List of South Africans
Encyclopedia
Academics
Academics
- Estian CalitzEstian CalitzEstian Calitz is the Executive Director of Finance and Professor of Economics at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa since 2003.Calitz was born and grew up in the Western Cape Province town of George...
, academic (1949 – ) - Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, academic and politician (1894–1948)
- Tshilidzi MarwalaTshilidzi MarwalaTshilidzi Marwala born 28 July 1971 in Venda, Limpopo South Africa is a Dean of Engineering at the University of Johannesburg.-Academic career:...
, academic and businessman (1971 – ) - Njabulo NdebeleNjabulo NdebeleProfessor Njabulo Simakahle Ndebele , an academic, a literary and a writer of fiction, is the former Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Cape Town.- Life and career :...
, Principal of the University of Cape Town (1948 – ) - Calie PistoriusCalie PistoriusCarl Wilhelm Irene Pistorius is a South African academic who is currently the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hull, Kingston upon Hull, United Kingdom.-Education:...
, academic and Principal of the University of Pretoria (1958 – ) - David WebsterDavid Webster (anthropologist)David Webster was a social anthropologist in South Africa who was murdered by covert forces of the Apartheid state.-Life:...
, anthropologist (1945–1989)
Medical and veterinary
- Abraham Manie AdelsteinAbraham Manie AdelsteinAbraham Manie "Abe" Adelstein was a South African born doctor who became the United Kingdom's Chief Medical Statistician.-Career:...
, UK Chief Medical Statistician (1916–1992) - Christiaan BarnardChristiaan BarnardChristiaan Neethling Barnard was a South African cardiac surgeon who performed the world's first successful human-to-human heart transplant.- Early life :...
, pioneering heart surgeon (1922–2001) - Wouter BassonWouter BassonWouter Basson is a South African cardiologist and former head of the country's secret chemical and biological warfare project, Project Coast, during the apartheid era. Nicknamed "Dr...
, apartheid medical scientist (1950 – ) - Patrick Soon-ShiongPatrick Soon-ShiongPatrick Soon-Shiong is a South African-American surgeon who was founder, chairman, and CEO of Abraxis BioScience, a biotechnology company developing cancer treatment. He is co-developer of the metastatic breast cancer treatment drug Abraxane....
, surgeon, founder Abraxis BioScience, billionaire (1952 – ) - Arnold TheilerArnold TheilerSir Arnold Theiler Pour le Mérite] is considered to be the father of veterinary science in South Africa. He was born in Frick, Canton Aargau, Switzerland. He received his higher education, and later qualified as a veterinarian, in Zurich...
, veterinarian (1867–1936) - Max TheilerMax TheilerMax Theiler was a South African/American virologist. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1951 for developing a vaccine against yellow fever.-Career development:...
, virologist, 1951 Nobel PrizeNobel Prize in Physiology or MedicineThe Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine administered by the Nobel Foundation, is awarded once a year for outstanding discoveries in the field of life science and medicine. It is one of five Nobel Prizes established in 1895 by Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, in his will...
winner (1899–1972)
Scientists
- Andrew Geddes BainAndrew Geddes BainAndrew Geddes Bain , South African geologist, road engineer, palaeontologist and explorer.-Life history:...
, geologist (1797–1864) - Peter BeightonPeter BeightonPeter Herbert Beighton, a medical geneticist, was born in Lancashire in England in 1934 and qualified in medicine in 1957 at the University of London's St Mary's Hospital. After several internships, Beighton served as a Medical Officer in the Parachute Regiment and with the United Nations forces...
, geneticist (1934 – ) - Wilhelm BleekWilhelm BleekWilhelm Heinrich Immanuel Bleek 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 of ǀxam and !kun texts.-Biography:Wilhelm Heinrich Immanuel Bleek was born in Berlin on 8...
, linguist (1827–1875) - Robert BroomRobert BroomProfessor Robert Broom was a Scottish South African doctor and paleontologist. He qualified as a medical practitioner in 1895 and received his DSc in 1905 from the University of Glasgow...
