List of South Africans
This is a list of notable South Africans who are the subjects of Wikipedia articles.
Academics
Academics
- Estian Calitz, academic (born 1949)
- Miriam Green, academic now living in England
- Adam Habib, political scientist
- Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, academic and politician (1894–1948)
- Tshilidzi Marwala, academic and businessman (born 1971)
- Njabulo Ndebele, Principal of the University of Cape Town (born 1948)
- D. C. S. Oosthuizen, philosopher, (1926–1968)
- Adriaan N Pelzer, historian and Vice-Principal University Pretoria (1915–1981)
- 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)
- David Webster, anthropologist (1945–1989)
Medical and veterinary
- Abraham Manie Adelstein, UK Chief Medical Statistician (1916–1992)
- Christiaan Barnard, pioneering heart surgeon (1922–2001)
- Wouter Basson, medical scientist (born 1950)
- John Borthwick (veterinary surgeon), veterinary surgeon in the Cape Colony (1867–1936)
- Patrick Soon-Shiong, surgeon, founder Abraxis BioScience, billionaire (born 1952)
- Arnold Theiler, veterinarian (1867–1936)
- Max Theiler, virologist, 1951 Nobel Prize winner (1899–1972)
Scientists
- Andrew Geddes Bain, geologist (1797–1864)
- Peter Beighton, geneticist (born 1934)
- Wilhelm Bleek, linguist (1827–1875)
- Robert Broom, palaeontologist (1866–1951)
- Sydney Brenner, biologist, 2002 Physiology or Medicine Nobel Prize winner (born 1927)
- Phillip Clancey, ornithologist (1918–2001)
- Allan McLeod Cormack, physicist (1924–1998)
- Zodwa Dlamini, biochemist
- Clement Martyn Doke, linguist (1893–1980)
- Mulalo Doyoyo, professor and inventor (born 1970)
- Alexander du Toit, geologist (1878–1948)
- Robert Allen Dyer, botanist (1900–1987))
- Wendy Foden, conservation biologist
- J. W. B. Gunning, zoologist (1860–1913)
- David Lewis-Williams, archaeologist (born 1934)
- Lucy Lloyd, anthropologist (1834–1914)
- Thebe Medupe, astrophysicist (born 1973)
- Hans Merensky, geologist (1871–1952)
- Austin Roberts, zoologist (1883–1948)
- Peter Sarnak, mathematician (born 1953)
- Ramotholo Sefako, astrophysicist (born 1971)
- Buyisiwe Sondezi, physicist (born 1976)
- Basil Schonland, physicist (1896–1972)
- J.L.B. Smith, ichthyologist (1897–1968)
- Phillip Tobias, palaeontologist (1925–2012)
Theologians
Also see: Prelates, clerics and evangelists
- David Bosch (1929–1992)
- John W. de Gruchy (born 1939)
- Dion Forster (born 1972)
- Johan Heyns (1928–1994)
Writers
Authors
- Lady Anne Barnard, travel writer and artist (1750–1825)
- Herman Charles Bosman, author (1905–1951)
- André P. Brink, author (born 1935)
- Justin Cartwright, novelist (born 1945)
- John Maxwell Coetzee, 2003 Nobel Prize-winning author (born 1940)
- K. Sello Duiker, novelist (1974–2005)
- Sir Percy FitzPatrick, writer, businessman and politician (1862–1931)
- Graeme Friedman, author and clinical psychologist
- Damon Galgut, author (born 1963)
- Nadine Gordimer, 1991 Nobel Prize-winning author (1923–2014)
- C. J. Langenhoven, writer and poet (1873–1932)
- Dalene Matthee, author (1938–2005)
- Gcina Mhlope, author, storyteller, playwright, director, actor (born 1959)
- Phaswane Mpe, novelist (1970–2004)
- Deon Meyer, author (born 1958)
- Alan Paton, author (1903–1988)
- Margaret Roberts, herbalist and writer
- Karel Schoeman, novelist and historian (born 1939)
- Olive Schreiner, author (1855–1920)
- Wilbur Smith, Novelist (born 1933)
- J. R. R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of The Rings (1892–1973)
- Etienne van Heerden, novelist (born 1956)
- Marlene van Niekerk, novelist (born 1954)
- Lyall Watson, writer (1939–2008)
- David Yudelman, writer
- Rachel Zadok, London-based South African writer (born 1972)
