Diamond'', Pik van Cleef in ''Hard Target'', Dr. Peyton Westlak ...

, actor (The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, 24) (born 1962)

Dancers

Juliet Prowse Juliet Anne Prowse (September 25, 1936 – September 14, 1996) was a dancer and actress whose four-decade career included stage, television and film. She was raised in South Africa, where her family emigrated after World War II. Known for her ...

, dancer (1936–1996) *

Bontle Modiselle Bontle Moloi (née Modiselle) (born 7 October 1990) is a South African actress, television presenter, radio personality, dancer, choreographer, singer and model. In 2015, she starred in the dance film ''Hear Me Move'', which resulted her receiv ...

, dancer (born 1990)

Playwrights and film directors

Neill Blomkamp Neill Blomkamp (; born 17 September 1979) is a South African filmmaker. He employs a documentary-style, hand-held, cinéma vérité technique, blending naturalistic and photo-realistic computer-generated effects, and his films often deal wit ...

, director, ''

'' (born 1979) * Charles J. Fourie, playwright (born 1965) * Athol Fugard, playwright (born 1932) *

Ronald Harwood Sir Ronald Harwood ( né Horwitz; 9 November 1934 – 8 September 2020) was a South African-born British author, playwright, and screenwriter, best known for his plays for the British stage as well as the screenplays for ''The Dresser'' (for w ...

, playwright and writer (1934–2020) *

Oliver Hermanus Oliver Hermanus (born 26 May 1983) is a South African film director and writer.
"Oliver Hermanus." IMDb: The Internet Movie Dat ...

, film director and writer (born 1983) *

Gavin Hood Gavin Hood (born 12 May 1963) is a South African filmmaker, and actor, best known for writing and directing ''Tsotsi'' (2005), which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. He also directed the films '' X-Men Origins: Wolverine'', ...

, film director, wrote and directed the Academy Award-winning ''Tsotsi'' (2005) (born 1963) * Rob De Mezieres, film director and writer *

Mbongeni Ngema Mbongeni Ngema (born 1 June 1956) is a South African writer, lyricist, composer, director, choreographer and theatre producer, born in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal (near Durban). He started his career as a theatre backing guitarist. He wrote the mu ...

, playwright, actor, choreographer and director (born 1955) *

Michael Oblowitz Michael Oblowitz is a South African filmmaker. Early life and education Oblowitz was born in Cape Town where he grew up surfing in the 1970s. He is a Fine Arts and Philosophy graduate of the University of Cape Town. He received an M.F.A. in Fi ...

film director (born 1952) * Mthuli ka Shezi, playwright and political activist (1947–1972) *

Leon Schuster Leon Ernest "Schuks" Schuster (born 21 May 1951) is a South African filmmaker, comedian, actor, prankster and singer. Early life Schuster was drawn to the filmmaking process at an early age. As a child he and his brother would play practical ...

, filmmaker, comedian, actor and prankster (born 1951) *

Jamie Uys Jacobus Johannes Uys (; 30 May 1921 – 29 January 1996), better known as Jamie Uys, was a South African film director, best known for directing the 1980 comedy film '' The Gods Must Be Crazy'' and its 1989 sequel '' The Gods Must Be Crazy II'' ...

, film director (1921–1996)

Singers, musicians and composers

Zain Bhikha Zain may refer to: People *Zain (name) *Zain (gamer) Places Business and economy *Zain Group, a Gulf telecommunications company **Zain Iraq, telecommunications company in Iraq **Zain Jordan, telecommunications company in Jordan **Zain Saudi Ara ...

, world-renowned singer-songwriter of the Nasheed genre * Michael Blake, classical composer (born 1951) * Johan Botha, opera singer (1965–2016) *

Al Bowlly Albert Allick Bowlly (7 January 1898 – 17 April 1941) was a Mozambican-born South African– British vocalist and jazz guitarist, who was popular during the 1930s in Britain. He recorded more than 1,000 songs. His most popular songs includ ...

, popular singer (1898–1941) *

Don Clarke Donald Barry Clarke (10 November 1933 – 29 December 2002) was a New Zealand rugby union player who played 89 times (31 of these were test matches) as a New Zealand international from 1956 until 1964. He was best known for his phenomena ...

, Singer-songwriter (born 1955) *

Johnny Clegg Jonathan Paul Clegg, (7 June 195316 July 2019) was a South African musician, singer-songwriter, dancer, anthropologist and anti-apartheid activist, some of whose work was in musicology focused on the music of indigenous South African people ...

, musician (1953–2019) *

Mimi Coertse Mimi Coertse, DMS (born 12 June 1932) is a South African soprano. On 26 January 2020, Mimi was also inaugurated as a living legend in the South African Legends Museum. She was one of only 20 legends from whom a bust was also made. Early li ...

, opera singer (born 1932) * Fanie de Jager, operatic tenor (born 1949) *

Lucky Dube Lucky Philip Dube (pronounced ''duu-beh'';
luckydubemusic.com, Retrieved 19 October 2007 3 August 1964 – 18 October 20 ...

, reggae singer (1964–2007) *

Brenda Fassie Brenda Nokuzola Fassie (3 November 1964 – 9 May 2004) was a South African singer, songwriter, dancer and activist. Affectionately called MaBrrr by her fans, she is also known as the "Queen of African Pop", the " Madonna of The Townships" or s ...

, anti-apartheid Afropop singer, songwriter, dancer and activist (1964–2004) * Daniel Friedman ("Deep Fried Man"), musical comedian (born 1981) *

Steve Kekana Tebogo Steve Kekana (4 August 1958 – 1 July 2021) was a South African singer and songwriter. He began his musical career in the 1980s. He attended and completed his studies at UNISA. Life and career Kekana was born in Zebediela, Transvaa ...

, singer and songwriter (1958–2021) *

Jabu Khanyile Jabu Khanyile (28 February 1957 – 12 November 2006)Lusk, John (2006), ''The Independent'', 16 November 2006 was a South African musician and lead vocalist from the band Bayete. Life and career Khanyile was born in Soweto, and was forced t ...

, musician and lead vocalist (1957–2006) * Claire Johnston, singer (born 1967) * David Kramer, singer and playwright (born 1951) * Clare Loveday, classical composer (born 1967) *

Lira (singer) Lerato Moipone Molapo (born 14 March 1979), known professionally as Lira, is a South African singer. Her name translates to "love" in Sesotho and she speaks four languages. She is a multi-platinum selling and an 11-time South African Music Aw ...

, singer (born 1979) *

Sipho Mabuse Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse (born in Johannesburg, 2 November 1951) is a South African singer. Sipho grew up in Soweto. His mother was Zulu and his father was Tswana. Sipho and his band used to be managed by Solly Nkuta, After dropping out of scho ...

, singer (born 1951) * Ringo Madlingozi, South African singer, songwriter, producer, and member of parliament (born 1964) *

Arthur Mafokate Arthur Mafokate (born 10 July 1972) is a South African kwaito musician and producer. In 1994, he released his debut album titled ''Windy Windy'' with the hit track "Amagents Ayaphanda”. Life and career Early life Arthur Mafokate was born on ...

, kwaito musician and producer (born 1962) * Winston Ngozi Mankunku, tenor sax player (1943–2009) *

Mahlathini Simon "Mahlathini" Nkabinde (1937 or 1938 – 27 July 1999) was a South African ''mbaqanga'' singer. Known as the "Lion of Soweto", Nkabinde is the acknowledged exponent of the deep-voiced, basso profundo "groaning" style that came to symboliz ...

, ''

mbaqanga Mbaqanga () is a style of South African music with rural Zulu roots that continues to influence musicians worldwide today. The style originated in the early 1960s. History Historically, laws such as the Land Act of 1913 to the Group Areas Ac ...

'' singer (1938–1999) *

Miriam Makeba Zenzile Miriam Makeba (4 March 1932 – 9 November 2008), nicknamed Mama Africa, was a South African singer, songwriter, actress, and civil rights activist. Associated with musical genres including Afropop, jazz, and world music, she w ...

, singer and civil rights activist (1932–2008) *

Rebecca Malope } Batsogile Lovederia "Rebecca" Malope (born June 30, 1968) is a South African gospel singer. She is known as "The Queen of Gospel." Her music career spans more than three decades. She has sold at least 10 million albums worldwide, making her o ...

, multi-award-winning South African gospel singer (born 1968) *

Manfred Mann Manfred Mann were an English rock band, formed in London and active between 1962 and 1969. The group were named after their keyboardist Manfred Mann, who later led the successful 1970s group Manfred Mann's Earth Band. The band had two diffe ...

, musician (born 1940) *

Hugh Masekela Hugh Ramapolo Masekela (4 April 1939 – 23 January 2018) was a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, singer and composer who was described as "the father of South African jazz". Masekela was known for his jazz compositions and for ...

