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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, magazine editor (born 1975) * Laurence Gandar, 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,

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, 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 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, 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, journalist and broadcaster (born 1978) * Eric Lloyd Williams, 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, actress (born 1974) * Pallance Dladla, actor (born 1992) * Lillian Dube, South African actress (born 1945) * Vinette Ebrahim, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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 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, 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), 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, 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 Robert Marawa (born March 1, 1973) is a sports journalist, radio and television presenter. Education He attended Hilton College near Pietermaritzburg and the University of the Witwatersrand The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg ...

, sports journalist, television and radio personality (born 1973) *

Megan McKenzie Megan McKenzie (born 1 January 1980) is a South African model. She has been voted South Africa's sexiest woman by readers of ''FHM'' in 2003, ranking behind only Halle Berry Halle Maria Berry (; born Maria Halle Berry; August 14, 1966) ...

, model (born 1980) *

Trevor Noah Trevor Noah (born 20 February 1984) is a South African-born comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and former television host. He was the host of ''The Daily Show'', an American late-night talk show and satirical news progra ...

, comedian, actor, radio- and television host (born 1984) *

Debora Patta Debora Patta (born 1 September 1964) is a South African broadcast journalist and television producer investigative journalist. She was born in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and has origins from Calabria, Italy. Patta is the Africa correspon ...

, broadcast journalist and television producer (born 1964) * Tanit Phoenix, ''

Sports Illustrated ''Sports Illustrated'' (''SI'') is an American sports magazine first published in August 1954. Founded by Stuart Scheftel, it was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the National Magazine Award for General Excellence twi ...

'' model and actress (born 1984) *

Lunga Shabalala Lunga Shabalala (born 22 May 1989), is a South African actor, TV presenter and model. He rose to fame as a presenter on the SABC 1 entertainment and variety TV show, ''Selimathunzi''. He got his first acting role on the soap opera '' The River, ...

, TV presenter, model and actor (born 1989) *

Linda Sibiya Linda Sibiya is a retired South African radio DJ, entrepreneur and radio producer and television producer best known as a host on Ukhozi FM. Sibiya was born and raised in EShowe, North of KwaZulu-Natal. He made his acting debut in award-winning f ...

, radio personality, radio producer, television host, television producer and broadcaster. *

Troye Sivan Troye Sivan Mellet ( ; born 5 June 1995) is an Australian singer-songwriter, actor and YouTuber. After gaining popularity as a singer on YouTube and in Australian talent competitions, Sivan signed with EMI Australia in 2013 and released his thi ...

, YouTube personality, actor and singer (born 1995) *

Reeva Steenkamp Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp (; 19 August 1983 – 14 February 2013) was a South African model and paralegal. She modeled for ''FHM'' magazine and was the first face of Avon cosmetics in South Africa. Steenkamp once worked as the live roaming presen ...

, model (1983–2013) *

Candice Swanepoel Candice Susan Swanepoel (; ; born 20 October 1988) is a South African model and philanthropist. She is known for her work with Victoria's Secret. She became a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2010. In 2016, she was listed 8th on the ''Forbes'' top-ea ...

Victoria's Secret Victoria's Secret is an American lingerie, clothing, and beauty retailer known for high visibility marketing and branding, starting with a popular catalog and followed by an annual fashion show with supermodels dubbed Angels. As the largest ...

model (born 1988) * Charlize Theron, actress, film producer (born 1975) *

Lesego Tlhabi Lesego Tlhabi (born 13 December 1988) is a South African writer and comedian best known for creating the character Coconut Kelz. Early life Tlhabi's parents, Brian Tlhabi and Penny Osiris, were both doctors. She was born in 1988, in the last yea ...

, 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 Eddie Makhosonke Zondi (9 October 1967 - 16 June 2014) was a South African radio personality and music composer. Eddie was known for his Sunday afternoon show ''The Romantic Repertoire'' on Metro FM as well as his well-received Sunday Soul ses ...

, radio personality and music composer (1967–2014)

Visual Artists

Cartoonists

T.O. Honiball Thomas Ochse Honiball (1905–1990) was a well known South African cartoon artist. T.O. Honiball (as he was commonly referred to) was born on 7 December 1905 in Cradock, Eastern Cape, Cradock, Cape Colony. Honiball attended the well known high sc ...

, 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 Ronald Harrison (18 March 1940 – 28 June 2011) was a South African artist most well known for his thought provoking 1962 painting ''Black Christ''. Life Harrison was born on 18 March 1940 to Jeanette and William Harrison in Athlone and he alw ...

, painter (1940–2011) *

William Kentridge William Kentridge (born 28 April 1955) is a South African artist best known for his prints, drawings, and animated films, especially noted for a sequence of hand-drawn animated films he produced during the 1990s. The latter are constructed by ...

, painter (born 1955) *

Maggie Laubser Maria Magdalena Laubser (; 14 April 1886 – 17 May 1973) was a South African painter and printmaker. She is generally considered, along with Irma Stern, to be responsible for the introduction of Expressionism to South Africa. Her work was ini ...

, painter (1886–1973) *

Neville Lewis Alfred Neville Lewis (1895–1972) was a South African artist. He was born in Cape Town, Cape Colony, and educated there and, later, at the Slade School of Art in London. His father was the Reverend A. J. S. Lewis, who was Mayor of Cape Town ...

, artist (1895–1972) *

Esther Mahlangu Esther Mahlangu (born 11 November 1935) is a South African artist. She is known for her bold large-scale contemporary paintings that reference her Ndebele heritage. She is one of South Africa's best known artists. Early life Esther Nikwambi Mah ...

, 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 Cecil Skotnes (1 June 1926 – 4 April 2009) was a prominent South African artist. He was born in East London in 1926, studied drawing in Florence, Italy, the Witwatersrand Technical Art School and then the University of the Witwatersrand. ...

, painter (1926–2009) *

Irma Stern Irma Stern (2 October 1894 – 23 August 1966) was a major South African artist who achieved national and international recognition in her lifetime. Life Stern was born in Schweizer-Reneke, a small town in the Transvaal, of German-Jewish pa ...

, painter (1894–1966) * Vladimir Tretchikoff, painter (1913–2006)

Photographers

Kevin Carter Kevin Carter (13 September 1960 – 27 July 1994) was a South African photojournalist and member of the Bang-Bang Club. He was the recipient in 1994 of a Pulitzer Prize for his photograph depicting the 1993 famine in Sudan. He died by sui ...

(1961–1994) * Ernest Cole (1940–1990) * Caroline Gibello (born 1974) *

David Goldblatt David Goldblatt HonFRPS (29 November 1930 – 25 June 2018) was a South African photographer noted for his portrayal of South Africa during the period of apartheid.Weinberg, Paul.David Goldblatt: Photographer Who Found the Human in an Inhuman ...

, photographer (1930–2018) *

Bob Gosani Bob Gosani (1934–1972) was a South African photographer. Career Gosani started off at '' Drum'' magazine as a messenger but soon moved to the photographic department where he became Jürgen Schadeberg's darkroom assistant. He later became one ...

(1934–1972) *

Alf Kumalo Alfred Khumalo (5 September 193021 October 2012), better known as Alf Kumalo, was a South African documentary photographer and photojournalist. Overview Kumalo was born in Utrecht near Newcastle in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. He first worked ...

(1930–2012) *

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

Sculptors

* Anton van Wouw (1862–1945)

Performance Artists

* Steven Cohen (born 1962) * Tracey Rose (born 1974)

Architects

Herbert Baker Sir Herbert Baker (9 June 1862 – 4 February 1946) was an English architect remembered as the dominant force in South African architecture for two decades, and a major designer of some of New Delhi's most notable government structures. He wa ...

(1862–1946) *

Gerard Moerdijk Gerard Leendert Pieter Moerdijk (Zwaershoek farm near Nylstroom, Transvaal, 4 March 1890 – Nylstroom, 29 March 1958), also known as Gerard Moerdyk, was a South African architect best known for designing the Voortrekker Monument in Preto ...

(1890–1958)

Business

* Raymond Ackerman, businessman (born 1931) * Barney Barnato, mining magnate (1852–1897) * Roelof Botha, venture capitalist and company director (born 1973) * David Brink, businessman (born 1939) * John Fairbairn, founder of Mutual Life (1794–1864) * Vanessa Gounden, South Africa's richest businesswoman (born 1961) *

Morris Kahn Morris Kahn (born 5 March 1930) is an Israeli billionaire entrepreneur. He is the founder of Golden Pages Israel, Amdocs, the Aurec Group, Coral World and other companies. Through Coral World, he founded several marine parks around the world, ...

, Israeli billionaire, founder and chairman of Aurec Group (born 1930) *

Sol Kerzner Solomon Kerzner, (23 August 1935 – 21 March 2020) was a South African accountant and business magnate. He founded both of South Africa's largest hotel groups, the Southern Sun Hotel Group and Sun International. He was also the Founder, Chair ...

, 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 Sammy is a nickname, frequently for people named Samuel, and also an English spelling of the Arabic name Sami. People Music * Sammy Adams (born 1987), American rapper and songwriter *Sammy Cahn (1913-1993), American songwriter *Sammy Davis Jr. ...

, businessman (1844–1920) * Nthato Motlana, prominent South African businessman, physician and anti-apartheid activist (1925–2008) *

Bridgette Motsepe Bridgette Radebe (née Motsepe) is a South African businesswoman of Tswana descent and the sister of South African businessman Patrice Motsepe and First Lady of South Africa Tshepo Motsepe. Career She was born on 26 February 1960.Patrice Motsepe Patrice Tlhopane Motsepe (born 28 January 1962) is a South African mining billionaire businessman. Since 12 March 2021, he has been serving as the President of the Confederation of African Football. He is the founder and executive chairman of ...