Editors
- Kojo Baffoe, magazine editor (born 1972)
- Khanyi Dhlomo, magazine editor (born 1975)
- Laurence Gandar, Rand Daily Mail editor (1915–1998)
- John Tengo Jabavu, political activist and newspaper editor (1859–1921)
- Aggrey Klaaste, journalist and editor (1940–2004)
- Max du Preez, newspaper editor (born 1951)
Poets
See also: South African poets and Afrikaans language poets
Mongane Wally Serote
- Roy Campbell, poet (1901–1957)
- Sheila Cussons, poet (1922–2004)
- Jonty Driver (born 1939)
- Jakob Daniël du Toit, poet a.k.a. Totius (1877–1953)
- Elisabeth Eybers, poet (1915–2007)
- Stephen Gray writer and poet (born 1941)
- Ingrid Jonker, poet (1933–1965)
- Antjie Krog, poet, novelist and playwright (born 1952)
- Laurence Lerner, poet (born 1925)
- Chris Mann, poet
- Eugène Nielen Marais, poet, writer, lawyer and naturalist (1871–1936)
- Thomas Pringle, poet and journalist (1789–1834)
- N. P. van Wyk Louw, poet (1906–1970)
- Mongane Wally Serote poet, activist and politician (born 1944)
- Stephen Watson, poet (1954–2011)
Journalists
Sol Plaatje
- Jani Allan, journalist and radio personality (born 1953)
- George Claassen, journalist
- John Charles Daly, television journalist, executive and game show host (1914–1991)
- Arthur Goldstuck, journalist (born 1959)
- Archibald Campbell Jordan (1906–1968)
- Lara Logan, CBS television reporter/correspondent (born 1971)
- John Matisonn, print and radio journalist for both South African and United States broadcasters (born 1949)
- Sol Plaatje, journalist and political activist (1877–1932)
- Percy Qoboza, journalist, editorial writer, and political activist (1938–1988)
- Barry Streek, journalist, political activist, author, parliamentary media manager (1948–2006)
- Eric Lloyd Williams, journalist and war correspondent (1915–1988)
- Donald Woods, journalist and anti-apartheid activist (1933–2001)
Artists
Performing artists
Actors
- Anel Alexander, actress, producer (born 1979)
- Peter Cartwright, actor (1935–2013)
- Sharlto Copley, actor, (District 9) (born 1973)
- Embeth Davidtz, actress (born 1965)
- Kim Engelbrecht, actress (born 1980)
- Willie Esterhuizen, actor
- Brett Goldin, actor (1977–2006)
- Hennie Jacobs, actor (born 1981)
- David James, actor, stage, television, and film actor (born 1972)
- Sid James, film & television actor (1913–1976)
- Adhir Kalyan, actor (born 1983)
- Atandwa Kani, actor
- John Kani, actor, entertainer and writer (born 1943)
- Alice Krige, actress (born 1954)
- Joe Mafela, actor, writer and singer (1942–2017)
- Maps Maponyane, actor (born 1990)
- Khanyi Mbau, radio & television personality and actress notable for Happiness Is a Four-letter Word (born 1985)
- Sean Michael (South African actor), (born 1969)
- Patrick Mynhardt, actor (1932–2007)
- Winston Ntshona, actor (1941–2018)
- Tanit Phoenix, actress (Death Race: Inferno, Lord of War, Safe House, Femme Fatales, Mad Buddies) (born 1984)
- Terry Pheto, actress (born 1981)
- Sasha Pieterse, actress (born 1996)
- Madelaine Petsch, actress (born 1994)
- Sandra Prinsloo, South African actress (born 1947) (The Gods Must Be Crazy, Quest for Love)
- Basil Rathbone, actor (1892–1967)
- Ian Roberts, actor, playwright, singer
- Buhle Samuels
- Stelio Savante, actor (born 1970)
- Clive Scott, actor (born 1937)
- Antony Sher, actor, author and painter (born 1949)
- Cliff Simon, actor (born 1962)
- William Smith, TV teacher and presenter
- Janet Suzman, actress (born 1939)
- Reine Swart, actress, producer
- Charlize Theron, actress (born 1975)
- Pearl Thusi, actress, model, MC
- Pieter-Dirk Uys, political satirist and entertainer (born 1945)
- Musetta Vander, actress (born 1969)