, jazz trumpeter and singer (1939–2018) *

Gwendolyn Masin Gwendolyn Masin (born 17 November 1977) is a Dutch and Irish violinist, author, and educator. Early life Masin was born in Amsterdam. She began to play the piano at the age of 3, and took up the violin at the age of 5. Within her initial year of ...

, violinist, author, pedagogue (born 1977) * Lebo Mathosa, popular South African kwaito singer (1977–2006) * Dave Matthews, leader of the

Dave Matthews Band Dave Matthews Band (also known by the initials DMB) is an American rock band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 1991. The band's founding members were singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer and bac ...

(born 1967) *

Shaun Morgan Shaun Morgan Welgemoed (, born 21 December 1978) is a South African musician. He is the singer, songwriter, and guitarist for the rock band Seether. Early life Morgan spent most of his early life in South Africa.Bottomley, CSeether: South Af ...

, lead singer of the award-winning band Seether (born 1978) *

Ray Phiri Raymond Chikapa Enock Phiri (23 March 1947 – 12 July 2017) was a South African jazz, fusion and mbaqanga musician born in Mpumalanga to Thabethe Phiri, a Malawian immigrant worker, and South African guitarist nicknamed "Just Now" Phiri. He wa ...

, jazz, fusion and Mbhaqanga musician (1947–2017) *

Aquiles Priester Aquiles Priester (born June 25, 1971) is a Namibian-born Brazilian drummer. He is currently the drummer of Brazilian power metal band Hangar, and progressive metal bands Midas Fate and Noturnall. As a tour drummer, Priester has played with Pa ...

, drummer (born 1971) * Rex Rabanye, jazz, fusion and soulful pop musician (1944–2010) *

Trevor Rabin Trevor Charles Rabin (; born ) is a South African rock musician and composer. Born into a musical family and raised in Johannesburg, Rabin took up the piano and guitar at an early age and became a session musician, playing and producing with a va ...

, musician, composer, former member of progressive rock band Yes (born 1954) *

Koos Ras Koos Ras (Jacobus Adriaan Gerhardus) was born on 4 August 1928, on a farm named Paardekop in Northern Natal Province in South Africa. As a young boy he often visited his father's neighbour (name unknown), who taught him how to play a " Konsertin ...

, comedian, singer, writer, composer (1928–1997) *

Charles Segal (pianist) Charles Segal (born 1929 in Joniškis, Lithuania) was a classically trained jazz and commercial pianist, and composer. When Charles was two years old, his mother, mandolinist Riva Segal, brought her two sons, Louis and Charles, to escape the H ...

, composer, arranger, Guinness World Record holder (born 1929) *

Enoch Sontonga Enoch Mankayi Sontonga ( – 18 April 1905) was a South African composer, who is best known for writing the Xhosa hymn "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" (), which, in abbreviated version, has been sung as the first half of the national anthem of South ...

, composer of national anthem (1873–1905) *

Joseph Shabalala Joseph Shabalala (28 August 1940 – 11 February 2020), was a South African singer and musician who was the founder and musical director of the choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Early life and career Shabalala was born in the town of ...

, founder and director of

Ladysmith Black Mambazo Ladysmith Black Mambazo are a South African male choral group singing in the local vocal styles of '' isicathamiya'' and '' mbube''. They became known internationally after singing with Paul Simon on his 1986 album '' Graceland'', and have won ...

(1941–2020) * ZP Theart, singer, ex Dragonforce (born 1975) *

Hilda Tloubatla Hilda Semola Tloubatla (born 1942) is a South African ''mbaqanga'' singer, and the lead singer of the acclaimed group the Mahotella Queens. Tloubatla was born in Payneville, South Africa before moving to kwaThema township in 1951 as a result of ...

, lead singer of

Mahotella Queens The Mahotella Queens is a South African female band formed in 1964 by music producer Rupert Bopape, consisting of Hilda Tloubatla, Nobesuthu Mbadu, and Amanda Nkosi. The group is noted for their distinct vocal harmony sound, guitar-led mbaqan ...

(born 1942) *

Watkin Tudor Jones Watkin Tudor Jones (born 26 September 1974), better known by his stage names Ninja and Max Normal, is a South African rapper, songwriter, record producer, performance artist, and director. Jones found international success as a member of Die An ...

, rapper, performance artist, band member of

Die Antwoord Die Antwoord (, Afrikaans for "The Answer") is a South African alternative hip hop group formed in Cape Town in 2008. The group comprises rappers Watkin Tudor "Ninja" Jones and Anri "Yolandi Visser" du Toit, a male/female duo, and producers ...

(born 1974) *

Arnold van Wyk Arnoldus Christiaan Vlok van Wyk (26 April 1916 – 27 March 1983) was a South African art music composer, one of the first notable generation of such composers along with Hubert du Plessis and Stefans Grové. Despite the strict laws impose ...

, classical composer (1916–1983) *

Yolandi Visser Anri du Toit, known professionally as Yolandi Visser (stylised as ¥o-Landi Vi$$er), is a South African rapper. She is the female vocalist in the rap-rave group Die Antwoord. Her partner in the group is Ninja, Watkin Tudor Jones. Visser appea ...

, rapper, performance artist, band member of

(born 1984) *

Amor Vittone Amor Vittone (born 16 March 1972 as Amor Ines Vittone) is a South African singer. Biography Amor Vittone was born March 16, 1972, in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa. She was head girl at her high school, where she excelled both in ...

, singer, performing artist and gold-disc recording artist (born 1972) *

Kevin Volans Kevin Volans (born 26 July 1949) is a South African born Irish composer and pianist. He studied with Karlheinz Stockhausen and Mauricio Kagel in Cologne in the 1970s and later became associated with the ''Neue Einfacheit'' (New Simplicity) mov ...

, classical composer (born 1949) Tanit Phoenix, South African supermodel and actress 07

Models, socialites and media personalities

, radio personality, journalist (born 1953) *

Gina Athans Gina Athans (born 7 June 1984) is a South African former beauty queen and model of Greek origin. Born in Johannesburg, her father is a doctor and her mother a businesswoman. She was raised on a small holding in Eikenhof, south of Johannesbur ...

, model, international socialite (born 1984) * Riaan Cruywagen, TV news reader (born 1945) * Lasizwe Dambuza, television personality (born 1998) *

Trevor Denman Trevor Denman (born 24 September 1952) is a South African American sportscaster and public-address announcer specializing in Thoroughbred horse racing. Background Denman was born in Germiston, Gauteng, South Africa. A part-time jockey and exe ...

, horse racing announcer (born 1952) * Minnie Dlamini, TV presenter, TV personality, model and actress (born 1990) * Jade Fairbrother, model, fitness bikini competitor,

Playboy Playmate A Playmate is a female model featured in the centerfold/gatefold of ''Playboy'' magazine as Playmate of the Month (PMOTM). The PMOTM's pictorial includes nude photographs and a centerfold poster, along with a pictorial biography and the "Play ...

(born 1986) *

(Ninja) singer, rapper, actor, director (born 1974) * Roxy Ingram, model (born 1982) * Alan Khan, radio and television personality (born 1971) *

Caspar Lee Caspar Richard George Lee (born 24 April 1994) is a British-South African YouTuber turned investor and serial entrepreneur. He was featured in ''Forbes'' 30 Under 30 in 2020 for his work in media and advertising. Career Lee started his YouTube ...

, YouTube personality and actor (born 1994) *Jeremy Maggs, journalist, radio host and television presenter (born 1961) *Jeremy Mansfield, radio and TV personality * Maps Maponyane, media socialite, model and actor (born 1990) *Robert Marawa, sports journalist, television and radio personality (born 1973) *Megan McKenzie, model (born 1980) *Trevor Noah, comedian, actor, radio- and television host (born 1984) *Debora Patta, broadcast journalist and television producer (born 1964) *

, ''Sports Illustrated'' model and actress (born 1984) *Lunga Shabalala, TV presenter, model and actor (born 1989) *Linda Sibiya, radio personality, radio producer, television host, television producer and broadcaster. *Troye Sivan, YouTube personality, actor and singer (born 1995) *Reeva Steenkamp, model (1983–2013) *Candice Swanepoel, Victoria's Secret model (born 1988) * Charlize Theron, actress, film producer (born 1975) *Lesego Tlhabi, comedian and satirist (as Coconut Kelz) (born 1988) *

singer, rapper, actor (born 1984) *Minki van der Westhuizen, model and TV presenter (born 1984) *Eddie Zondi, radio personality and music composer (1967–2014)

Visual Artists

Cartoonists

*T.O. Honiball, cartoonist (1905–1990) *Jeremy Nell, cartoonist (born 1979) *Zapiro, cartoonist (born 1958)