, businessman (born 1962) *

Elon Musk Elon Reeve Musk ( ; born June 28, 1971) is a business magnate and investor. He is the founder, CEO and chief engineer of SpaceX; angel investor, CEO and product architect of Tesla, Inc.; owner and CEO of Twitter, Inc.; founder of The ...

, Internet and space launch entrepreneur (born 1971) * Phiwa Nkambule, Co-founder and CEO of

Riovic Riovic Capital Group, or simply Riovic, is a financial technology company and private equity holding company that provides a platform that lets private companies discover private equity funds, raise capital, manage their capitalization tables ...

, founder of Cybatar (born 1992) *

Harry Oppenheimer Harry Frederick Oppenheimer (28 October 1908 – 19 August 2000) was a prominent South African businessman, industrialist and philanthropist. Oppenheimer was often ranked as one of the wealthiest people in the world, and was considered South A ...

, businessman (1908–2000) *

William G. Pietersen Willie Pietersen (born 1937) is an international businessman, author, and professor at Columbia University. William Gerard Pietersen was born in East London, South Africa, on Sept. 24, 1937 to Willem Gerhardus DuPlessis Pietersen and Hester Jac ...

, international businessman, CEO, author, professor (born 1937) * Charles Purdon, agricultural pioneer (1838–1926) *

Mamphela Ramphele Mamphela Aletta Ramphele (; born 28 December 1947) is a South African politician, an activist against apartheid, a medical doctor, an academic and businesswoman. She was a partner of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko, with whom she had two chil ...

, political activist, academic, businesswoman and mother to the son of Steve Biko (born 1947) *

Cyril Ramaphosa Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa (born 17 November 1952) is a South African businessman and politician who is currently serving as the fifth democratically elected president of South Africa. Formerly an anti-apartheid activist, trade union leader, and ...

, politician and businessman (born 1952) * George Rex, pioneer entrepreneur of the Southern Cape (1765–1839) * Cecil Rhodes, businessman (1853–1902) *

Anton Rupert Anthony Edward Rupert (4 October 1916 – 18 January 2006) was a South African businessman, philanthropist, and conservationist. He was born and raised in the small town of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape. He studied in Pretoria and ultimate ...

, businessman and conservationist (1916–2006) *

Johann Rupert Johann Peter Rupert (born 1 June 1950) is a South African billionaire businessman, who is the eldest son of business tycoon Anton Rupert and his wife Huberte. He is the chairman of the Swiss-based luxury-goods company Richemont and the South Af ...

, businessman, son of Anton Rupert (born 1950) *

Tokyo Sexwale Mosima Gabriel "Tokyo" Sexwale (; born 5 March 1953) is a South African businessman, politician, anti-apartheid activist, and former political prisoner. Sexwale was imprisoned on Robben Island for his anti-apartheid activities, alongside figur ...

, politician and businessman (born 1953) *

Mark Shuttleworth Mark Richard Shuttleworth (born 18 September 1973) is a South African and British entrepreneur who is the founder and CEO of Canonical, the company behind the development of the Linux-based Ubuntu operating system. In 2002, Shuttleworth became ...

, web entrepreneur, founder of Thawte and Ubuntu Linux,

space tourist Space tourism is human space travel for recreational purposes. There are several different types of space tourism, including orbital, suborbital and lunar space tourism. During the period from 2001 to 2009, seven space tourists made eight s ...

(born 1973) * Nicky Newton-King, first female CEO of JSE from 2012 to 2019 (born 1966)

Legal, police and military

Lourens Ackermann Lourens Wepener Hugo "Laurie" Ackermann (b 14 January 1934) is a former justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, where he served from 1994 to 2004. Ackermann was born in Pretoria, South Africa and he matriculated from Pretoria Boys Hig ...

, constitutional court judge (born 1934) * Ismail Ayob, lawyer (born 1942) * Vernon Berrangé, human rights advocate (1900–1983) *

George Bizos George Bizos ( el, Γιώργος Μπίζος; 14 November 19279 September 2020) was a Greek-South African human rights lawyer who campaigned against apartheid in South Africa. He was noted for representing Nelson Mandela during the Rivonia ...

, lawyer (1927–2020) *

Louis Botha Louis Botha (; 27 September 1862 – 27 August 1919) was a South African politician who was the first prime minister of the Union of South Africa – the forerunner of the modern South African state. A Boer war hero during the Second Boer War, ...

, 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 Annie Botha ( Emmett; 3 July 1864 – 20 May 1937) was a South African civic leader and political hostess. She was the wife of Louis Botha, who served as the first Prime Minister of South Africa. She established an orphanage in South Africa an ...

, philanthropist and civic leader, wife of Louis Botha *

Arthur Chaskalson Arthur Chaskalson SCOB, (24 November 1931 – 1 December 2012) was President of the Constitutional Court of South Africa from 1994 to 2001 and Chief Justice of South Africa from 2001 to 2005. Chaskalson was a member of the defence team in the ...

, judge (1931–2012) *

Piet Cronjé Pieter Arnoldus "Piet" Cronjé (4 October 1836 – 4 February 1911) was a South African Boer general during the Anglo-Boer Wars of 1880–1881 and 1899–1902. Biography Born in the Cape Colony but raised in the South African Republic, C ...

, 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 A Chief Scout is the principal or head scout for an organization such as the military, colonial administration or expedition or a talent scout in performing, entertainment or creative arts, particularly sport. In sport, a Chief Scout can be the prin ...

of the Boy Scouts of South Africa, Vice-Chairman of the Africa Scout Committee, and South African

World Scout Committee The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM ) is the largest international Scouting organization. WOSM has 173 members. These members are recognized national Scout organizations, which collectively have around 43 million participants. WOSM ...

(1933–2014) *

Koos de la Rey Jacobus Herculaas de la Rey (22 October 1847 – 15 September 1914), better known as Koos de la Rey, was a South African military officer who served as a Boer general during the Second Boer War. also had a political career and was one of the l ...

, 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 Johannes Christiaan de Wet (1912–1990) was South Africa's most influential jurist and teacher of law.Zimmermann, p. 168. Biography Born as a farmer's son in the Orange Free State, he studied law at Stellenbosch, attaining doctorates there a ...

, legal academic (1912–1990) *

Bram Fischer Abraham Louis Fischer (23 April 1908 – 8 May 1975) was a South African Communist lawyer of Afrikaner descent, notable for anti-apartheid activism and for the legal defence of anti-apartheid figures, including Nelson Mandela, at the Rivonia T ...

, advocate QC and political activist (1908–1975) *

Richard Goldstone Richard Joseph Goldstone (born 26 October 1938) is a South African former judge. After working for 17 years as a commercial lawyer, he was appointed by the South African government to serve on the Transvaal Supreme Court from 1980 to 1989 and ...

, 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 (born 1937) * Joel Joffe, Baron Joffe, CBE lawyer and Labour peer in the

House of Lords The House of Lords, also known as the House of Peers, is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Membership is by appointment, heredity or official function. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminste ...

(1932–2017) * Pius Langa, former chief justice of constitutional court (1939–2013) *

Magnus Malan General Magnus André de Merindol Malan (30 January 1930 – 18 July 2011) was a South African military figure and politician during the last years of apartheid in South Africa. He served respectively as Minister of Defence in the cabinet of P ...

, minister of defence and chief of the South African Defence Force (1930–2011) *

Cecil Margo Cecil Stanley Margo , Queen's Counsel, QC, FRAS (born 10 July 1915, Johannesburg, Transvaal Province, Transvaal, Union of South Africa, died 19 November 2000, Johannesburg, Gauteng) was a South African citizenship, South African Supreme Court Jus ...

, judge (1915–2000) *

Richard Mdluli Lieutenant General Richard Naggie Mdluli (born May 1958) was the head of Police Crime Intelligence in South Africa from 2009 to 2012. He was replaced by Chris Ngcobo. He was dismissed from the South African Police Service on 17 January 2018. On ...

, head of Police Crime Intelligence (born 1958) *

Dunstan Mlambo Dunstan Mlambo (born c. 1960) is Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court of South Africa. Since 2002 he has also served as the chairperson of Legal Aid South Africa which provides legal aid to those who cannot afford it, and is ...

, Judge President of the

Gauteng Division The Gauteng Division of the High Court of South Africa is a superior court of law which has general jurisdiction over the South African province of Gauteng and the eastern part of North West province. The main seat of the division is at Pretoria, ...

of the

High Court of South Africa The High Court of South Africa is a superior court of law in South Africa. It is divided into nine provincial divisions, some of which sit in more than one location. Each High Court division has general jurisdiction over a defined geographical ...

(born 1960) * Mogoeng Mogoeng,

Chief Justice of South Africa The Chief Justice of South Africa is the most senior judge of the Constitutional Court and head of the judiciary of South Africa, who exercises final authority over the functioning and management of all the courts. The position of Chief Justice ...

(born 1961) * Yvonne Mokgoro, former justice of the

Constitutional Court A constitutional court is a high court that deals primarily with constitutional law. Its main authority is to rule on whether laws that are challenged are in fact unconstitutional, i.e. whether they conflict with constitutionally established ...

of South Africa (born 1950) * Phetogo Molawa, first black female helicopter pilot in the

South African Air Force "Through hardships to the stars" , colours = , colours_label = , march = , mascot = , anniversaries = , equipment ...

and the

South African National Defence Force The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) comprises the armed forces of South Africa. The commander of the SANDF is appointed by the President of South Africa from one of the armed services. They are in turn accountable to the Minister ...