- Arnold Vosloo, actor (The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, 24) (born 1962)
- Brümilda van Rensburg, actress (born 1956)
- Roxane Hayward, actress (born 1991)
Dancers
- Juliet Prowse, dancer (1936–1996)
Playwrights and film directors
- Neill Blomkamp, director, District 9 (born 1979)
- Lev David, writer and media consultant (born 1980)
- Charles J. Fourie, playwright (born 1965)
- Athol Fugard, playwright (born 1932)
- Ronald Harwood, playwright and writer (born 1934)
- Gavin Hood, film director (born 1963), wrote and directed the Academy Award-winning Tsotsi (2005)
- Rob De Mezieres, film director and writer
- Mbongeni Ngema, playwright, actor, choreographer and director (born 1955)
- Michael Oblowitz film director
- Mthuli ka Shezi, playwright and political activist (1947–1972)
- Leon Schuster, filmmaker, comedian, actor and prankster (born 1951)
- Jamie Uys, film director (1921–1996)
Singers, musicians and composers
- Zain Bhikha, world-renowned singer-songwriter of the Nasheed genre
- Michael Blake, classical composer
- Johan Botha, opera singer (born 1965)
- Al Bowlly, popular singer (born 1898)
- Johnny Clegg, musician (born 1953)
- Mimi Coertse, opera singer (born 1932)
- Fanie de Jager, operatic tenor (born 1949)
- Lucky Dube, reggae singer (1964–2007)
- Daniel Friedman (Deep Fried Man), musical comedian (born 1981)
- Claire Johnston, singer
- David Kramer, singer and playwright (born 1951)
- Clare Loveday, classical composer
- Lira (singer), singer (born 1979)
- Winston Ngozi Mankunku, tenor sax player (1943–2009)
- Mahlathini, mbaqanga singer (1938–1999)
- Miriam Makeba, singer and civil rights activist (1932–2008)
- Manfred Mann, musician (born 1940)
- Hugh Masekela, jazz trumpeter and singer (1939–2018)
- Gwendolyn Masin, violinist, author, pedagogue (born 1977)
- Dave Matthews, leader of the Dave Matthews Band (born 1967)
- Ray Phiri, jazz, fision and mbhaqanga musician (1947–2017)
- Aquiles Priester, drummer (born 1971)
- Koos Ras, comedian, singer, writer, composer (1928–1997)
- Enoch Sontonga, composer of national anthem (1873–1905)
- Joseph Shabalala, founder and director of Ladysmith Black Mambazo (born 1941)
- Shaun Morgan, lead singer of the award-winning band Seether (born c. 1978)
- ZP Theart, singer, ex Dragonforce (born c. 1974)
- Hilda Tloubatla, lead singer of Mahotella Queens (born 1942)
- Trevor Rabin, musician, composer, former member of progressive rock band Yes
- Watkin Tudor Jones, rapper, performance artist, band member of Die Antwoord
- Arnold van Wyk, classical composer
- Jason van Wyk, musician, composer, producer (born 1990)
- Yolandi Visser, rapper, performance artist, band member of Die Antwoord
- Kevin Volans, classical composer
Tanit Phoenix
Models, socialites and media personalities
- Jani Allan, radio personality, journalist (born 1953)
- Gina Athans, model, international socialite (born 1984)
- Riaan Cruywagen, TV news reader (born 1945)
- Trevor Denman, horse racing announcer (born 1952)
- Watkin Tudor Jones (Ninja) singer, rapper, actor, director (born 1974)
- Alan Khan, radio and television personality (born 1971)
- Caspar Lee, YouTube personality and actor (born 1994)
- Megan McKenzie, model (born 1980)
- Jeremy Maggs, journalist, radio host and television presenter (born 1961)
- Jeremy Mansfield, radio and TV personality
- Maps Maponyane, media socialite, model and actor
- Trevor Noah, comedian, actor, radio- and television host (born 1984)
- Debora Patta, broadcast journalist and television producer (born 1964)
- Tanit Phoenix, Sports Illustrated model and actress (born 1984)
- 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)
- Yolandi Visser singer, rapper, actor.