Painters

*Thomas Baines, colonial painter and explorer (1820–1875) *Leon Botha, painter and disc jockey (1985–2011) *Garth Erasmus, visual artist (born 1956) *Clinton Fein, artist, activist, photographer (born 1964) *C. G. Finch-Davies, painter and ornithologist (1875–1920) *Ronald Harrison, painter (1940–2011) *William Kentridge, painter (born 1955) *Maggie Laubser, painter (1886–1973) *Neville Lewis, artist (1895–1972) *Esther Mahlangu, painter (born 1935) *Conor Mccreedy, artist (born 1987) *Brett Murray, artist (born 1961) *Charles Ernest Peers, painter (born 1875) *George Pemba, visual artist (1912–2001) *Jacobus Hendrik Pierneef, artist (1886–1957) *Gerard Sekoto, artist and musician (1913–1993) *Cecil Skotnes, painter (1926–2009) *Irma Stern, painter (1894–1966) *Vladimir Tretchikoff, painter (1913–2006)

Photographers

*Kevin Carter (1961–1994) *Ernest Cole (photographer), Ernest Cole (1940–1990) *Caroline Gibello (born 1974) *David Goldblatt, photographer (1930–2018) *Bob Gosani (1934–1972) *Alf Kumalo (1930–2012) *

(born 1932) *Jürgen Schadeberg (1931–2020) *Austin Stevens (born 1951)

Sculptors

*Anton van Wouw (1862–1945)

Performance Artists

*Steve Cohen (wrestler), Steven Cohen (born 1962) *Tracey Rose (born 1974)

Architects

* Herbert Baker (1862–1946) * Gerard Moerdijk (1890–1958)

Business

*Raymond Ackerman (businessman), Raymond Ackerman, businessman (born 1931) *Barney Barnato, mining magnate (1852–1897) *Roelof Botha, venture capitalist and company director (born 1973) *David Brink (businessman), David Brink, businessman (born 1939) *John Fairbairn (educator), John Fairbairn, founder of Mutual Life (1794–1864) *Vanessa Gounden, South Africa's richest businesswoman (born 1961) *Morris Kahn, Israeli billionaire, founder and chairman of Aurec Group (born 1930) *Sol Kerzner, hotel magnate (1935–2020) *Basetsana Kumalo, former Miss South Africa, presenter and businesswoman (born 1974) *Richard Maponya, richest business man, former owner of Maponya Mall; founder and first president of the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC) (1920–2020) *Sammy Marks, businessman (1844–1920) *Nthato Motlana, prominent South African businessman, physician and anti-apartheid activist (1925–2008) *Bridgette Motsepe, businesswoman (born 1960) *Patrice Motsepe, businessman (born 1962) *Elon Musk, Internet and space launch entrepreneur (born 1971) *Phiwa Nkambule, Co-founder and CEO of Riovic, founder of Cybatar (born 1992) *Harry Oppenheimer, businessman (1908–2000) *William G. Pietersen, international businessman, CEO, author, professor (born 1937) *Charles Purdon, agricultural pioneer (1838–1926) *Mamphela Ramphele, political activist, academic, businesswoman and mother to the son of Steve Biko (born 1947) *Cyril Ramaphosa, politician and businessman (born 1952) *George Rex, pioneer entrepreneur of the Southern Cape (1765–1839) *Cecil Rhodes, businessman (1853–1902) *Anton Rupert, businessman and conservationist (1916–2006) *Johann Rupert, businessman, son of Anton Rupert (born 1950) *Tokyo Sexwale, politician and businessman (born 1953) *Mark Shuttleworth, web entrepreneur, founder of Thawte and Ubuntu Linux, space tourist (born 1973) *Nicky Newton-King, first female CEO of JSE from 2012 to 2019 (born 1966)

Legal, police and military

*Lourens Ackermann, constitutional court judge (born 1934) *Ismail Ayob, lawyer (born 1942) *Vernon Berrangé, human rights advocate (1900–1983) *George Bizos, lawyer (1927–2020) *Louis Botha, Boer War General, captured Winston Churchill during the Second Boer War, also one of the signatories of the Treaty of Vereeniging (1862–1919) *Annie Botha, philanthropist and civic leader, wife of Louis Botha *Arthur Chaskalson, judge (1931–2012) *Piet Cronjé, Boer general and commander-in-chief of ZAR's military forces (1840–1911) *Beric John Croome, chartered accountant (South Africa), Advocate of the High Court of South Africa, PhD, tax law author and pioneer in taxpayers' rights in South Africa (1960–2019) *Garnet de la Hunt, the Chief Scout of the Boy Scouts of South Africa, Vice-Chairman of the Africa Scout Committee, and South African World Scout Committee (1933–2014) *Koos de la Rey, Boer general (1847–1914) *Pierre de Vos, constitutional law scholar (born 1963) *Christiaan De Wet, Christiaan Rudolph de Wet, Boer general and acting President of the Orange Free State (1854–1922) *Johannes Christiaan de Wet, legal academic (1912–1990) *Bram Fischer, advocate QC and political activist (1908–1975) *Richard Goldstone, ex-constitutional court judge (born 1938) *Harold Hanson (lawyer), Harold Hanson, advocate QC (1904–1973) *Sydney Kentridge, former advocate of the Supreme Court and Acting Justice of the Constitutional Court (born 1922) *Mervyn King (judge), Mervyn E. King, former judge of the Supreme Court of South Africa and chairman of the King Committee on Corporate Governance (born 1937) *Joel Joffe, Baron Joffe, CBE lawyer and Labour Party (UK), Labour Peerages in the United Kingdom, peer in the House of Lords (1932–2017) *Pius Langa, former chief justice of constitutional court (1939–2013) *Magnus Malan, minister of defence and chief of the South African Defence Force (1930–2011) *Cecil Margo, judge (1915–2000) *Richard Mdluli, head of Police Crime Intelligence (born 1958) *Dunstan Mlambo, Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court of South Africa (born 1960) *Mogoeng Mogoeng, Chief Justice of South Africa (born 1961) *Yvonne Mokgoro, former justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, Constitutional Court of South Africa (born 1950) *Phetogo Molawa, first black female helicopter pilot in the South African Air Force and the South African National Defence Force *Sandile Ngcobo, former Chief Justice of South Africa (born 1953) *Bulelani Ngcuka, director of public prosecutions (born 1954) *Marmaduke Pattle, highest scoring Allied Air Ace of World War Two (1914–1941) *Riah Phiyega, national police commissioner *Vejaynand Ramlakan, South African military commander (1957–2020) *Barry Roux, defence advocate who has represented Oscar Pistorius, Dave King (businessman), Dave King and Lothar Neethling (born 1955) *Albie Sachs, justice in constitutional court (born 1935) *Harry Heinz Schwarz, lawyer (1924–2010) *Jackie Selebi, national commissioner of police (1950–2015) *Thembile Skweyiya, South African Constitutional Court judge (1939–2015) *Percy Sonn, former head of the Directorate of Special Operations (1947–2007) *Robert Clarkson Tredgold, Sir Robert Clarkson Tredgold, Chief Justice of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1899–1977) *Percy Yutar, South Africa's first Jewish attorney-general and prosecutor of Nelson Mandela in the 1963 Rivonia Treason Trial (1911–2002)