Sandile Ngcobo Sandile Ngcobo (born 1 March 1953) is former justice in the Constitutional Court of South Africa. He served as Chief Justice from 2009 to 2011. In 2017, the Southern African Public Law journal published a special issue in volume 32 of the jou ...

, former Chief Justice of South Africa (born 1953) *

Bulelani Ngcuka Bulelani T. Ngcuka (pronounced ; born 2 May 1954) is a South African attorney, prosecutor and activist, who served as the first Director of Public Prosecutions in South Africa, and is the husband of former Deputy President of South Africa Phumz ...

, 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 Barry Roux SC (born 21 November 1955) is a South African lawyer who was admitted to the bar in 1982. His practice covers criminal, insurance, delictual, aviation, matrimonial, medical negligence, general contractual and liquidation work. He se ...

, defence advocate who has represented Oscar Pistorius, Dave King and

Lothar Neethling General Lothar Paul Neethling (29 August 1935, East Prussia – 11 July 2005) was chief deputy commissioner ( second-in-command) of the South African Police in the apartheid era. A highly qualified scientist, General Neethling was alleged to h ...

(born 1955) *

Albie Sachs Albert "Albie" Louis Sachs (born 30 January 1935) is a South African lawyer, activist, writer, and former judge appointed to the first Constitutional Court of South Africa by Nelson Mandela. Early life and education Albie Sachs was born on ...

, justice in constitutional court (born 1935) * Harry Heinz Schwarz, lawyer (1924–2010) *

Jackie Selebi Jacob "Jackie" Sello Selebi (7 March 195023 January 2015) was the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service from January 2000 to January 2008, when he was put on extended leave and charged with corruption. He was also a former Pre ...

, national commissioner of police (1950–2015) *

Thembile Skweyiya Thembile Skweyiya (17 June 1939 – 1 September 2015) was brother of Zola Skweyiya and he was a South African Constitutional Court judge from 2003 to 2014. Skweyiya attended primary school in Cape Town, but later attended boarding school at the H ...

South African Constitutional Court The Constitutional Court of South Africa is a supreme court, supreme constitutional court established by the Constitution of South Africa, and is the apex court in the South African judicial system, with general jurisdiction. The Court was fi ...

judge (1939–2015) *

Percy Sonn Percival Henry Frederick Sonn (25 September 1949 - 27 May 2007) was a South African lawyer and cricket administrator. Sonn became the sixth president of the International Cricket Council, the most senior role at cricket's world governing body, i ...

, 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 Percy Yutar (29 July 1911 – 13 July 2002) was a lawyer who became South Africa's first Jewish attorney-general. He is most noted as the state prosecutor in the Rivonia trial in which anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela and seven others were c ...

, 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 Elizabeth Adriana Abrahams (19 September 1925 – 17 December 2008) was a South African political activist and trade unionist who participated actively in the struggle against apartheid. Born in the Paarl Valley area of Western Cape Province, So ...

, political activist and trade unionist (1925–2008) *

Zackie Achmat Abdurrazack "Zackie" Achmat (born 21 March 1962) is a South African activist and film director. He is a co-founder the Treatment Action Campaign and known worldwide for his activism on behalf of people living with HIV and AIDS in South Africa. ...

, AIDS activist (born 1962) *

Neil Aggett Neil Aggett (6 October 1953 – 5 February 1982) was a doctor and trade union organiser who was killed, while in detention, by the Security Branch of the Apartheid South African Police Service after being held for 70 days without trial. Life a ...

, 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 Abu Baker Asvat () (23 February 1943 – 27 January 1989), also known as Abu Asvat or Abu nicknamed ''Hurley'' was a South African medical doctor who practised in Soweto in the 1970s and 1980s. A founding member of Azapo, Asvat was the head of ...

, founding member of Azapo (1943–1989) * Zainab Asvat, South African anti-apartheid activist (1920–2013) *

Frances Baard Frances Goitsemang Baard (1 October 1909 – 1997) was a South African (ethnic Tswana) trade unionist, organiser for the African National Congress Women's League and a Patron of the United Democratic Front, who was commemorated in the renaming ...

, 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 The South African Communist Party (SACP) is a communist party in South Africa. It was founded in 1921 as the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA), tactically dissolved itself in 1950 in the face of being declared illegal by the governing Na ...

and wife to Hymie Barsel (1924–2008) * Hymie Barsel, South African activist (1920–1987) * Jeremy Baskin, trade unionist (born 1956) *

Jean Bernadt Jean Bernadt (née Alkin) (19 May 1914 – 9 April 2011) was a South African anti-apartheid activist. She was an active member of the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA), the Congress of Democrats, the Federation of South African Women and th ...

, anti-apartheid activist (1914–2011) *

Lionel Bernstein Lionel "Rusty" Bernstein (20 March 1920 – 23 June 2002) was a Jewish South African anti-apartheid activist and political prisoner. He played a key role in political organizations such as the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the Africa ...

, anti-apartheid activist and political prisoner (1920–2002) * Edward Bhengu, founder member of the PAC (1934–2010) *

Sibusiso Bengu Sibusiso Mandlenkosi Emmanuel Bengu (b 8 May 1934) is a South African retired politician. Bengu was born in Kranskop, Natal and become a teacher in 1952. Sibusiso founded the Dlangezwa High School near Empangeni in 1969 and was principal until ...

, politician (born 1934) * Steve Biko,

nonviolent Nonviolence is the personal practice of not causing harm to others under any condition. It may come from the belief that hurting people, animals and/or the environment is unnecessary to achieve an outcome and it may refer to a general philosoph ...

political activist (1946–1977) *

Sonia Bunting Sonia Bunting, OLS (9 December 1922 – 24 March 2001) was a South African journalist, and a political and anti-apartheid activist. After being charged with treason and imprisoned, being detained a second time, and barred from publishing, she a ...

, journalist, political and anti-apartheid activist (1922–2001) *

Amina Cachalia Amina Cachalia, OLB (née Asvat; 28 June 1930 – 31 January 2013) was a South African anti-Apartheid activist, women's rights activist, and politician. She was a longtime friend and ally of former President Nelson Mandela. Her late husband wa ...

, 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 The African National Congress (ANC) is a social-democratic political party in South Africa. A liberation movement known for its opposition to apartheid, it has governed the country since 1994, when the first post-apartheid election install ...

(1908–2003) *

Fort Calata Fort Calata (5 November 1956 – 27 June 1985) was a South African anti-apartheid activist and one of The Cradock Four murdered by the South African police in 1985. Early life Fort Calata was born on 5 November 1956. He is the grandson of Jame ...

, political activist and one of

The Cradock Four image:Funeral of the Cradock Four.jpg, upright=1.35, Funeral of the Cradock Four. Photo taken by Gille de Vlieg The Cradock Four were a group of four anti-apartheid activists who were abducted and murdered by South African security police in June ...

(1956–1985) *

James Calata James Arthur Calata (1895 – 1983) was a South African priest and politician. He was the Secretary-General of the African National Congress from 1936 to 1949. He was appointed a canon of the Grahamstown Cathedral making him the first Black c ...

, political activist and ANC secretary (1895–1983) * Collins Chabane, South African

Minister of Public Service and Administration The Minister of Public Service and Administration is a Minister in the Cabinet of South Africa. As of April 2022, the Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi, has been acting in the position following Minister Ayanda Dlodlo's resignat ...

(1960–2015) *

Laloo Chiba Ishwarlal Laloo "Isu" Chiba (5 November 1930 – 8 December 2017) was a South African politician and revolutionary. He was arrested and sentenced at the Little Rivonia Trial in 1964 with Mac Maharaj and Wilton Mkwayi to join Nelson Mandela, Walter ...

, South African politician and revolutionary (1930–2017) * Yusuf Mohamed Dadoo, South African Communist and an anti-apartheid activist (1909–1983) *

Eddie Daniels Eddie Daniels (born October 19, 1941) is an American musician and composer. Although he is best known as a jazz clarinetist, he has also played saxophone and flute as well as classical music on clarinet. Early life, family and education Daniel ...

, anti-apartheid activist (1928–2017) *

Nosipho Dastile Nosipho Dastile (1938–2009) was a community and anti-Apartheid activist in the small town of Uitenhage, just outside Port Elizabeth. She was elected councillor under the banner of what was then the new democratically constituted Uitenhage Transit ...

, community and anti-Apartheid activist (1938–2009) *

Sophia De Bruyn Sophia Theresa Williams-de Bruyn (born 1938) is a former South African anti-apartheid activist. She was the first recipient of the Women's Award for exceptional national service. She is the last living leader of the Women's March. Early life S ...

, political activist (born 1938) * Amina Desai, political prisoner (1920–2009) *

Lilian Diedericks Lilian Diedericks (17 December 1925 in Port Elizabeth, Red Location – 21 December 2021 in Port Elizabeth) was a South African activist known as a founding member of the Federation of South African Women. She was an active shop steward and co-f ...

, South African activist (1925–2021) * Bettie du Toit, trade unionist and anti-apartheid activist (1910–2002) *

Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim (1 July 19376 December 2021) was a South African anti-apartheid activist of Indian origin who was a member of the African National Congress's armed wing uMkhonto we Sizwe''.'' He was tried in the Pietermaritzburg sabotag ...

, South African anti-apartheid activist (1937–2021) *

Colin Eglin Colin Wells Eglin (14 April 1925 – 29 November 2013) was a South African politician best known for having served as national leader of the opposition from 1977–79 and 1986–87. He represented Sea Point in the South African Parliament from 19 ...

, South African politician (1925–2013) *

Farid Esack Farid Esack (born 1955 in Wynberg, Cape Town) is a South African Muslim scholar, writer, and political activist known for his opposition to apartheid, his appointment by Nelson Mandela as a gender equity commissioner, and his work for inter-r ...