- Minki van der Westhuizen, model and TV presenter (born 1984)
Visual Artists
Cartoonists
- T.O. Honiball, cartoonist (1905–1990)
- Jeremy Nell, cartoonist (born 1979)
- Zapiro, cartoonist (born 1958)
Painters
Thomas Baines
- 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 (died 2011)
- William Kentridge, painter (born 1955)
- Neville Lewis, artist (1895–1972)
- Conor Mccreedy, artist (born 1987)
- Brett Murray, artist (born 1961)
- 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)
- Maggie Laubser, painter (1886–1973)
Photographers
- Kevin Carter (1961–1994)
- Ernest Cole (1940–1990)
- Caroline Gibello (born 1974)
- David Goldblatt, photographer (1930–2018)
- Bob Gosani (1934–1972)
- Alf Kumalo (1930–2012)
- Peter Magubane (born 1932)
- Jürgen Schadeberg (born 1931)
- Austin Stevens (born 1951)
Sculptors
- Anton van Wouw (1862–1945)
Performance Artists
- Steven Cohen (born 1962)
- Tracey Rose (born 1974)
Architects
Herbert Baker, architect
- Gerard Moerdijk (1890–1958)
- Herbert Baker (1862–1946)
Business
- Raymond Ackerman, businessman (born 1931)
- Barney Barnato, mining magnate (1852–1897)
- David Brink, businessman (born 1939)
- John Fairbairn, founder of Mutual Life
- Vanessa Gounden, South Africa's richest businesswoman (born 1961)
- Morris Kahn, Israeli billionaire, founder and chairman of Aurec Group (born 1930)[1]
- Sol Kerzner, hotel magnate (born 1935)
- Basetsana Kumalo, former Miss South Africa, presenter and businesswoman (born 1974)
- Stan Medalie, CEO of Leonmed Investments
- Sammy Marks, businessman (1844–1920)
- 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)
- 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)
- Roelof Botha, is a venture capitalist and company director.