Political

Activists and trade unionists

*Elizabeth 'Nanna' Abrahams, political activist and trade unionist (1925–2008) *Zackie Achmat, AIDS activist (born 1962) *Neil Aggett, political activist and trade unionist (1953–1982) *Neville Alexander, revolutionary and proponent of a multilingual South Africa (1936–2012) *Abdul Kader Asmal, South African politician (1934–2011) *Abu Baker Asvat, founding member of Azapo (1943–1989) *Zainab Asvat, South African anti-apartheid activist (1920–2013) *Frances Baard, trade unionist, organiser for the African National Congress Women's League and a Patron of the United Democratic Front (1909–1997) *Esther Barsel, South African political activist, long-standing member of the South African Communist Party and wife to Hymie Barsel (1924–2008) *Hymie Barsel, South African activist (1920–1987) *Jeremy Baskin, trade unionist (born 1956) *Jean Bernadt, anti-apartheid activist (1914–2011) *Lionel Bernstein, anti-apartheid activist and political prisoner (1920–2002) *Edward Bhengu, founder member of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, PAC (1934–2010) *Sibusiso Bengu, politician (born 1934) *Steve Biko, nonviolence, nonviolent political activist (1946–1977) *Sonia Bunting, journalist, political and anti-apartheid activist (1922–2001) *Amina Cachalia, South African anti-Apartheid activist, women's rights activist, and politician (1930–2013) *Ismail Ahmed Cachalia, South African political activist and a leader of Transvaal Indian Congress and the African National Congress (1908–2003) *Fort Calata, political activist and one of The Cradock Four (1956–1985) *James Calata, political activist and ANC secretary (1895–1983) *Collins Chabane, South African Minister of Public Service and Administration (South Africa), Minister of Public Service and Administration (1960–2015) *Laloo Chiba, South African politician and revolutionary (1930–2017) *Yusuf Mohamed Dadoo, South African Communist and an anti-apartheid activist (1909–1983) *Eddie Daniels (political activist), Eddie Daniels, anti-apartheid activist (1928–2017) *Nosipho Dastile, community and anti-Apartheid activist (1938–2009) *Sophia De Bruyn, political activist (born 1938) *Amina Desai, political prisoner (1920–2009) *Lilian Diedericks, South African activist (1925–2021) *Bettie du Toit, trade unionist and anti-apartheid activist (1910–2002) *Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim, South African anti-apartheid activist (1937–2021) *Colin Eglin, South African politician (1925–2013) *Farid Esack, political activist and opposition to apartheid (born 1959) *Lucinda Evans, women's right activist (born 1972) *Ruth First, South African anti-apartheid activist, scholar and wife to Joe Slovo (1925–1982) *Pregs Govender, human rights activist, former ANC MP, anti-apartheid campaigner (born 1960) *Irene Grootboom, housing rights activist (c. 1969–2008) *Denis Goldberg, political activist (1933–2020) *Arthur Goldreich, abstract painter and anti-apartheid (1929–2011) *John Gomomo, South African Unionist and activist (1945–2008) *Matthew Goniwe, political activist and one of the Cradock four (1946–1985) *Joe Nzingo Gqabi, political activist (1929–1981) *Josiah Tshangana Gumede, political activist (1867–1946) *Harry Gwala, revolutionary leader in the African National Congress and South African Communist Party (1920–1995) *Nkululeko Gwala, prominent member of the shackdwellers' social movement Abahlali baseMjondolo (died 2013) *Alcott Skei Gwentshe, shopkeeper and political activist (died 1966) *Bertha Gxowa, anti-apartheid, women's rights activist and trade unionist (1934–2010) *Chris Hani, political activist (1942–1993) *Harold Hanson (lawyer), Harold Hanson, politician and advocate (1904–1973) *Frederick John Harris, South African schoolteacher and Internal resistance to apartheid, anti-apartheid (1937–1965) *Abdullah Haron, South African Muslim cleric and anti-apartheid activist (1924–1969) *Ruth Hayman, anti-apartheid campaigner (1913–1981) *Alexander Hepple, trade unionist, politician, anti-apartheid activist and author and the last leader of the original South African Labour Party (1904–1983) *Bob Hepple, political activist, leader in the fields of labour law, equality and human rights (1934–2015) *Bavelile Gloria Hlongwa, South African chemical engineer and politician (1981–2019) *Bantu Holomisa, political activist (born 1955) *Timothy Peter Jenkin, anti-apartheid activist, political prisoner and writer (born 1948) *Helen Joseph, anti-apartheid activist (1905–1992) * Mthuli ka Shezi, South African playwright, political activist (1947–1972) *James Kantor, politician, lawyer and writer (1927–1974) *Ahmed Kathrada, political activist (1929–2017) *Philip Kgosana, political activist (1936–2017) *Winnie Kgware, anti-Apartheid activist (1917–1998) *Alice Kinloch (born 1863), human rights activist and writer *Wolfie Kodesh, South African Communist party activist (1918–2002) *Moses Kotane, anti-apartheid activist (1907–1978) *Ashley Kriel, South African activist (1966–1987) * Duma Kumalo, South African human rights activist and one of the Sharpeville Six (died 2006) * Dumisani Kumalo, South African politician (1947–2019) *Ellen Kuzwayo, political activist (1914–2006) *Lennox Lagu, political activist (1938—2011) *Stephen Lee (South African activist), Stephen Bernard Lee, anti-apartheid and political prisoner (born 1951) *Anton Lembede, political activist (1914–1947) *Moses Mabhida, anti-apartheid activist (1923–1986) *Phakamile Mabija, anti-apartheid activist (died 1977) *Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, political activist and former 2nd wife to Nelson Mandela (1936–2018) *Zacharias Richard Mahabane, political activist (1881–1971) *Mac Maharaj, political activist (born 1935) *Solomon Mahlangu, Umkhonto we Sizwe operative (1956–1979) *Vusumzi Make, political activist (1931–2006) *Sefako Makgatho, political activist (1861–1951) *Mbuyisa Makhubo, anti-Apartheid activist (born 1957/1958) *Clarence Makwetu, political activist (1928–2016) *Adolph Malan, fighter pilot and civil rights activist (1910–1963) *Zollie Malindi, political activist (1924–2008) *Nelson Mandela, political activist and first President of South Africa (1918–2013) *Mosibudi Mangena, South Africa politician (born 1947) *Isaac Lesiba Maphotho, political activist (1931–2019) *J. B. Marks, politician activist (1903–1972) *Jafta Masemola, Jafta Jeff Masemola, political activist (1929–1990) *Emma Mashinini, trade unionist and political leader (1929–2017) *Tsietsi Mashinini, South African anti-Apartheid activist and student leader of the Soweto uprising on 16 June 1976 (1957–1990) *Joseph Mathunjwa, Trade union leader and the head of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) (born 1965) *Florence Matomela, South African anti-pass laws, pass law activist (1910–1969) *Joe Matthews (politician), Joe Matthews, political activist and son of ZK Matthews (1929–2010) *Z. K. Matthews, political activist (1901–1968) *Seth Mazibuko, youngest member of the South African Students' Organisation that planned and led the Soweto uprising *Epainette Mbeki, political activist, mother of Thabo Mbeki and wife to Govan Mbeki (1916–2014) *Govan Mbeki, political activist and father of Thabo Mbeki (1910–2001) *Robert McBride (police officer), Robert McBride, anti-apartheid assassin and later police chief (born 1963) *A. P. Mda, co-founder of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) and Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (1916–1993) *Fatima Meer, scientist and political activist (1928–2010) *Raymond Mhlaba, political activist and the former Premier of the Eastern Cape (1920–2005) *Sicelo Mhlauli, political activist and one of the Cradock four (1952–1985) *Jean Middleton, anti-apartheid activist and wife to Harold Strachan (1928–2010) *Clarence Mini, anti-apartheid activist (1951–2020) *Vuyisile Mini, unionist and Umkhonto we Sizwe activist (1920–1964) *Nomhlangano Beauty Mkhize, political activist, shop steward and wife to Saul Mkhize (1946–1977) *Sparrow Mkhonto, political activist and one of the Cradock four (1951–1985) *Wilton Mkwayi, political activist (1923–2004) *Johnson Mlambo, political activist (1940–2021) *Andrew Mlangeni, political activist (1925–2020) *Thamsanga Mnyele, anti-apartheid (1948–1985) *Billy Modise, political activist (1930–2018) *Joe Modise, political activist (1929–2001) *Thabo Edwin Mofutsanyana, political activist (1899–1995) *Mapetla Mohapi, political activist (1947–1976) *Yunus Mohamed, (sometimes Mahomed) South African lawyer and activist (1950–2008) *Peter Mokaba, political activist (1959–2002) *Priscilla Mokaba, political activist and mother of Peter Mokaba (died 2013) *Ruth Mompati, political activist (1925–2015) *Moosa Moolla, political activist (born 1934) *Rahima Moosa, anti-apartheid activist (1922–1993) *James Moroka, political activist (1891–1985) *Zephania Mothopeng, political activist (1913–1990) *Nthato Motlana, physician and anti-apartheid activist (1925–2008) *Caroline Motsoaledi, political activist and wife to Elias Motsoaledi (died c.2015) *Elias Motsoaledi, political activist (1924–1994) *James Mpanza, political activist (1889–1970) *Oscar Mpetha, political activist and unionist (1909–1994) *Griffiths Mxenge, anti-apartheid activist (1935–1981) *Victoria Mxenge, anti-apartheid activist (1942–1985) *Monty Naicker, South African anti-apartheid activist and medical doctor (1910–1978) *Ama Naidoo, anti-apartheid activist (1908–1993) *Billy Nair, political activist (1929–2008) *Rita Ndzanga, anti-apartheid activist and trade unionist (1933–2022) *Mary Ngalo, South African anti-apartheid activist and was also active in fighting for women's rights (died 1973) *Lilian Ngoyi, anti-apartheid activist (1911–1980) *Looksmart Ngudle, political activist (1922–1963) *Joe Nhlanhla, African National Congress national executive and the former South African Minister of State Security (South Africa), Minister of Justice (Intelligence Affairs) (1936–2008) *John Nkadimeng, politician and anti-apartheid activist (1927–2020) *Vernon Nkadimeng, political activist (1958–1985) *Nkwenkwe Nkomo, South African Students' Organisation, SASO nine member *William Frederick Nkomo, medical doctor, community leader, political activist and teacher (1915–1972) *Duma Nokwe, political activist (1927–1978) *Jabulile Nyawose, trade unionist and anti-apartheid activist (died 1982) *Alfred Nzo, political activist (1925–2000) *Albert Nzula, political activist (1905–1934) *Abdullah Mohamed Omar, anti-Apartheid activist and lawyer (1934–2004) *Roy Padayachie, politician and Minister of Public Service and Administration (South Africa), Minister of Public Service and Administration of the Republic of South Africa (1950–2012) *Aziz Pahad, political activist (born 1940) *Essop Pahad, political activist (born 1939) *Sabelo Phama, revolutionary (1949–1994) *Motsoko Pheko, politician, lawyer, author, historian, theologian and academic (born 1933) *Joyce Piliso-Seroke, South-African educator, activist, feminist and community organizer (born 1933) *