, political activist and opposition to apartheid (born 1959) * Lucinda Evans, women's right activist (born 1972) *

Ruth First Heloise Ruth First (4 May 1925 – 17 August 1982) was a South African anti- apartheid activist and scholar. She was assassinated in Mozambique, where she was working in exile, by a parcel bomb built by South African police. Family and ed ...

, 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 Irene Grootboom (c. 1969 – 2008) was a South African housing rights activist best known for her victory before the Constitutional Court in 2000. The Court found that the government had not met its obligation to provide adequate alternative hous ...

, housing rights activist (c. 1969–2008) *

Denis Goldberg Denis Theodore Goldberg (11 April 1933 – 29 April 2020) was a South African social campaigner, who was active in the struggle against apartheid. He was accused No. 3 in the Rivonia Trial, alongside the better-known Nelson Mandela and Walter ...

, political activist (1933–2020) *

Arthur Goldreich Arthur Goldreich (25 December 1929 – 24 May 2011) was a South African-Israeli abstract painter and a key figure in the anti-apartheid movement in the country of his birth and a critic of the form of Zionism practiced in Israel. Early life Gold ...

, abstract painter and anti-apartheid (1929–2011) *

John Gomomo Phumzile John Gomomo (25 October 1945 – 22 January 2008) was South African Unionist and activist. Background and career Phumzile John Gomomo was born on a farm in Adelaide on 25 October 1945, one of seven children born to the late Ndabeni (Mnz ...

, South African Unionist and activist (1945–2008) *

Matthew Goniwe Matthew Goniwe (27 December 1947 – 27 June 1985) was a South African anti-apartheid activist and one of The Cradock Four murdered by the South African police in 1985. Early years Goniwe was the youngest of eight children. His parents, David a ...

, 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 Themba Harry Gwala (30 July 1920 – 20 June 1995) was a revolutionary leader in the African National Congress (ANC) and South African Communist Party (SACP) in South Africa. Biography Early career and activism Harry Gwala trained as a teac ...

, revolutionary leader in the

and

(1920–1995) * Nkululeko Gwala, prominent member of the shackdwellers' social movement

Abahlali baseMjondolo Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM, , in English: "the residents of the shacks") is a socialist shack dwellers' movement in South Africa which organises land occupations, builds communes

(died 2013) *

Alcott Skei Gwentshe Alcott Skwenene 'Skei' Gwentshe (1920 – 27 October 1966) was a shopkeeper, musician and political activist who helped establish an African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) branch in East London. He was among the political activists bani ...

, shopkeeper and political activist (died 1966) *

Bertha Gxowa Bertha Gxowa (née Mashaba November 26, 1934 - November 19, 2010) was an anti-apartheid and women's rights activist and trade unionist in South Africa. Biography Gxowa was born in Germiston. She first started working as an office assistant in th ...

, anti-apartheid, women's rights activist and trade unionist (1934–2010) *

Chris Hani Chris Hani (28 June 1942 – 10 April 1993), born Martin Thembisile Hani , was the leader of the South African Communist Party and chief of staff of uMkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC). He was a fierce ...

, political activist (1942–1993) * Harold Hanson, politician and advocate (1904–1973) *

Frederick John Harris Frederick John Harris (4 July 1937 – 1 April 1965) (known as John Harris) was a South African schoolteacher and anti-apartheid campaigner who turned to terrorism and was executed after a bomb attack on a railway station. He was Chairman of SANR ...

, South African schoolteacher and 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 Alexander Hepple (28 August 1904 – 16 November 1983) was a trade unionist, politician, anti-apartheid activist and author and was the last leader of the original South African Labour Party. Hepple was born in La Rochelle, a suburb of Johannes ...

, trade unionist, politician, anti-apartheid activist and author and the last leader of the original

South African Labour Party The South African Labour Party ( af, Suid-Afrikaanse Arbeidersparty), was a South African political party formed in March 1910 in the newly created Union of South Africa following discussions between trade unions, the Transvaal Independent Lab ...

(1904–1983) * Bob Hepple, political activist, leader in the fields of labour law, equality and human rights (1934–2015) *

Bavelile Gloria Hlongwa Bavelile Gloria Hlongwa (14 April 1981 – 13 September 2019) was a South Africa, South African chemical engineer and politician from KwaZulu-Natal and a party member of the African National Congress (ANC). She was the Cabinet of South Africa, De ...

, South African chemical engineer and politician (1981–2019) *

Bantu Holomisa Bantubonke Harrington Holomisa (born 25 July 1955) is a South African Member of Parliament and President of the United Democratic Movement. Holomisa was born in Mqanduli, Cape Province. He joined the Transkei Defence Force in 1976 and had b ...

, political activist (born 1955) * Timothy Peter Jenkin, anti-apartheid activist, political prisoner and writer (born 1948) *

Helen Joseph Helen Beatrice Joseph (''née'' Fennell) (8 April 1905 – 25 December 1992) was a South African anti-apartheid activist. Born in Sussex, England, Helen graduated with a degree in English from the University of London in 1927 and then departe ...

, anti-apartheid activist (1905–1992) * Mthuli ka Shezi, South African playwright, political activist (1947–1972) *

James Kantor James Kantor (26 February 1927 – 2 February 1974) was a South African lawyer and writer. James Kantor was born in Johannesburg to a Jewish family. A prominent Johannesburg lawyer in the 1950s, Kantor was attorney for Nelson Mandela and im ...

, politician, lawyer and writer (1927–1974) *

Ahmed Kathrada Ahmed Mohamed Kathrada (21 August 1929 – 28 March 2017), sometimes known by the nickname "Kathy", was a South African politician and anti-apartheid activist. Kathrada's involvement in the anti-apartheid activities of the African National Con ...

, political activist (1929–2017) *

Philip Kgosana Philip Ata Kgosana (Born in now Makapanstad, North West, South Africa 12 October 1936 – 19 April 2017) was a leader of the Pan Africanist Congress in South Africa, and was known for leading a march at the age of 23 on 30 March 1960, where 30,00 ...

, political activist (1936–2017) * Winnie Kgware, anti-Apartheid activist (1917–1998) * Alice Kinloch (born 1863), human rights activist and writer *

Wolfie Kodesh Wolfie Kodesh (April 6, 1918 – October 18, 2002) was a South African Communist party activist. Kodesh was born in the Transvaal mining town of Benoni. He became involved with the South African Communist party in 1938, selling the leftwing news ...

, South African Communist party activist (1918–2002) *

Moses Kotane Moses Mauane Kotane (9 August 190519 May 1978) was a South African politician and activist. Kotane was secretary general of the South African Communist Party from 1939 until his death in 1978.

, anti-apartheid activist (1907–1978) *

Ashley Kriel Ashley Kriel (17th October , 1966 - July 9th , 1987) was a South African anti-apartheid activist who was killed by police in Cape Town on 9 July 1987 for his role in advocating anti-apartheid actions. In 1999, Jeffrey Benzien was granted an ...

, South African activist (1966–1987) * Duma Kumalo, South African human rights activist and one of the Sharpeville Six (died 2006) *

Dumisani Kumalo Dumisani Shadrack Kumalo (16 September 1947 – 20 January 2019) was a South African anti-apartheid activist and diplomat, who served as the Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations.Ellen Kuzwayo Nnoseng Ellen Kate Kuzwayo (29 June 1914 – 19 April 2006) was a women's rights activist and politician in South Africa, and was a teacher from 1938 to 1952. She was president of the African National Congress Youth League in the 1960s. In 19 ...

, political activist (1914–2006) * Lennox Lagu, political activist (1938—2011) * Stephen Bernard Lee, anti-apartheid and political prisoner (born 1951) * Anton Lembede, political activist (1914–1947) *

Moses Mabhida Moses Mncane Mbheki Mabhida (11 October 1923 – 8 March 1986) was a South African politician. Mabhida was leader of the South African Communist Party from 1978 until his death in 1986. Biography Mabhida was born in Thornville, Natal to a pe ...

, anti-apartheid activist (1923–1986) *

Phakamile Mabija Phakamile Mabija was an African anti-Apartheid activist who died while in police custody in 1977. Biography Phakamile Mabija lived in Vergenoeg, in the Northern Cape. As a member of the Anglican Church's NOMAD team, he was a delegate in the Nation ...

, anti-apartheid activist (died 1977) *

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (born Nomzamo Winifred Zanyiwe Madikizela; 26 September 1936 – 2 April 2018), also known as Winnie Mandela, was a South African anti-apartheid activist and politician, and the second wife of Nelson Mandela. She se ...

, political activist and former 2nd wife to Nelson Mandela (1936–2018) * Zacharias Richard Mahabane, political activist (1881–1971) *

Mac Maharaj Sathyandranath Ragunanan "Mac" Maharaj (born 22 April 1936 in Newcastle, Natal) is a retired South African politician affiliated with the African National Congress, academic and businessman of Indian origin. He was the official spokesperson ...

, political activist (born 1935) *

Solomon Mahlangu Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu (10 July 1956 – 6 April 1979) was a South African freedom fighter, struggle activist and operative of the African National Congress (ANC) militant wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). He was convicted of murder and hanged in ...

, Umkhonto we Sizwe operative (1956–1979) * Vusumzi Make, political activist (1931–2006) * Sefako Makgatho, political activist (1861–1951) *

Mbuyisa Makhubo Mbuyisa Makhubu (born 1957 or 1958) is a South African anti-Apartheid activist who disappeared in 1979. He was seen carrying Hector Pieterson in a photograph taken by Sam Nzima after Pieterson was shot during the Soweto Uprising in 1976. Despite t ...