- George Rex, pioneer entrepreneur of the Southern Cape (1765–1839)
Legal, police and military
- Lourens Ackermann, constitutional court judge (born 1934)
- Ismail Ayob, lawyer (born 1942)
- George Bizos, lawyer (born 1928)
- Louis Botha, Boer War General, captured Winston Churchill during the Second Boer War, also one of the singnitaries of the Treaty of Vereeniging (1862–1919)
- Arthur Chaskalson, judge (born 1931)
- Piet Cronjé, Boer general and commander-in-chief of ZAR's military forces (1840–1911)
- Koos de la Rey, Boer general (1847–1914)
- Pierre de Vos, constitutional law scholar (born 1963)
- 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, advocate QC (1904–1973)
- Sydney Kentridge, former advocate of the Supreme Court and Acting Justice of the Constitutional Court (born 1922)
- Mervyn E. King, former judge of the Supreme Court of South Africa and chairman of the King Committee on Corporate Governance
- 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)
- Mogoeng Mogoeng, Chief Justice of South Africa (born 1961)
- 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)
- Albie Sachs, justice in constitutional court (born 1935)
- Jackie Selebi, national commissioner of police (born 1950)
- Percy Sonn, former head of the Directorate of Special Operations (1947–2007)
- 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
- Zackie Achmat, AIDS activist (born 1962)
- Neil Aggett, political activist and trade unionist (c. 1953–1982)
- Jeremy Baskin, trade unionist (born 1956)
- Edward Bhengu, founder member of the PAC (1934–2010)
- Steve Biko, nonviolent political activist (1946–1977)
- Fort Calata, political activist and one of The Cradock Four (1956–1985)
- James Calata, political activist and ANC secretary (1895–1983)
- Walter Rubusana, first deputy president of the ANC (1856–1936)
- Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, political activist (born 1930)
- Pregs Govender, human rights activist, former ANC MP, anti-apartheid campaigner (born 1960)
- Irene Grootboom, housing rights activist (c. 1969–2008)
- Dennis Goldberg, political activist (born 1933)
- Matthew Goniwe, political activist and one of the Cradock four (1946–1985)
- Josiah Tshangana Gumede, political activist (1867–1946)
- Chris Hani, political activist (1942–1993)
- Ruth Hayman, anti-apartheid campaigner (died 1981)
- Bantu Holomisa, political activist (born 1955)
- Helen Joseph, anti-apartheid activist (1905–1992)
- Ahmed Kathrada, political activist (1929–2017)
- Moses Kotane, anti-apartheid activist (1907–1978)
- Ellen Kuzwayo, political activist (1914–2006)
- Anton Lembede, political activist (1914–1947)
- Moses Mabhida, anti-apartheid activist (1923–1986)
- Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (1936–2018)
- Zacharias Richard Mahabane, political activist (1881–1971)
- Sefako Makgatho, political activist (1861–1951)
- Adolph Malan, fighter pilot and civil rights activist (1910–1963)
- Joe Matthews, political activist and son of ZK Matthews (1929–2010)
- Z. K. Matthews, political activist (1901–1968)
- 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, anti-apartheid assassin and later police chief (born 1963)
- 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)
- Vuyisile Mini, unionist and Umkhonto we Sizwe activist (1920–1964)
- Sparrow Mkhonto, political activist and one of the Cradock four (1951–1985)
- Wilton Mkwayi, political activist (1923–2004)
- Andrew Mlangeni, political activist (born 1925)
- Joe Modise, political activist (1929–2001)
- Ruth Mompati, political activist (1925–2015)
- James Moroka, political activist (1891–1985)
- Elias Motsoaledi, political activist (1924–1994)
- Oscar Mpetha, political activist (1909–1994)
- Griffiths Mxenge, anti-apartheid activist (1935–1981)
- Victoria Mxenge, anti-apartheid activist (1942–1985)
- Rahima Moosa, anti-apartheid activist (1922–1993)
- Moosa Moolla, political activist (born 1934)
- Billy Nair, political activist (1929–2008)
- Duma Nokwe, political activist (1927–1978)
- Lilian Ngoyi, anti-apartheid activist (1911–1980)
- Alfred Nzo, political activist (1925–2000)
- Sol Plaatje, political activist (1876–1932)
- Robert Resha, political activist (1920–1978)