, political activist (1876–1932) *John Nyathi Pokela, political activist (1922/1923–1985) *Maggie Resha, political activist and wife of Robert Resha (1923–2003) *Robert Resha, political activist (1920–1978) *Walter Rubusana, first deputy president of the ANC (1856–1936) *Albie Sachs, political activist (born 1935) *Harry Schwarz, South African lawyer, statesman and long-time political opposition leader against apartheid in South Africa (1924–2010) *Jackie Sedibe, South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Major General and politician activist and wife to Joe Modise (born 1945) *Molefi Sefularo, Deputy Minister of Health (1957–2010) *James Seipei, teenage United Democratic Front (South Africa), United Democratic Front (UDF) activist (1974–1989) *Nimrod Sejake, labour leader in South Africa, leading member of the Congress of South African Trade Unions and secretary of the Iron Steel Workers (1920–2004) *Reggie September, activist (1923–2013) *Gertrude Shope, South African trade unionist and politician (born 1925) *Gert Sibande, political activist (1907–1987) *Archie Sibeko, political activist and trade unionist (1928–2018) *David Sibeko, South Africa politician and journalist (1938–1979) *Letitia Sibeko, political activist and wife to Archie Sibeko (1930–??) *Joyce Nomafa Sikakane, South African journalist and activist (born 1943) *Annie Silinga, South African anti-pass laws and anti-apartheid political activist (1910–1984) *Jack Simons (academic), Jack Simons, political activist (1907–1995) *Rachel Simons, communist and trade unionist and wife to Jack Simons (1914–2004) *Albertina Sisulu, political activist and wife of Walter Sisulu (1918–2011) *Walter Sisulu, political activist (1912–2003) *Zola Skweyiya, political activist (1942–2018) *Joe Slovo, South African politician, and an opponent of the apartheid system (1926–1995) *Robert Sobukwe, political activist and founder of Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, PAC (1924–1978) *Veronica Sobukwe, political activist and wife to Robert Sobukwe (1927–2018) *Makhenkesi Stofile, political activist (1944–2016) *Harold Strachan, anti-apartheid activist (1925–2020) *Helen Suzman, South African anti-apartheid activist and politician (1917–2009) *Isaac Bangani Tabata, political activist (1909–1990) *Dora Tamana, South African anti-apartheid activist (1901–1983) *Adelaide Tambo political activist and wife to Oliver Tambo (1929–2007) *Oliver Tambo, political activist (1917–1993) *Mary Thipe, anti-apartheid and human rights activist (1917–2002) *Mohammed Tikly, South African educator and struggle veteran (1939–2020) *Ahmed Timol, anti-apartheid activist, political leader and activist in the underground South African Communist Party (SACP) (1941–1971) *Abram Onkgopotse Tiro, South African student political activist (1945–1974) *Steve Tshwete, political activist (1938–2002) *Ben Turok, anti-apartheid activist and Economics Professor (1927–2019) *Moses Twebe, South African politician (1916–2013) *Zwelinzima Vavi, former general secretary of COSATU, and Trade union leader SAFTU (born 1962) *Randolph Vigne, anti-apartheid activist (1928–2016) *Sheila Weinberg, anti-apartheid activist (1945–2004) *AnnMarie Wolpe, sociologist, feminist, anti-apartheid activist and wife to Harold Wolpe (1930–2018) *Harold Wolpe, lawyer, sociologist, political economist and anti-apartheid activist (1926–1996) *Khoisan X, political activist (1955–2010) *Alfred Xuma, political activist and ANC president (1893–1962) *Tony Yengeni, anti-Apartheid activist (born 1954)

Apartheid operatives

, apartheid scientist (born 1950) *Dirk Coetzee, apartheid covert operative (1945–2013) *Eugene de Kock, apartheid assassin (born 1949) *Clive Derby-Lewis, assassin and former parliamentarian (1936–2016) *Jimmy Kruger, apartheid Minister of Justice and the Police (1917–1987) *Lothar Neethling, apartheid forensic scientist (1935–2005) *Barend Strydom, convicted murderer and white supremacist activist (born 1965) *Eugène Terre'Blanche, white supremacist activist (1941–2010) *Adriaan Vlok, apartheid Minister of Law and Order (born 1937) *Craig Williamson, apartheid spy (born 1949)

Colonial and Union Governors

*George Grey, Cape governor (1812–1898) *Jan Willem Janssens, Cape Governor (1762–1838) * Benjamin d'Urban, Cape Governor (1834–1837) *Benjamin Pine, Natal governor (1809–1891) *Sir Harry Smith, 1st Baronet, Harry Smith, Cape governor 1847–52 (1787–1860) *Andries Stockenström, governor of British Kaffraria (1792–1864) *Simon van der Stel, first Cape governor (1639–1712) *Willem Adriaan van der Stel, second Cape governor (1664–1723) *Jan van Riebeeck, founder of Cape settlement (1619–1677) *Nicolaas Jacobus de Wet, Chief Justice of South Africa and acting Governor-General (1873–1960)

Leaders and politicians

*Ken Andrew, politician (born 1943) *Kader Asmal, an activist, politician and professor of human rights (1934–2011) *Sibusiso Bengu, politician (born 1934) *Steve Biko, nonviolent political activist (1946–1977) *Thozamile Botha, politician (born 1948) *Cheryl Carolus, politician (born 1958) *Yusuf Dadoo, doctor and politician (1909–1983) *Patricia de Lille, politician (born 1951) *Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, politician (born 1949) *John Langalibalele Dube, founder and first president of ANC (1871–1946) *Abba Eban, Israeli diplomat and politician, and President of the Weizmann Institute of Science (1915–2002) *De Villiers Graaff, United Party opposition leader (1913–1999) *Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr (Onze Jan), Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, journalist and politician (1845–1909) * Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, academic and politician (1894–1948) *Danny Jordaan, politician and soccer administrator (born 1951) *Tony Leon, DA opposition leader (born 1956) *Albert Luthuli, President of the African National Congress, 1952–67 (1898–1967) *Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, politician and second wife of Nelson Mandela (1936–2018) *Trevor Manuel, minister of finance (born 1956) *Lindiwe Mazibuko, former Parliamentary Leader for the opposition Democratic Alliance (South Africa), Democratic Alliance (born 1980) *Govan Mbeki, political activist and father of Thabo Mbeki (1910–2001) *Roelf Meyer, politician and businessman (born 1947) *Raymond Mhlaba, political activist and the former Premier of the Eastern Cape (1920–2005) *Vuyisile Mini, unionist and Umkhonto we Sizwe activist (1920–1964) *Johnson Mlambo, political activist (1940–2021) *Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, deputy president (born 1955) *Pieter Mulder, leader of the Freedom Front Plus and former deputy minister of agriculture (born 1951) *Monty Naicker, Gagathura (Monty) Mohambry Naicker, medical doctor and politician (1910–1978) *Bulelani Ngcuka, politician (born 1954) *Dullah Omar, politician (1934–2004) *Andries Pretorius, Boer leader and commandant-general (1799–1853) *Deneys Reitz, boer commando, deputy Prime Minister and High Commissioner to London (1882–1944) *Pixley ka Isaka Seme, ANC founder member (1881–1951) *Mbhazima Shilowa, trade unionist and premier (born 1958) *Walter Sisulu, political activist (1912–2003) *Ruth First-Slovo, political activist and wife to Joe Slovo (1924–1982) *Joe Slovo, politician (1926–1995) *Harry Schwarz, lawyer, politician, ambassador to United States and anti-apartheid leader (1924–2010) *Robert Sobukwe, political activist and founder of Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, PAC (1924–1978) *Helen Suzman, politician (1917–2009) *Oliver Tambo, political activist (1917–1993) *Catherine Taylor (South African politician), Catherine Taylor, politician (1914–1992) *Frederik van Zyl Slabbert, PFP opposition leader (1940–2010) *Helen Zille, former DA opposition leader, former premier of the Western Cape (born 1951) *Jacob Zuma, former president (born 1942)