, anti-Apartheid activist (born 1957/1958) * Clarence Makwetu, political activist (1928–2016) *

Adolph Malan Adolph Gysbert Malan, (3 October 1910 – 17 September 1963), better known as Sailor Malan, was a South African fighter pilot and flying ace in the Royal Air Force (RAF) who led No. 74 Squadron RAF during the Battle of Britain. He finished ...

, fighter pilot and civil rights activist (1910–1963) *

Zollie Malindi Zollie Malindi (1924 – 21 April 2008) was a South African trade unionist and anti-apartheid activist. His life journey started in the small village of Gqogqora, near Tsomo in the former Transkei. While growing up, Zollie became aware of racial ...

, political activist (1924–2008) * Nelson Mandela, political activist and first President of South Africa (1918–2013) *

Mosibudi Mangena Mosibudi Mangena (born 7 August 1947 in Tzaneen, Transvaal) is a South Africa politician, former President of the Azanian People's Organisation (AZAPO). He is also currently the honorary President of AZAPO while Strike Thokoane is the current Pr ...

, South Africa politician (born 1947) * Isaac Lesiba Maphotho, political activist (1931–2019) *

J. B. Marks J. B. Marks (21 March 1903 – 1 August 1972) joined the South African Communist Party (SACP) in 1928, at the age of 25.Roth, 2015, p. 200 He was sent to the Soviet Union for the first time in 1930, as a student at the Communist University of the ...

, politician activist (1903–1972) * Jafta Jeff Masemola, political activist (1929–1990) * Emma Mashinini, trade unionist and political leader (1929–2017) *

Tsietsi Mashinini Teboho "Tsietsi" MacDonald Mashinini (born 27 January 1957 – 1990) in Jabavu, Soweto, South Africa, died summer, 1990 in Conakry, Guinea), and buried Avalon Cemetery, was the main student leader of the Soweto Uprising that began in Soweto a ...

, South African anti-Apartheid activist and student leader of the Soweto uprising on 16 June 1976 (1957–1990) *

Joseph Mathunjwa Joseph Mathunjwa (born 26 May 1965) is the head of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU). Mathunjwa was born in Amathikulu, northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and his first job was as a Laboratory Attendant in 1986 at Ran ...

, Trade union leader and the head of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) (born 1965) * Florence Matomela, South African anti- pass law activist (1910–1969) * Joe Matthews, political activist and son of ZK Matthews (1929–2010) *

Z. K. Matthews Zachariah Keodirelang "ZK" Matthews (20 October 1901 – 11 May 1968) was a prominent black academic in South Africa, lecturing at South African Native College (renamed University of Fort Hare in 1955), where many future leaders of the African ...

, political activist (1901–1968) * Seth Mazibuko, youngest member of the South African Students' Organisation that planned and led the Soweto uprising *

Epainette Mbeki Nomaka Epainette Mbeki ( Moerane; 16 February 1916 – 7 June 2014), commonly known as "MaMbeki", a stalwart community activist and promoter of women's development, mother of former President of South Africa, Dr. Thabo Mbeki. and widow of politi ...

, political activist, mother of Thabo Mbeki and wife to Govan Mbeki (1916–2014) *

Govan Mbeki Govan Archibald Mvuyelwa Mbeki (9 July 1910 – 30 August 2001) was a South African politician, military commander, Communist leader who served as the Secretary of Umkhonto we Sizwe, at its inception in 1961. He was also the son of Chief Sike ...

, political activist and father of Thabo Mbeki (1910–2001) * Robert McBride, anti-apartheid assassin and later police chief (born 1963) * A. P. Mda, co-founder of the

African National Congress Youth League The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) is the youth wing of the African National Congress (ANC). As set out in its constitution, the ANC Youth League is led by a National Executive Committee (NEC) and a National Working Committee (NW ...

(ANCYL) and

Pan Africanist Congress of Azania The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (known as the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC)) is a South African national liberation Pan-Africanist movement that is now a political party. It was founded by an Africanist group, led by Robert Sobukwe, that ...

(1916–1993) * Fatima Meer, scientist and political activist (1928–2010) *

Raymond Mhlaba Raymond Mphakamisi Mhlaba (12 February 1920 – 20 February 2005) was an anti-apartheid activist, Communist and leader of the African National Congress (ANC) also as well the first premier of the Eastern Cape. Mhlaba spent 25 years of his life ...

, political activist and the former

Premier of the Eastern Cape The Premier of the Eastern Cape is the head of government of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The current Premier of the Eastern Cape is Oscar Mabuyane, a member of the African National Congress, who was elected in the 2019 election. ...

(1920–2005) *

Sicelo Mhlauli Sicelo Mhlauli (25 May 1949 – 27 June 1985) was a South African anti-apartheid activist, and one of The Cradock Four murdered by the South African police in 1985. Early life Sicelo Mhlauli was born on 25 May 1949 at Emagqomeni Location in Crado ...

, political activist and one of the Cradock four (1952–1985) * Jean Middleton, anti-apartheid activist and wife to Harold Strachan (1928–2010) *

Clarence Mini Clarence Mazwangwandile Mini (6 November 1951 – 12 May 2020) was a South African doctor, anti-apartheid activist, freedom fighter, human rights activist. Mini was regarded as a pioneer of the Health in South Africa, medical industry in South A ...

, anti-apartheid activist (1951–2020) *

Vuyisile Mini Vuyisile Mini (8 April 1920 – 6 November 1964) was a unionist, Umkhonto we Sizwe activist, singer and one of the first African National Congress members to be executed by apartheid South Africa. Early life Mini was born in 1920 in Tsomo i ...

, unionist and Umkhonto we Sizwe activist (1920–1964) *

Nomhlangano Beauty Mkhize Nomhlangano Beauty Mkhize was a South African activist, politician, shop steward and wife to late Saul Mkhize. She was born in Sophia Town and she was forcibly removed to Meadowlands in Soweto and that's where she met her husband. Early years ...

, political activist, shop steward and wife to Saul Mkhize (1946–1977) *

Sparrow Mkhonto Sparrow Mkonto (24 December 1951 – 27 June 1985) was a South African anti-apartheid activist, and one of The Cradock Four murdered by the South African police in 1985. Early life and education Sparrow Mkonto was born on 24 December 1951 in Bhon ...

, political activist and one of the Cradock four (1951–1985) *

Wilton Mkwayi Wilton Zimasile Mkwayi (17 December 1923 – 24 July 2004) was an African National Congress veteran and one of the first six members of Umkonto weSizwe to be sent for military training. Early life Wilton “Bri-Bri” Zimasile Mkwayi was born ...

, political activist (1923–2004) * Johnson Mlambo, political activist (1940–2021) *

Andrew Mlangeni Andrew Mokete Mlangeni (6 June 192521 July 2020), also known as Percy Mokoena, Mokete Mokoena, and Rev. Mokete Mokoena, was a South African political activist and anti-apartheid campaigner who, along with Nelson Mandela and others, was imprison ...

, political activist (1925–2020) *

Thamsanga Mnyele Thamsanqa (Thami) Mnyele (10 December 1948 – 14 June 1985) was a South African artist associated with the anti-apartheid politics of the African National Congress and the Black Consciousness Movement. His artistic career took off in the 1970s ...

, anti-apartheid (1948–1985) *

Billy Modise Billy Modise was an African National Congress (ANC) veteran and former ambassador. He was born on 18 December 1930 in Bloemfontein and died on 20 June 2018. Early life Billy Modise was born on 8 December 1930 in Bloemfontein, Orange Free State ...

, political activist (1930–2018) *

Joe Modise Johannes "Joe" Modise (23 May 1929 – 26 November 2001) was a South African political figure. He helped to found Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress, and was its longest serving Commander in Chief, deputis ...

, political activist (1929–2001) * Thabo Edwin Mofutsanyana, political activist (1899–1995) * Mapetla Mohapi, political activist (1947–1976) *

Yunus Mohamed Yunus "YM" Mohamed (sometimes ''Mahomed'') (12 June 1950 – 6 January 2008) was a South African lawyer and activist instrumental in founding the United Democratic Front (UDF).. Accessed 2008-01-24 Mohamed was born in Johannesburg to Amina a ...

, (sometimes Mahomed) South African lawyer and activist (1950–2008) *

Peter Mokaba Peter Mokaba, OLG (7 January 1959 – 9 June 2002) was a member of the South African parliament, deputy minister in the government of Nelson Mandela and president of the South African governing party's youth wing, the ANC Youth League. The P ...

, political activist (1959–2002) * Priscilla Mokaba, political activist and mother of Peter Mokaba (died 2013) *

Ruth Mompati Ruth Segomotsi Mompati (14 September 1925 – 12 May 2015) was a South African politician and a founding member of the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW) in 1954. Mompati was one of the leaders of the Women's March on 9 August 1956. E ...

, political activist (1925–2015) *

Moosa Moolla Moosa Moolla (born 12 June 1934) is an Indian South African activist and diplomat. A member of the African National Congress, Moolla was arrested and eventually found not guilty in the 1956 Treason Trial. In 1961, he was arrested and tried fo ...

, political activist (born 1934) * Rahima Moosa, anti-apartheid activist (1922–1993) *

James Moroka James Sebe Moroka, OLG (16 March 1891 – 10 November 1985) was a medical doctor and a politician, who was the president of the African National Congress 1949–1952.

, political activist (1891–1985) *

Zephania Mothopeng Zephania Lekoame Mothopeng (10 September 1913 – 23 October 1990) was a South African political activist and member of the Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC). Early life Mothopeng was born near Vrede in Free State, and he had five siblings. He ...