- Reggie September, activist (1923–2013)
- 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 (1919–2011)
- Walter Sisulu, political activist (1912–2003)
- Robert Sobukwe, political activist (1924–1978)
- Veronica Sobukwe, political activist and wife to Robert Sobukwe (1927–2018)
- Makhenkesi Stofile, political activist (1944–2016)
- Adelaide Tambo political activist and wife to Oliver Tambo (1929–2007)
- Oliver Tambo, political activist (1917–1993)
- Steve Tshwete, political activist (1938–2002)
- Khoisan X, political activist (1955–2010)
- Alfred Xuma, political activist and ANC president (1893–1962)
Apartheid operatives
- Wouter Basson, apartheid scientist (born 1950)
- Dirk Coetzee, apartheid covert operative
- Eugene de Kock, apartheid assassin
- Clive Derby-Lewis, assassin and former parliamentarian (born 1936)
- 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
See also: Dutch Cape governors, British Cape governors, Natal governors and Governors-General
- 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)
- Harry Smith, Cape governor 1847–52 (1787–1860)
- Andries Stockenström, governor of British Kaffraria (1792–1964)
- 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 (1873–1960), Chief Justice of South Africa and acting Governor-General
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)
- 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 (1915–2002)
- De Villiers Graaff, United Party opposition leader (1913–1999)
- 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)
- Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, politician and second wife of Nelson Mandela (1936–2018)
- Mabel Malherbe, politician, magazine founder, and writer (1879–1964)
- Trevor Manuel, minister of finance (born 1956)
- Lindiwe Mazibuko, current Parliamentary Leader for the opposition Democratic Alliance (born 1980)
- Roelf Meyer, politician and businessman (born 1947)
- Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, deputy president (born 1955)
- Pieter Mulder, leader of the Freedom Front Plus and former deputy minister of agriculture (born 1951)
- 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)
- 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)
- Helen Suzman, politician (1917–2009)
- Catherine Taylor, politician (1914–1992)
- Frederik van Zyl Slabbert, PFP opposition leader (1940–2010)
- Helen Zille, DA opposition leader, current Premier of the Western Cape (born 1951)
- Jacob Zuma, former President (born 1942)
Prime Ministers and Presidents
- 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)
- 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 (born 1936)
- 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 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)
- Jozua François 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 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)
- 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)
Royalty
- Cetshwayo kaMpande, 4th Zulu king (1826–1884)
- Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon, 7th Zulu king (1924–1945)
- Goodwill Zwelethini, 8th and current king of the Zulu nation (born 1948)
- Dingane kaSenzangakhona, 2nd Zulu king and half-brother of Shaka (1795–1840)
- Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo, 5th Zulu king (1868–1913) not officially recognized
- Mangosuthu Buthelezi, politician and a Zulu prince (born 1928)
- Maxhob'ayakhawuleza Sandile, Xhosa king of Rharhabes (1956–2011)
- Xolilizwe Mzikayise Sigcawu, Xhosa king of Gcalekas (1926–2011)
- Zwelonke Sigcawu, Xhosa king Gcalekas (born 1968)
- uZibhebhu kaMaphitha, Zulu prince and chief (1841–1904)
- 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)
- Mpande, 3rd Zulu king and half-brother of Shaka (1798–1872)
- Mzilikazi, king of the Matabele (c. 1790–1868)
- Sekhukhune, king of the Marota (or Bapedi) (1814–1882)
- Shaka, founder of the Zulu nation (1787–1828)
- Solomon kaDinuzulu, 6th Zulu king (1891–1933) not officially recognized
Tribal leaders and prophets
See also: Gcaleka rulers,
Ndwandwe people,
Xhosa Chiefs,
Zulus
- Hintsa kaKhawuta, amaXhosa chief (1789–1835)
- Khawuta kaGcaleka, amaXhosa chief (c. 1761–1804)