Prime Ministers and presidents

Frederik de Klerk with Nelson Mandela - World Economic Forum Annual Meeting Davos 1992

*Jacobus Boshoff, 2nd President of the Orange Free State (1808–1881) *Louis Botha, Boer commander-in-chief and 1st Prime Minister of South Africa (1862–1919) *Pieter Willem Botha, 9th and last Prime Minister and 8th State President of South Africa (1916–2006) *Jan Brand, Johannes Henricus Brand, 4th President of the Orange Free State (1823–1888) *Thomas François Burgers, 4th President of South African Republic (1871–1877) *Schalk Willem Burger, 6th and last President of South African Republic (1852–1918) *Frederik Willem de Klerk, 9th and last State President of South Africa (1990–1994) and joint Nobel Peace Prize winner (1936–2021) *Nicolaas Johannes Diederichs, 4th State President of South Africa (1903–1978) *Jacobus Johannes Fouché, 3rd State President of South Africa (1898–1980) *James Barry Munnik Hertzog, Boer general and 3rd Prime Minister of South Africa (1866–1942) *Josias Hoffman, 1st President of the Orange Free State (1807–1879) *Petrus Jacobus Joubert, Boer general and member of the Troika in the South African Republic (1834–1900) *Paul Kruger, member of the Troika, 5th President of South African Republic (1825–1904) *Daniel François Malan, 5th Prime Minister of South Africa and is responsible for laying the groundwork for Apartheid (1874–1959) *Nelson Mandela, 1st democratically elected President of South Africa and joint Nobel Peace Prize winner (1918–2013) *Thabo Mbeki, 2nd post-apartheid South Africa, post-apartheid President of South Africa (born 1942) *John X. Merriman, last prime minister of the Cape Colony (1841–1926) *Kgalema Motlanthe, 3rd post-apartheid President of South Africa (born 1949) *Tom Naudé, 2nd State President of South Africa (1889–1969) *Marthinus Wessel Pretorius, 3rd President of the Orange Free State, 1st and 3rd President of the ZAR (1819–1901) *Cyril Ramaphosa, 5th post-apartheid President of South Africa (born 1952) *Francis William Reitz, 5th President of the Orange Free State (1844–1934) *Jan Smuts, Boer general, British field marshal, 2nd and 4th Prime Minister of South Africa (1870–1950) *Johannes Gerhardus Strijdom, Johannes Strijdom, 6th Prime Minister of South Africa (1893–1958) *Martinus Theunis Steyn, 6th and last President of the Orange Free State (1857–1916) *Charles Robberts Swart, last Governor-General of the Union of South Africa and 1st State President of the RSA (1894–1982) *Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd, 7th Prime Minister of South Africa and primary architect of Apartheid (1901–1966) *Marais Viljoen, 5th and 7th State President of South Africa (1915–2007) *B.J. Vorster, Balthazar Johannes Vorster, 8th Prime Minister and 6th State President of South Africa (1915–1983) *Jacob Zuma, 4th post-apartheid President of South Africa (born 1942)

Provincial Premiers

*Nosimo Balindlela, 3rd Premier of the Eastern Cape (born 1949) *Lynne Brown, (interim) 6th Premier of the Western Cape (born 1961) *Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, 2nd Premier of the Free State (1937–2009) *Grizelda Cjiekella, (acting) Premier of the Northern Cape (1970–2012) *Manne Dipico, 1st Premier of the Northern Cape (born 1959) *Winkie Direko, 3rd Premier of the Free State (1929–2012) *Noxolo Kiviet, 5th Premier of the Eastern Cape (born 1963) *Hernus Kriel, 1st Premier of the Western Cape (1941–2015) *Hazel Jenkins, 3rd Premier of the Northern Cape (born 1960) *Mosiuoa Lekota, 1st Premier of the Free State (born 1948) *Sylvia Lucas, 4th Premier of the Northern Cape (born 1964) *David Mabuza, 4th Premier of Mpumalanga (born 1960) *Ace Magashule, 5th Premier of the Free State (born 1959) *Supra Mahumapelo, 5th Premier of North West (born 1968) *David Makhura, 6th Premier of Gauteng (born 1968) *Thabang Makwetla, 3rd Premier of Mpumalanga (born 1957) *Peter Marais, 3rd Premier of the Western Cape (born 1948) *Beatrice Marshoff, 4th Premier of the Free State (born 1957) *Paul Mashatile, 4th Premier of Gauteng (born 1961) *Stanley Mathabatha, 4th Premier of Limpopo (born 1957) *Cassel Mathale, 3rd Premier of Limpopo (born 1961) *Senzo Mchunu, 6th Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (born 1958) *Willies Mchunu, 7th Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (born 1948) *Frank Mdlalose, 1st Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (1931–2021) *Raymond Mhlaba, 1st Premier of the Eastern Cape (1920–2005) *Zweli Mkhize, 5th Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (born 1956) *Thandi Modise, 4th Premier of North West (born 1959) *Maureen Modiselle, 3rd Premier of North West (born 1941) *Job Mokgoro, 6th Premier of North West (born 1948) *Nomvula Mokonyane, 5th Premier of Gauteng (born 1963) *Popo Molefe, 1st Premier of North West (born 1952) *Edna Molewa, 2nd Premier of North West (1957–2018) *Sello Moloto, 2nd Premier of Limpopo (born 1964) *Gerald Morkel, 2nd Premier of the Western Cape (1941–2018) *Mathole Motshekga, 2nd Premier of Gauteng (born 1949) *Lionel Mtshali, 3rd Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (1935–2015) *Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane, 5th Premier of Mpumalanga (born 1972/73) *S'bu Ndebele, 4th Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (born 1948) *Ben Ngubane, 2nd Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (1941–2021) *Sisi Ntombela, 6th Premier of the Free State (born 1956/1957) *Dipuo Peters, 2nd Premier of the Northern Cape (born 1960) *Mathews Phosa, 1st Premier of Mpumalanga (born 1952) *Ngoako Ramathlodi, 1st Premier of Limpopo (born 1955) *Leonard Ramatlakane, (acting) Premier of the Western Cape (born 1953) *Ebrahim Rasool, 5th Premier of the Western Cape (born 1962) *Zamani Saul, 5th Premier of the Northern Cape (born 1972) *Tokyo Sexwale, 1st Premier of Gauteng (born 1953) *Mbhazima Shilowa, 3rd Premier of Gauteng (born 1958) *Mbulelo Sogoni, 4th Premier of the Eastern Cape (born 1966) *Makhenkesi Stofile, 2nd Premier of the Eastern Cape (1944–2016) *Marthinus van Schalkwyk, 4th Premier of the Western Cape (born 1959) *Alan Winde, 8th Premier of the Western Cape (born 1965) *Sihle Zikalala, 8th Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (born 1973) *Helen Zille, 7th Premier of the Western Cape (born 1951)

Homelands Leaders

*Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Chief Executive Councillor and Chief Minister of KwaZulu (born 1928) *Oupa Gqozo, President of Ciskei (born 1952) *Gen. Bantu Holomisa, Prime Minister of Transkei (born 1955) *Chief Thandatha Jongilizwe Mabandla, chief executive officer; Chief Executive Councillor and Chief Minister of Ciskei (1926–2021) *Dr. Enos John Mabuza, Chief Minister of KaNgwane (1939–1997) *Rocky Malebane-Metsing, President of Bophuthatswana (1949–2016) *Kgosi Lucas Mangope, chief executive officer; Chief Executive Councillor; Chief Minister and President of Bophuthatswana (1923–2018) *Chief George Matanzima, Prime Minister of Transkei (1918–2000) *Chief Kaiser Matanzima, Chief Minister; Prime Minister and President of Transkei (1915–2003) *Edward Mhinga, acting Chief Minister of Gazankulu (1927–2017) *Job Mokgoro, Administrator (Transitional Executive Council) of Bophuthatswana (born 1948) *Kenneth Mopeli, Chief Executive Councillor and Chief Minister of Qwaqwa (1930–2014) *Chief Patrick Mphephu, chief executive officer; Chief Executive Councillor; Chief Minister and the President of Venda (1924–1988) *Hudson William Edison Ntsanwisi, Chief of Minister of Gazankulu (1920–1993) *Samuel Dickenson Nxumalo, Chief Minister of Gazankulu (1926–2017) *Dr. Cedric Phatudi, Chief Minister of Lebowa (1912–1987) *Gabriel Ramushwana, Head of State of Venda (1941–2015) *Frank Ravele, Head of State of Venda (1926–1999) *Lt. Gen. Charles Sebe, acting Chief Minister of Ciskei *Lennox Sebe, Chief Minister and President of Ciskei (1926–1994) *Chief Botha Sigcau, President of Transkei and father of Stella Sigcau (died c.1979) *Stella Sigcau, Prime of Transkei (1937–2006) *Tjaart van der Walt (academic), Tjaart van der Walt, Administrator Transitional Executive Council of Bophuthatswana (1934–2019)