, political activist (1913–1990) * Nthato Motlana, physician and anti-apartheid activist (1925–2008) *

Caroline Motsoaledi Elias Mathope Motsoaledi (26 July 1924 – 9 May 1994) was a South African anti-apartheid activist and one of the eight men sentenced to life imprisonment at the Rivonia Trial in July 1963 and paternal uncle to South African politician and m ...

, political activist and wife to Elias Motsoaledi (died c.2015) *

Elias Motsoaledi Elias Mathope Motsoaledi (26 July 1924 – 9 May 1994) was a South African anti-apartheid activist and one of the eight men sentenced to life imprisonment at the Rivonia Trial in July 1963 and paternal uncle to South African politician and m ...

, political activist (1924–1994) *

James Mpanza James Mpanza (1889–1970) was a squatter camp leader in Johannesburg, South Africa from the mid-1940s until the late 1960s. In 1944 he led the land invasion that resulted in the founding of modern Soweto. Mpanza is known as 'the father of Sowe ...

, political activist (1889–1970) *

Oscar Mpetha Oscar Mafakafaka Mpetha was born in Mount Fletcher 5 August 1909 and died on 15 November 1994. He was a South African trade unionist and political activist. Personal life Mpetha was educated at local schools and at Adams College. In the 1930s, he ...

, political activist and unionist (1909–1994) * Griffiths Mxenge, anti-apartheid activist (1935–1981) *

Victoria Mxenge Victoria Nonyamezelo Mxenge (1 January 1942, in King William's Town, Eastern Cape – 1 August 1985, in Umlazi, Durban, Natal) was a South African anti-apartheid activist; she was trained as a nurse and midwife, and later began practising law. ...

, anti-apartheid activist (1942–1985) *

Monty Naicker Gangathura Mohambry Naicker (30 September 1910 – 12 January 1978) was a medical doctor and a South African anti-apartheid activist of Indian Tamil descent. Early life His father was a trader, exporting bananas. He studied in Durban at ''Ma ...

, South African anti-apartheid activist and medical doctor (1910–1978) *

Ama Naidoo Manonmoney Ama Naidoo OLS (née Pillay; 30 November 1908 – 25 December 1993) or Ama Naidoo was a South African anti-apartheid activist. Family and early life Naidoo was of South African Indian Tamil descent and was born in Asiatic Bazaar P ...

, 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,

national executive and the former South African Minister of Justice (Intelligence Affairs) (1936–2008) *

John Nkadimeng John Kgwana Nkadimeng (12 June 1927 – 6 August 2020) was a South African politician, anti-apartheid activist and South African ambassador in Cuba. Nkadimeng was awarded the Order of Luthuli in 2003 by President of South Africa, President Thabo ...

, politician and anti-apartheid activist (1927–2020) * Vernon Nkadimeng, political activist (1958–1985) *

Nkwenkwe Nkomo Nkwenkwe Nkomo of South Africa is the group deputy chairman of FCB SA, South Africa's largest marketing communication group, and chairperson of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) of South Africa. He also served as one of 12 elected vo ...

SASO nine The SASO/BPC trial, also known as the Black Consciousness trial, was an apartheid-era legal trial in South Africa which resulted in the conviction of nine Black Consciousness activists from the South African Students' Organisation (SASO) and ...

member *

William Frederick Nkomo William Frederick Nkomo (1915–1972) was a South African medical doctor, community leader, political activist and teacher from Pretoria. He was the founding chairman of the African National Congress Youth League. While at the University of the Wi ...

, medical doctor, community leader, political activist and teacher (1915–1972) *

Duma Nokwe Philemon Pearce Dumasile Nokwe (13 May 1927, Evaton – 12 January 1978), known as Duma Nokwe, was a South African political activist and legislator, and served as the Secretary-General of the African National Congress from 1958 to 1969. Educ ...

, political activist (1927–1978) * Jabulile Nyawose, trade unionist and anti-apartheid activist (died 1982) *

Alfred Nzo Alfred Baphethuxolo Nzo (19 June 1925 – 13 January 2000) was a South African politician. He served as the longest-standing secretary-general of the African National Congress. He occupied this position (ANC) between 1969 and 1991. He was also ...

, political activist (1925–2000) * Albert Nzula, political activist (1905–1934) *

Abdullah Mohamed Omar Abdullah Mohamed Omar (26 May 1934 – 13 March 2004), better known as Dullah Omar, was a South African anti-Apartheid activist, lawyer, and a Political minister, minister in the South African Cabinet (government), cabinet from 1994 until his d ...

, anti-Apartheid activist and lawyer (1934–2004) *

Roy Padayachie Radhakrishna Lutchmana "Roy" Padayachie (1 May 1950 – 5 May 2012) was the Minister of Public Service and Administration of the Republic of South Africa. He died in the early hours of 5 May 2012 in an Ethiopian hotel room, while on an offic ...

, politician and

of the Republic of South Africa (1950–2012) *

Aziz Pahad Dr. Aziz Pahad (born 25 December 1940) is a South African politician, who served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 2008, he currently serves as an MP for Johannesburg West Highlands. He is the brother of Essop Pahad. Education A ...

, political activist (born 1940) * Essop Pahad, political activist (born 1939) * Sabelo Phama, revolutionary (1949–1994) *

Motsoko Pheko Salzwedel Ernest "Motsoko" Pheko (born 13 November 1933) is a South African lawyer, author, historian, theologian, academic, and politician. Biography Born to a wealthy rural family in Lesotho on 13 November 1933, Pheko and his brother went to l ...

, 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 Matebello Magdeline Resha, also known as Maggie Resha (May 5, 1923 - September 2003) was a nurse as well as a member of the African National Congress and the African National Congress Women's League. She organized meetings for the adoption of th ...

, political activist and wife of Robert Resha (1923–2003) * Robert Resha, political activist (1920–1978) * Walter Rubusana, first deputy president of the

ANC The African National Congress (ANC) is a social-democratic political party in South Africa. A liberation movement known for its opposition to apartheid, it has governed the country since 1994, when the first post-apartheid election install ...

(1856–1936) *

, political activist (born 1935) *

Harry Schwarz Harry Heinz Schwarz (13 May 1924 – 5 February 2010) was a South African lawyer, statesman and long-time political opposition leader against apartheid in South Africa, who eventually served as the South African Ambassador to the United States ...

, South African lawyer, statesman and long-time political opposition leader against apartheid in South Africa (1924–2010) *

Jackie Sedibe Refiloe Jackie Phelile Florence Sedibe (born 1945) is a retired South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Major General. Sedibe was part of the African National Congress (ANC) prior to the end of apartheid and also a member of the uMkhonto we ...

, South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Major General and politician activist and wife to Joe Modise (born 1945) *

Molefi Sefularo Molefi Sefularo (9 July 1957 – 5 April 2010) was the Deputy Minister of Health of South Africa from 25 September 2008 until his death. The position of Deputy Minister of Health had been vacant since Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge was dismissed fr ...

, Deputy Minister of Health (1957–2010) *

James Seipei James Seipei (1974 – 1 January 1989), also known as Stompie Moeketsi or Stompie Sepei, was a teenage United Democratic Front (UDF) activist from Parys in South Africa. He and three other boys were kidnapped on 29 December 1988 by members of ...

, teenage United Democratic Front (UDF) activist (1974–1989) *

Nimrod Sejake Nimrod Sejake (8 August 1920 – 27 May 2004) was a labour leader in South Africa in the 1950s. He was a leading member of the Congress of South African Trade Unions, initially as secretary of the Iron Steel Workers, and became active in the Afr ...

, labour leader in South Africa, leading member of the

Congress of South African Trade Unions The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is a trade union federation in South Africa. It was founded in 1985 and is the largest of the country's three main trade union federations, with 21 affiliated trade unions.One Union expelled, ...

and secretary of the Iron Steel Workers (1920–2004) * Reggie September, activist (1923–2013) *

Gertrude Shope Gertrude Ntiti Shope (born 15 August 1925) is a South African former trade unionist and politician. Life and career Born in Johannesburg on 15 August 1925, Shope was raised and educated in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). She worked as a teacher ...

, South African trade unionist and politician (born 1925) *

Gert Sibande Richard "Gert" Sibande (born 1907 near Ermelo, Mpumalanga, died 1987) was a South African political activist. He was one of the ANC co-accused to stand trial in the treason trial of 1956-61 alongside Nelson Mandela and 154 others. Sibande played ...

, political activist (1907–1987) * Archie Sibeko, political activist and trade unionist (1928–2018) * David Sibeko, South Africa politician and journalist (1938–1979) *

Letitia Sibeko Letitia Sibeko (born 1930–N/A) was a South African anti-apartheid activist. She was member of the African National Congress, the ANC Women's League as well as the Federation of South African Women. She later joined the Communist Party. Early l ...

, political activist and wife to Archie Sibeko (1930–??) * Joyce Nomafa Sikakane, South African journalist and activist (born 1943) *

Annie Silinga Annie Silinga (1910-1984) was a South African anti-pass laws and anti-apartheid political activist. She is known for her role as the Cape Town African National Congress Women's League President, a leader in the 1956 anti-pass Women's March to th ...

, South African anti-pass laws and anti-apartheid political activist (1910–1984) *

Jack Simons John "Jack" Joseph Simons (also widely known and referred to as J. J. Simons and J. J. "Boss" Simons (12 August 1882 – 24 October 1948) was an Australian businessman and politician, best known for establishing the Young Australia League. Ear ...

, political activist (1907–1995) *

Rachel Simons Ray Alexander Simons (née Alexandrowich; (31 December 1913 – 12 September 2004) was a South African communist, anti-apartheid activist, campaigner and trade unionist who helped draft the Women's Charter. She moved to Cape Town in 1929 to es ...