- Chief Albert Luthuli, Zulu chief and political activist (1898–1967)
- Adam Kok, Griqua leader (1811–1875)
- David Stuurman, Khoi chief and political activist (1773–1830)
- Thandatha Jongilizwe Mabandla, amaBhele chief, Tyume Valley, Alice, Ciskei (born 1926)
- Makhanda, amaXhosa prophet (died 1820)
- Chief Mqalo, Amakhuze chief, Ciskei region (1916–2008)
- Moshoeshoe I, Basotho chief (c. 1786–1870)
- Ngubengcuka, prominent chief of the Thembu amaXhosa (died 1832)
- Nongqawuse, millennialist amaXhosa prophetess (c. 1840–1898)
- Sarili kaHintsa, amaXhosa chief (c. 1810–1892)
- Sigananda kaSokufa, Zulu aristocrat (c. 1815–1906)
- Hendrik Spoorbek, prophet and magician (died 1845)
Atheists
- Zackie Achmat, AIDS activist, (born 1962)
- David Benatar, professor of philosophy
- Barry Duke, activist, journalist, editor of The Freethinker (born 1947)
- Nadine Gordimer, activist, writer, Nobel laureate (1923–2014)
- Ronnie Kasrils, politician
- Jacques Rousseau, secular activist, social commentator (born 1971)
- Harold Rubin, visual artist, musician (born 1932)
- Joe Slovo, politician (1926–1995)
- Lewis Wolpert, author, biologist, broadcaster (born 1929)
Prelates, clerics and evangelists
- 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)
- 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, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Durban (1915–2004)
- Albert Luthuli, cleric, politician and 1960 Nobel Peace Prize winner (c. 1898–1967)
- Thabo Makgoba, current 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, Bible translator and founder of Kuruman (1795–1883)
- Andrew Murray (1828–1917)
- Wilfrid Napier, cardinal of the Catholic Church (born 1941)
- Beyers Naudé, cleric and anti-apartheid activist (1915–2004)
- Albert Nolan, Catholic priest (born 1934)
- John Philip, missionary (1775–1851)
- Desmond Tutu, cleric and Nobel Peace Prize winner (born 1931)
- William Cullen Wilcox, missionary (1850–1928)
Sport
Conservationists
- Ian Player (born 1927)
- James Stevenson-Hamilton (1867–1957)
- John Varty (born 1950)
Travelers, adventurers and pioneers
- Alexander Biggar, colonial pioneer (1781–1838)
- 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 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
- Mike Horn, explorer, traveler, environmentalist, adventurer
- James Alexander, explorer of the west coast and Namibia
Criminals
- Schabir Shaik, convicted fraudster
- Moses Sithole, convicted serial rapist and murderer (born 1964)
- Rashied Staggie, crime boss
- Andre Stander, gang member (1946–1984)
- Gert van Rooyen, pedophile (died 1990)
- Bulelani Vukwana, spree killer (c. 1973–2002)
- Daisy de Melker, murderer (1886–1932)
- William Foster, leader of the Foster Gang
- Elias Xitavhudzi
Other
- Sir Herbert Baker, influential in South African architecture (1862–1946)
- Denise Darvall, donor for the first human heart transplant (1943–1967)
- Emily Hobhouse, welfare campaigner for South Africans (1860–1926)
- John Hutchinson, contributor to South African botany (1884–1972)
- Nkosi Johnson, child who died of AIDS (1989–2001)
- Isabel Jean Jones, consumer advocate journalist (died 2008)
- Sandra Laing, victim of racial classification (born 1955)
- Paul Lloyd Jr, first South African wrestler to wrestle in WWE, son of successful SA wrestling promoter Paul Lloyd (born 1981)
- Breaker Morant, Boer War soldier (1864–1902)
- Napoléon Eugène, last of Napoleons who died in Zulu war (1856–1879)
- Hector Pieterson, 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)
- Adam Tas, colonial activist (1668–1722)
- Taung Child, homonid 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)
See also
- List of Xhosa people
- List of Zulus
- List of people by nationality
- SABC3's Great South Africans, a television program listing the 100 greatest South Africans as voted for by viewers
- List of White Africans
- They shaped our century, a survey by Media24 in 1999 about 100 most influential South Africans (and people associated with South Africa) of the twentieth century
References
- ↑ "Jewish Report : Lieberman being sidelined as Israeli foreign minister" (PDF). Sajr.co.za. 10 July 2009. Retrieved 2017-01-25.
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