Administrators of former provinces

*Cornelius Botha, 12th and last Administrator of the Natal Province (1932–2014) *Stoffel Botha, 10th Administrator of the Natal Province (1929–1998) *Radclyffe Cadman, 11th Administrator of the Natal Province (1924–2011) *Dr Willem Adriaan Cruywagen, 10th Administrator of the Transvaal Province (1921–2013) *Nicolaas Frederic de Waal, 1st Administrator of the Cape Province (1853–1932) *Jim Fouché, 8th Administrator of the Orange Free State Province (1898–1980) *Theo Gerdener, 8th Administrator of the Natal Province (1916–2013) *Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr (1894–1948), Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, 3rd Administrator of the Transvaal Province (1894–1948) *Gene Louw, 13th Administrator of the Cape Province (1931–2015) *Nico Malan, 10th Administrator of the Cape Province *William Nicol (Transvaal), William Nico, 7th Administrator of the Transvaal Province (1887–1967) *Fox Odendaal, Frans Hendrik Odendaal, 8th Administrator of the Transvaal Province (1898–1966) *Denis Gem Shepstone, 6th Administrator of the Natal Province (1888–1966) *Alfred Ernest Trollip, 7th Administrator of the Natal Province (1895–1972) *Johannes Van Rensburg, 6th Administrator of the Orange Free State Province (1898–1966) *Gideon Brand van Zyl, 5th Administrator of the Cape Province (1873–1956) *Sir Cornelius Hermanus Wessels, 2nd Administrator of the Orange Free State Province (1851–1924)

Royalty

Kings, queens, princes and princesses

*Cetshwayo kaMpande, 4th Zulu king (1826–1884) *Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon, 7th Zulu king (1924–1945) *Goodwill Zwelethini kaBhekuzulu, Goodwill Zwelethini, 8th king of the Zulu people, Zulu nation (1948–2021) *Mantfombi Dlamini, Mantifombi Dlamini, wife of Goodwill Zweilithini and former Queen of Zulu nation (1956-2021) *Mangosuthu Buthelezi, politician and a Zulu prince (born 1928) *Dingane kaSenzangakhona, 2nd Zulu king and half-brother of Shaka (1795–1840) *Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo, 5th Zulu king, not officially recognized (1868–1913) *Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, Aa! Zwelibanzi! Ruler of the Thembu (born 1964) *Sabata Dalindyebo, Aa! Jonguhlanga! Ring of the Thembu (1928–1986) *Faku kaNgqungqushe, Ruler of the Mpondo (1780–1867) *Hintsa ka Khawuta, Aa! Zanzolo! King of Xhosa people, Xhosa Nation (1780–1835) *Khawuta kaGcaleka, Aa! Khala! King of the Xhosa Nation (1761–1804) *Langalibalele, Hlubi king (1814–1889) *Ingwenyama Mayitjha III, 7th Southern Ndebele people, Ndebele, king of Ndzundza-Mabhoko (1947–2005) *Magogo kaDinuzulu, Zulu princess and mother of Mangosuthu Buthelezi (1900–1984) *Mampuru II, king of the Marota (or Bapedi) (died c.1883) *Lwandile Zwelenkosi Matanzima, Lwandile Matanzima, Aa! Zwelenkosi! King of the Western Thembu (1970/71–2010) *Maselekwane Modjadji, Balobedu's 1st Rain Queen (died 1854) *Masalanabo Modjadji, Balobedu's 2nd Rain Queen (died 1894) *Khetoane Modjadji, Balobedu's 3rd Rain Queen (1869–1959) *Makoma Modjadji, Balobedu's 4th Rain Queen (1905–1980) *Mokope Modjadji, Balobedu's 5th Rain Queen (1936–2001) *Makobo Modjadji, Balobedu's 6th Rain Queen (1978–2005) *Mkabayi kaJama, Zulu princess and sister of Senzangakhona (1750–1843) *Mpande, 3rd Zulu king and half-brother of Shaka (1798–1872) *Mthimkhulu II, King of the AmaHlubi (1778–1818) *Mzilikazi, king of the Matabele (1790–1868) *Nandi (mother of Shaka), Nandi, Mhlongo princess and mother of Shaka (1760–1827) *Ngqungqushe kaNyawuza, Mpondo ruler (1715/1760–1810/1815) *Ngubengcuka, Aa! Ndaba! prominent king of the abaThembu (died 1830) *Emma Sandile, (1842–1892), Aa! Emma! Xhosa Princess and the daughter of King Mgolombane Sandile (1842–1892) *Mgolombane Sandile, Aa! Mgolombane! Xhosa people, Xhosa king of the Right Hand House of the Xhosa Nation (1820–1878) *Maxhob'ayakhawuleza Sandile, Zanesizwe Sandile, Aa! Zanesizwe! King of the Right Hand House of the Xhosa Nation (1956–2011) *Noloyiso Sandile, Aa! Noloyiso! Zulu Princess, Rharhabe Regent Queen, daughter of Zulu King Cyprian Bhekuzulu, sister to King Goodwill Zwelithini and the wife of the AmaRharhabe Monarch Zanesizwe Sandile (1963–2020) *Sarili kaHintsa, Aa! Krili! King Of The Xhosa Nation (c. 1810–1892) *Botha Sigcau, Jongilizwe! King of the Eastern Pondo (died 1978) *Xolilizwe Mzikayise Sigcawu, Xolilizwe Sigcawu, Aa! Xolilizwe! Xhosa King (1926–2005) *Zwelonke Sigcawu, Aa! Zwelonke! Xhosa king (1968–2019) *Sekhukhune, king of the Marota (or Bapedi) (1814–1882) *Senzangakhona kaJama, Zulu king and father of Shaka (1762–1816) *Shaka, founder of the Zulu people, Zulu nation (1787–1828) *Solomon kaDinuzulu, 6th Zulu king, not officially recognized (1891–1933) *Victor Thulare III, king of the Pedi (1980–2021) *Usibepu, uZibhebhu kaMaphitha, Zulu prince and chief (1841–1904)

Tribal leaders and prophets

See also: List of rulers of the Gcaleka, Gcaleka rulers,
List of rulers of the Rharhabe, Rharhabe rulers
:Ndwandwe people, Ndwandwe people,
List of Xhosa Chiefs, Xhosa Chiefs,
Zulus Bambatha and helper

David Stuurman Statue at the National Heritage Monument in Pretoria, South Africa

*Bhambatha, Bambatha kaMancinza, Zulu chief of the amaZondi clan and Bambatha Rebellion (1865–1906) *Chief Albert Luthuli, Zulu chief and political activist (1898–1967) *Adam Kok III, Adam Kok, Griqua leader (1811–1875) *David Stuurman, Khoi chief and political activist (1773–1830) *Thandatha Jongilizwe Mabandla, amaBhele chief, Tyume Valley, Alice, Ciskei (1926–2021) *Makhanda (prophet), Makhanda, amaXhosa prophet (died 1819) *Maqoma, Aa! Jongumsobomvu! amaRharhabe chief (1798–1873) *Chief Mqalo, Amakhuze chief, Ciskei region (1916–2008) *Moshoeshoe I, Basotho chief (c. 1786–1870) *Nongqawuse, millennialist amaXhosa prophetess (c. 1840–1898) *Ntsikana, amaXhosa prophet (1780–1821) *Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Sigcau, traditional leader of Lwandlolubomvu Traditional Council (1947–1996) *Sigananda kaSokufa, Zulu aristocrat (c. 1815–1906) *Hendrik Spoorbek, prophet and magician (died 1845) *Mbongeleni Zondi, Zulu chief and great-grandson of Inkosi Bambatha kaMancinza (1969–2009)

Atheists

*Zackie Achmat, AIDS activist, (born 1962) *David Benatar, professor of philosophy (born 1966) *Barry Duke, activist, journalist, editor of The Freethinker (born 1947) * Nadine Gordimer, activist, writer, Nobel laureate (1923–2014) *Ronnie Kasrils, politician (born 1938) *Jacques Rousseau (secular activist), Jacques Rousseau, secular activist, social commentator (born 1971) *Harold Rubin, visual artist, musician (1932–2020) *Joe Slovo, politician (1926–1995) *Lewis Wolpert, author, biologist, broadcaster (1929–2021)