, communist and trade unionist and wife to Jack Simons (1914–2004) *

Albertina Sisulu Nontsikelelo Albertina Sisulu ( Thethiwe; 21 October 1918 – 2 June 2011) was a South African anti-apartheid activist, and the wife of fellow activist Walter Sisulu (1912–2003). She was affectionately known as "Ma Sisulu" throughout her li ...

, political activist and wife of Walter Sisulu (1918–2011) *

Walter Sisulu Walter Max Ulyate Sisulu (18 May 1912 – 5 May 2003) was a South African anti-apartheid activist and member of the African National Congress (ANC). Between terms as ANC Secretary-General (1949–1954) and ANC Deputy President (1991–1994), h ...

, political activist (1912–2003) * Zola Skweyiya, political activist (1942–2018) *

Joe Slovo Joe Slovo (born Yossel Mashel Slovo; 23 May 1926 – 6 January 1995) was a South African politician, and an opponent of the apartheid system. A Marxist-Leninist, he was a long-time leader and theorist in the South African Communist Pa ...

, South African politician, and an opponent of the apartheid system (1926–1995) *

Robert Sobukwe Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe (5 December 1924 – 27 February 1978) was a prominent South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and founding member of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), serving as the first president of the organization. Sobukwe w ...

, political activist and founder of PAC (1924–1978) *

Veronica Sobukwe Zondeni Veronica Sobukwe (27 July 1927 – 15 August 2018) was a South African nurse who played an integral role in the Defiance Campaign. Her husband, Robert Sobukwe, was a prominent political dissident. Her family was constantly harassed by th ...

, political activist and wife to Robert Sobukwe (1927–2018) *

Makhenkesi Stofile Makhenkesi Arnold Stofile (27 December 1944 – 15 August 2016) was a South African politician. He was Minister of Sport and Recreation from 2004 to 2010. At the time of his death he was serving as Ambassador to Germany. Stofile was born in Adel ...

, political activist (1944–2016) *

Harold Strachan Robert Harold Lundie "Jock" Strachan (1 December 1925 – 7 February 2020) was a white South African writer and anti-apartheid activist. He flew for the South African Air Force during the Second World War, trained as an artist, then became Umkh ...

, anti-apartheid activist (1925–2020) *

Helen Suzman Helen Suzman, OMSG, DBE (née Gavronsky; 7 November 1917 – 1 January 2009) was a South African anti-apartheid activist and politician. She represented a series of liberal and centre-left opposition parties during her 36-year tenure in th ...

, South African anti-apartheid activist and politician (1917–2009) *

Isaac Bangani Tabata Isaac Bangani Tabata OLG (1909-1990), also known as "I.B" or "Tabby", was a South African political activist, author and orator. A Marxist in the Trotskyist tradition, he was central to the Non-European Unity Movement from its inception in 19 ...

, political activist (1909–1990) *

Dora Tamana Dora Ntloko Tamana (11 November 1901 – 23 July 1983) was a South African anti-apartheid activist. Early life Dora Ntloko was born at Nqamakwe, in Hlobo, Transkei, near Dutywa, then part of Cape Colony. Her grandfather was a Methodist preacher, ...

, 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 Mary Thipe (1917-1982) was a South African anti-apartheid and human rights activist who took part in the 1956 Women's March against apartheid pass laws, the South African potato boycott of 1959 and the Cato Manor Beer Hall boycott in the same year ...

, 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

(SACP) (1941–1971) *

Abram Onkgopotse Tiro Onkgopotse Tiro (9 November 1945 – 1 February 1974) was a South African student activist and black consciousness militant. He was born in Dinokana, a small village near Zeerust. He was expelled from the University of the North (now known as ...

, South African student political activist (1945–1974) *

Steve Tshwete Steve Vukhile Tshwete (12 November 1938 in Springs, Transvaal – 26 April 2002 in Pretoria, Gauteng) was a South African politician and activist with the African National Congress. Involved in Umkhonto we Sizwe, Tshwete was imprisoned by the ap ...

, political activist (1938–2002) *

Ben Turok Ben Turok (26 June 1927 – 9 December 2019) was an anti-apartheid activist, Economics Professor, convicted criminal and a South African member of parliament as a member of the African National Congress. Biography Turok was born to poor working ...

, anti-apartheid activist and Economics Professor (1927–2019) * Moses Twebe, South African politician (1916–2013) * Zwelinzima Vavi, former general secretary of

COSATU The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is a trade union federation in South Africa. It was founded in 1985 and is the largest of the country's three main trade union federations, with 21 affiliated trade unions.One Union expelled, ...

, and Trade union leader

SAFTU The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) is a trade union federation in South Africa. It was founded in 2017, and is the second largest of the country’s main trade union confederations, with 21 affiliated trade unions organisin ...

(born 1962) *

Randolph Vigne James Randolph Vigne FSA (1928 – 19 June 2016) was a South African anti-apartheid activist. He was an influential member of the Liberal Party of South Africa, a founding member of the National Committee for Liberation, and the founder of the A ...

, anti-apartheid activist (1928–2016) *

Sheila Weinberg Sheila Weinberg (1 October 1945 - 11 November 2004) was a South African anti-apartheid activist and politician. Born in Johannesburg, she was the daughter of Eli and Violet Weinberg who were both members of the ANC and the South African Communist ...

, anti-apartheid activist (1945–2004) *

AnnMarie Wolpe AnnMarie Wolpe (1 December 1930 – 14 February 2018, née Kantor) was a South African anti-apartheid activist, sociologist and feminist. Her husband Harold Wolpe was also a South African anti-apartheid activist who was imprisoned along with Nels ...

, sociologist, feminist, anti-apartheid activist and wife to Harold Wolpe (1930–2018) *

Harold Wolpe Harold Wolpe (14 January 1926 – 19 January 1996) was a South African lawyer, sociologist, political economist and anti-apartheid activist. He was arrested and put in prison in 1963 but escaped and spent 30 years in exile in the United Kingdom. ...

, lawyer, sociologist, political economist and anti-apartheid activist (1926–1996) * Khoisan X, political activist (1955–2010) *

Alfred Xuma Alfred Bathini Xuma, OLG, commonly referred to by his initials as AB Xuma (8 March 1893 – 27 January 1962), was the first black South African to become a medical doctor, as well as a leader, activist and president-general of the African Nation ...

, political activist and

president (1893–1962) * Tony Yengeni, anti-Apartheid activist (born 1954)

Apartheid operatives

* Wouter Basson, apartheid scientist (born 1950) * Dirk Coetzee, apartheid covert operative (1945–2013) *

Eugene de Kock Eugene Alexander de Kock (born 29 January 1949) is a former South African Police colonel, torturer, and assassin, active under the apartheid government. Nicknamed "Prime Evil" by the press, De Kock was the commanding officer of C10, a counterin ...

, apartheid assassin (born 1949) *

Clive Derby-Lewis Clive John Derby-Lewis (22 January 1936 – 3 November 2016) was a South African politician, who was involved first in the National Party and then, while serving as a member of parliament, in the Conservative Party. In 1993 he was convicted ...

, assassin and former parliamentarian (1936–2016) *

Jimmy Kruger James Thomas Kruger (20 December 1917 – 9 May 1987) was a South African-born politician who was part of the conservative National Party government which championed apartheid. He rose to the position of Minister of Justice and the Police in t ...

, apartheid Minister of Justice and the Police (1917–1987) *

, 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 Craig Michael Williamson (born 1949), is a former officer in the South African Police, who was exposed as a spy and assassin for the Security Branch (South Africa), Security Branch in 1980. Williamson was involved in a series of events involvi ...

, apartheid spy (born 1949)

Colonial and Union Governors

George Grey Sir George Grey, KCB (14 April 1812 – 19 September 1898) was a British soldier, explorer, colonial administrator and writer. He served in a succession of governing positions: Governor of South Australia, twice Governor of New Zealand, Go ...

, Cape governor (1812–1898) * Jan Willem Janssens, Cape Governor (1762–1838) *

Benjamin d'Urban Lieutenant General Sir Benjamin D'Urban (16 February 1777 – 25 May 1849) was a British general and colonial administrator, who is best known for his frontier policy when he was the Governor in the Cape Colony (now in South Africa). Ear ...

, Cape Governor (1834–1837) *

Benjamin Pine Sir Benjamin Chilley Campbell Pine (1809–1891) was at various times administrator of Natal, the Gold Coast, Antigua, the Leeward Islands and Western Australia. Life Born in 1809 in London, Benjamin Pine was educated in Brighton and at Trinit ...

, Natal governor (1809–1891) * Harry Smith, Cape governor 1847–52 (1787–1860) *

Andries Stockenström Sir Andries Stockenström, 1st Baronet, (6 July 1792 in Cape Town – 16 March 1864 in London) was lieutenant governor of British Kaffraria from 13 September 1836 to 9 August 1838. His efforts in restraining colonists from moving into Xhosa ...

, governor of British Kaffraria (1792–1864) *

Simon van der Stel Simon van der Stel (14 October 1639 – 24 June 1712) was the last commander and first Governor of the Dutch Cape Colony, the settlement at the Cape of Good Hope. Background Simon was the son of Adriaan van der Steland Maria Lievens, ...

, first Cape governor (1639–1712) *

Willem Adriaan van der Stel Willem () is a Dutch and West FrisianRienk de Haan, ''Fryske Foarnammen'', Leeuwarden, 2002 (Friese Pers Boekerij), , p. 158. masculine given name. The name is Germanic, and can be seen as the Dutch equivalent of the name William in English, Gu ...

, second Cape governor (1664–1723) * Jan van Riebeeck, founder of Cape settlement (1619–1677) *

Nicolaas Jacobus de Wet Nicolaas Jacobus de Wet, PC, QC (11 September 1873 – 16 March 1960) was a South African politician, lawyer, and judge who was Chief Justice of South Africa and acting Governor-General from 1943 to 1945. Early life De Wet was born and went t ...

, Chief Justice of South Africa and acting Governor-General (1873–1960)

Leaders and politicians

* Ken Andrew, politician (born 1943) *

Kader Asmal Abdul Kader Asmal (8 October 1934 – 22 June 2011) was a South African politician. He was a professor of human rights at the University of the Western Cape, chairman of the council of the University of the North and vice-president of the A ...

, an activist, politician and professor of human rights (1934–2011) *

, politician (born 1934) * Steve Biko,

political activist (1946–1977) * Thozamile Botha, politician (born 1948) *

Cheryl Carolus Cheryl Carolus (born 27 May 1958) is a South African politician. She was born in Silvertown, on the Cape Flats, Cape Town. Carolus became involved in politics while still at school and became an activist after joining the United Democratic Fro ...

, politician (born 1958) *

Yusuf Dadoo Yusuf Mohamed Dadoo (5 September 1909 – 19 September 1983) was a South African Communist and an anti-apartheid activist. During his life, he was chair of both the South African Indian Congress and the South African Communist Party ...

, doctor and politician (1909–1983) *

Patricia de Lille Patricia de Lille (née Lindt; born 17 February 1951) is a South African politician who is the current Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure and leader of the political party Good. She was previously Mayor of Cape Town from 2011 to 2018, ...

, politician (born 1951) * Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, politician (born 1949) *

John Langalibalele Dube John Langalibalele Dube (22 February 1871 – 11 February 1946) was a South African essayist, philosopher, educator, politician, publisher, editor, novelist and poet. He was the founding president of the South African Native National Congress ...

, founder and first president of

(1871–1946) *

Abba Eban Abba Solomon Meir Eban (; he, אבא אבן ; born Aubrey Solomon Meir Eban; 2 February 1915 – 17 November 2002) was an Israeli diplomat and politician, and a scholar of the Arabic and Hebrew languages. During his career, he served as For ...

, Israeli diplomat and politician, and President of the

Weizmann Institute of Science The Weizmann Institute of Science ( he, מכון ויצמן למדע ''Machon Vaitzman LeMada'') is a public research university in Rehovot, Israel, established in 1934, 14 years before the State of Israel. It differs from other Israeli unive ...

(1915–2002) *

De Villiers Graaff Sir De Villiers Graaff, 2nd Baronet, (8 December 1913 – 4 October 1999) (first name De Villiers, surname De Graeff, Graaff) known as Div Graaff, was a South African politician who succeeded his father, Sir David Graaff, 1st Baronet, Sir David ...

, United Party opposition leader (1913–1999) * Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, journalist and politician (1845–1909) * Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, academic and politician (1894–1948) *

Danny Jordaan Daniel Alexander "Danny" Jordaan (born 3 September 1951) is the president of the South African Football Association ( SAFA). He is a former lecturer, politician and anti-apartheid activist. He led South Africa's successful 2010 FIFA World Cup bid ...

, politician and soccer administrator (born 1951) *

Tony Leon Anthony James Leon (born 15 December 1956) is a South African politician who served as leader of the opposition from 1999-2007 as leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA). He led the DA from its inception in 2000, until his retirement from lea ...

, DA opposition leader (born 1956) * Albert Luthuli, President of the African National Congress, 1952–67 (1898–1967) *

, politician and second wife of Nelson Mandela (1936–2018) *

Trevor Manuel Trevor Andrew Manuel (born 31 January 1956) is a South African politician who served in the government of South Africa as Minister of Finance from 1996 to 2009, during the presidencies of Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe, an ...

, minister of finance (born 1956) *

Lindiwe Mazibuko Lindiwe Mazibuko (born 9 April 1980) is a Swazi-born South African academic, former politician, musician and the former leader of the Official Opposition Democratic Alliance (DA). She was elected DA Parliamentary Leader on 27 October 2011, beat ...

, former Parliamentary Leader for the opposition Democratic Alliance (born 1980) *

, political activist and father of Thabo Mbeki (1910–2001) *

Roelf Meyer Roelof Petrus Meyer (born 16 July 1947) is a South African politician and businessman. Originally a member of the National Party, he is known for his prominent role in the negotiations to end the apartheid system in South Africa. He later co-f ...

, politician and businessman (born 1947) *

, political activist and the former

(1920–2005) *

, unionist and Umkhonto we Sizwe activist (1920–1964) * Johnson Mlambo, political activist (1940–2021) *

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (; born 3 November 1955), South African Government Information. is a South African politician and former United Nations official, who served as the Executive Director of UN Women with the rank of Under-Secretary-General ...

, deputy president (born 1955) * Pieter Mulder, leader of the

Freedom Front Plus The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus; af, Vryheidsfront Plus, ''VF Plus'') is a right-wing political party in South Africa that was formed (as the Freedom Front) in 1994. It is led by Pieter Groenewald. Its current stated policy positions include a ...

and former deputy minister of agriculture (born 1951) * Gagathura (Monty) Mohambry Naicker, medical doctor and politician (1910–1978) *

, politician (born 1954) *

Dullah Omar Abdullah Mohamed Omar (26 May 1934 – 13 March 2004), better known as Dullah Omar, was a South African anti-Apartheid activist, lawyer, and a minister in the South African cabinet from 1994 until his death. Early life and education Born in ...

, politician (1934–2004) *

Andries Pretorius Andries Wilhelmus Jacobus Pretorius (27 November 179823 July 1853) was a leader of the Boers who was instrumental in the creation of the South African Republic, as well as the earlier but short-lived Natalia Republic, in present-day South Africa ...

Boer Boers ( ; af, Boere ()) are the descendants of the Dutch-speaking Free Burghers of the eastern Cape frontier in Southern Africa during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. From 1652 to 1795, the Dutch East India Company controlled this are ...

leader and commandant-general (1799–1853) *

Deneys Reitz Deneys Reitz (1882—1944), son of Francis William Reitz, was a Boer warrior who fought in the Second Boer War for the South African Republic against the British Empire. After a period of exile in French Madagascar he returned to South Af ...

, boer commando, deputy Prime Minister and High Commissioner to London (1882–1944) *

Pixley ka Isaka Seme Pixley ka Isaka Seme (c. 1881 – June 1951) was a South African lawyer and a founder and President of the African National Congress. Early life Seme was born the fourth son of Sinono Kuwana Seme in Durban, in what was then called the Colony of ...

, ANC founder member (1881–1951) *

Mbhazima Shilowa Mbhazima Samuel (Sam) Shilowa, correct Tsonga spelling "Xilowa" (born 30 April 1958) is a South African politician. A former Premier of Gauteng province while a member of the African National Congress, Shilowa left the party to help form the o ...

, trade unionist and premier (born 1958) *

, political activist (1912–2003) *

-Slovo, political activist and wife to Joe Slovo (1924–1982) *

, politician (1926–1995) *

, lawyer, politician, ambassador to United States and anti-apartheid leader (1924–2010) *

, political activist and founder of PAC (1924–1978) *

, politician (1917–2009) * Oliver Tambo, political activist (1917–1993) * Catherine Taylor, politician (1914–1992) * Frederik van Zyl Slabbert, PFP opposition leader (1940–2010) *

Helen Zille Otta Helene Maree (''née'' Zille ; born 9 March 1951), known as Helen Zille, is a South African politician. She has served as the Chairperson of the Federal Council of the Democratic Alliance since 20 October 2019. From 2009 until 2019, she w ...

, 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 The Orange Free State ( nl, Oranje Vrijstaat; af, Oranje-Vrystaat;) was an independent Boer sovereign republic under British suzerainty in Southern Africa during the second half of the 19th century, which ceased to exist after it was defeat ...

(1808–1881) *

, Boer commander-in-chief and 1st Prime Minister of South Africa (1862–1919) *

Pieter Willem Botha Pieter Willem Botha, (; 12 January 1916 – 31 October 2006), commonly known as P. W. and af, Die Groot Krokodil (The Big Crocodile), was a South African politician. He served as the last prime minister of South Africa from 1978 to 1984 an ...

, 9th and last Prime Minister and 8th State President of South Africa (1916–2006) *

Johannes Henricus Brand Sir Johannes Henricus Brand, (popularly known as Sir Jan Brand and sometimes as Sir John Henry Brand or Jan Henrick Brand; 6 December 1823 – 14 July 1888) was a South African lawyer and politician who served as the fourth state president ...

, 4th President of the Orange Free State (1823–1888) *

Thomas François Burgers Thomas François Burgers (15 April 18349 December 1881) was a South African politician and minister who served as the 4th president of the South African Republic from 1872 to 1877. He was the youngest child of Barend and Elizabeth Burger of the ...

, 4th President of South African Republic (1871–1877) *

Schalk Willem Burger Schalk Willem Burger (6 September 1852 – 5 December 1918) was a South African military leader, lawyer, politician, and statesman who was acting president of the South African Republic from 1900 to 1902, whilst Paul Kruger was in exile.Nat ...

, 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) *

, 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) *

, 1st

(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) *

, 1st Premier of Gauteng (born 1953) *

, 3rd Premier of Gauteng (born 1958) *Mbulelo Sogoni, 4th Premier of the Eastern Cape (born 1966) *

, 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) *

, 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.

, 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

, 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) *

, 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) * 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) *Maki Skosana, Necklacing, necklaced due to be suspected as a police informer (1961–1985) *

, 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,