Prelates, clerics and evangelists

*William Anderson (missionary), William Anderson, missionary (1769–1852) *Nicholas Bhengu, evangelist and founder of Assemblies of God (1909–1986) *Allan Boesak, cleric and anti-apartheid activist (born 1945) *David Jacobus Bosch, missiologist and theologian (1929–1992) *Angus Buchan, evangelist (born 1947) *Frank Chikane, cleric and anti-apartheid activist (born 1951) *John William Colenso, Anglican bishop of Natal (1814–1883) *Ahmed Deedat (1918–2005) *S.J. du Toit, cleric, Afrikaans language pioneer and founder member of the Genootskap vir Regte Afrikaners (1847–1911) *Allan Hendrickse, cleric and MP (1927–2005) *Denis Hurley (bishop), Denis Hurley, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Durban (1915–2004) *Edward Lekganyane, the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) leader (1922–1967) *Engenas Lekganyane, the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) founder (1885–1948) *Albert Luthuli, cleric, politician and 1960 Nobel Peace Prize winner (c. 1898–1967) *Thabo Makgoba, current Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Archbishop of Cape Town and Primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (born 1960) *Charlotte Maxeke, religious leader and political activist (1874–1939) *Ray McCauley, head of Rhema church (born 1949) *Robert Moffat (missionary), Robert Moffat, missionary, Bible translator and founder of Kuruman (1795–1883) *Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, Catholic priest (born 1939) *Frederick Samuel Modise, founder of International Pentecostal Holiness Church (Africa), the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (1914–1998) *Glayton Modise, the International Pentecostal Holiness Church leader (1940–2016) *Andrew Murray (minister), Andrew Murray (1828–1917) *Zithulele Patrick Mvemve, South African Roman Catholic bishop (1941–2020) *Selby Mvusi, theologian and artist (1929–1967) *Wilfrid Napier, cardinal (Catholicism), cardinal of the Catholic Church (born 1941) *Beyers Naudé, cleric and anti-apartheid activist (1915–2004) *Jozua Naudé (pastor), Jozua Naudé, pastor, school founder and co-founder of the Afrikaner Broederbond (1873–1948) *Carl Niehaus, theologian and former spokesman of South African president Nelson Mandela (born 1959) *Albert Nolan, Catholic priest (born 1934) *John Philip (missionary), John Philip, missionary (1775–1851) *Barney Pityana, human rights lawyer and theologian (born 1945) *Ambrose Reeves, Anglican bishop and opponent of Apartheid (1899–1980) *David Russell (bishop), David Russell, South African Anglican bishop (1938–2014) * Isaiah Shembe, the Nazareth Baptist Church, Church of Nazareth founder (1865–1935) *Desmond Tutu, cleric and Nobel Peace Prize winner (1931–2021) *William Cullen Wilcox, missionary (1850–1928)

Sport

Conservationists

*Ian Player (1927–2014) *James Stevenson-Hamilton (1867–1957) *John Varty (born 1950)

Food

* Bertus Basson (born 1979) * Karen Dudley (born 1968) * Prue Leith (born 1940) * Abigail Mbalo-Mokoena * Jenny Morris (chef), Jenny Morris * Nompumelelo Mqwebu (born 1977) * Siba Mtongana (born 1984) * Kamini Pather (born 1983) * Reuben Riffel (born 1974) * Lesego Semenya (1982–2021) * Faldela Williams (1952–2014)

Travelers, adventurers and pioneers

*Biggar family, Alexander Biggar, colonial pioneer (1781–1838) *Jeanne M. Borle, missionary and naturalist (1880 – ca. 1979) *William John Burchell, naturalist traveler (1781–1863) *Francisco de Almeida, adventurer buried in Cape Town (c. 1450–1510) *Bartolomeu Dias, explorer who reached eastern Cape (c. 1450–1500) *John Robert Dunn, John Dunn, colonial pioneer (1833–1895) *Robert Jacob Gordon, explorer, soldier, naturalist (1743–1795) *Emil Holub, explorer (1847–1902) *Nathaniel Isaacs, Natal traveler (1808–1872) *Dick King, colonial pioneer (1813–1871) *François Levaillant, Cape naturalist traveler (1753–1824) *Karl Mauch, traveling geologist (1873–1875) *Harriet A. Roche, Transvaal traveler (1835–1921) *Carl Peter Thunberg, Cape naturalist traveler (1743–1828) *Sibusiso Vilane, first black African to summit Mount Everest (born 1970) *Kingsley Holgate, traveler and pioneer (born 1946) *Mike Horn, explorer, traveler, environmentalist, adventurer (born 1966) *James Edward Alexander, James Alexander, explorer of the west coast and Namibia (1803–1885) *Saray Khumalo, explorer and mountaineer (born 1972)

Criminals

*Daisy de Melker, murderer (1886–1932) *Foster Gang, William Foster, leader of the Foster Gang *Allan Heyl, Stander Gang member and bank robber (died 2020) *Cedric Maake, serial killer (born 1965) *Bulelani Mabhayi, serial killer (born 1974) *Simon Majola, robber and serial killer who, with (born 1968) *Fanuel Makamu, robber, rapist and serial killer (born 1977) *Andries Makgae, serial killer and rapist (born 1962) *Lee McCall, Stander Gang member and bank robber (1950–1984) *Nicholas Lungisa Ncama, a rapist and serial killer *Velaphi Ndlangamandla, robber and serial killer (born 1966) *Solomon Ngobeni, the last person to be executed by the government of South Africa (died 1989) *Butana Almond Nofomela, murder (born 1957) *Gert van Rooyen, paedophile (1938–1990) *Khangayi Sedumedi, Killer South African serial killer and rapist (born 1977) *Schabir Shaik, convicted fraudster *Norman Afzal Simons, rapist and serial killer (born 1967) *Moses Sithole, convicted serial rapist and murderer (born 1964) *Rashied Staggie, crime boss (1961–2019) *Andre Stander, gang member (1946–1984) *Thozamile Taki, serial killer (born 1971) *Sipho Thwala, rapist and serial killer (born 1968) *Dorethea van der Merwe, first woman to be hanged for murder under the Union of South Africa *Bulelani Vukwana, spree killer (c. 1973–2002) *Elias Xitavhudzi, serial killer *Christopher Mhlengwa Zikode, rapist and serial killer (born 1975)

Other

*Herbert Baker, Sir Herbert Baker, influential in South African architecture (1862–1946) *Nozipho Bhengu, woman whose death was from an AIDS-related illness (1974–2006) *Fredie Blom, South African supercentenarian Fredie Blom (1904–2020) *Denise Darvall, considered to be donor for the first human heart transplant (1943–1967) *Ncoza Dlova, heralded as first black female head of University of KwaZulu-Natal's School of Clinical Medicine *Napoléon Eugène, Prince Imperial, Napoléon Eugène, last of Napoleons who died in Zulu war (1856–1879) *Emily Hobhouse, African British welfare campaigner for South Africans (1860–1926) *John Hutchinson (botanist), John Hutchinson, thorough contributor to South African botany (1884–1972) *Nkosi Johnson, child who died of AIDS (1989–2001) *Isabel Jean Jones, early consumer advocate journalist (died 2008) *Masego Kgomo, South African girl murdered (1999–2009) *Sandra Laing, racial classification victim (born 1955) *Justin Gabriel, Paul Lloyd Jr, first South African wrestler to wrestle in WWE, son of successful SA wrestling promoter Paul Lloyd (born 1981) *Asnath Mahapa, first female South African pilot (born 1979) *Joe Mamasela, former Apartheid government spy (born 1953) *Nomkhitha Virginia Mashinini, South African apartheid detainee, the mother of political figure Tsietsi Mashinini, and a community worker (1935–2008) *Murder of Leigh Matthews, Leigh Matthews, South African university student, kidnapped and murdered (1983–2004) *Breaker Morant, Australian Boer War soldier executed by the British Army (1864–1902) *Uyinene Mrwetyana, South African student, raped and murdered (2000–2019) *Hastings Ndlovu, poster victim of the Soweto riots (1961–1976) *

, poster victim of the Soweto riots (1964–1976) *Mrs. Ples, hominid fossil (born c. 2.6 to 2.8 million years ago) *Raymond Rahme, first African to reach a final table at a World Series of Poker Main Event, finishing third (born 1945) *Willem Ratte, soldier and criminal (born 1948) *Rosenkowitz sextuplets, first known set of sextuplets to survive their infancy (born 1974) *Maki Skosana, Necklacing, necklaced due to be suspected as a police informer (1961–1985) *Reeva Steenkamp, South African model and paralegal (1983–2013) *Adam Tas, colonial activist (1668–1722) *Andries Tatane, Ficksburg activist killed by police (1978–2011) *Taung Child, hominid fossil (born c. 2.5 million years ago) *Louis Washkansky, recipient of first human heart transplant (1913–1967) *Wolraad Woltemade, colonial hero figure (c. 1708–1773)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:South Africans Lists of South African people,