, palaeontologist (1866–1951) - Sydney BrennerSydney BrennerSydney Brenner, CH FRS is a South African biologist and a 2002 Nobel prize in Physiology or Medicine laureate, shared with H...
, biologist, 2002 Physiology or Medicine Nobel PrizeNobel PrizeThe Nobel Prizes are annual international awards bestowed by Scandinavian committees in recognition of cultural and scientific advances. The will of the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established the prizes in 1895...
winner (1927 – ) - Phillip ClanceyPhillip ClanceyDr Phillip Alexander Clancey DSc was a leading authority on the ornithology of South Africa.- Background and education :Phillip Clancey was born, brought up and educated in Glasgow, Scotland...
, ornithologist (1918–2001) - Allan McLeod CormackAllan McLeod CormackAllan MacLeod Cormack was a South African-born American physicist who won the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on X-ray computed tomography ....
, physicist (1924–1998) - Clement Martyn DokeClement Martyn DokeClement Martyn Doke was a South African linguist working mainly on African languages...
, linguist (1893–1980) - Alexander du ToitAlexander Du ToitAlexander Logie du Toit was a geologist from South Africa, and an early supporter of Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift.Born in Newlands, Cape Town in 1878, du Toit was educated at the Diocesan College in Rondebosch and the University of the Cape of Good Hope...
, geologist (1878–1948) - J.W.B. GunningJ. W. B. GunningJan Willem Boudewijn Gunning , was director of the Transvaal Museum and a medical practitioner....
, zoologist (1860–1913) - David Lewis-WilliamsDavid Lewis-WilliamsJames David Lewis-Williams is a South African scholar. He is professor emeritus of cognitive archaeology at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg....
, archaeologist (1934 – ) - Lucy LloydLucy LloydLucy Catherine Lloyd was the creator along with Wilhelm Bleek of the 19th century archive of |xam and !kun texts-Early life:...
, anthropologist (1834–1914) - Thebe MedupeThebe MedupeThebe Rodney Medupe 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.-Biography:...
, astrophysicist (1973 – ) - Hans MerenskyHans MerenskyHans Merensky was a German South African geologist, prospector, scientist, conservationist and philanthropist...
, geologist (1871–1952) - Austin RobertsAustin RobertsAustin Roberts was a South African zoologist. He is best known for his Birds of South Africa, first published in 1940. He also studied the mammalian fauna of the region: his work The mammals of South Africa was published posthumously in 1951...
, zoologist (1883–1948) - Basil SchonlandBasil SchonlandSir Basil Ferdinand Jamieson Schonland CBE FRS was the first president of the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.-Birth and Parentage:...
, physicist (1896–1972) - J.L.B. SmithJames Leonard Brierley SmithJames Leonard Brierley Smith, known as J.L.B. Smith was a South African ichthyologist, organic chemist and university professor. He was the first to identify a taxidermied fish as a coelacanth, at the time thought long extinct.-Early life:Born in Graaff Reinet, Smith was the elder of two sons of...
, ichthyologist (1897–1968) - Phillip TobiasPhillip V. TobiasPhillip Vallentine Tobias is a South African palaeoanthropologist and Professor Emeritus at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg...
, palaeontologist (1925 – )
Theologians
Also see: Prelates, clerics and evangelists- Ahmed DeedatAhmed DeedatAhmed Hussein Deedat was a Muslim writer and public speaker of Indian South African descent. He was best known for his numerous inter-religious public debates with evangelical Christians, as well as pioneering video lectures, most of which centered around Islam, Christianity and the Bible...
(1918–2005) - David BoschDavid BoschDavid Jacobus Bosch was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, married to Anne-Marie and author of Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission — a major work on post-colonial Christian mission.-Early life:Bosch was born in Kuruman, Cape Province, South Africa, and died in a...
(1929–1992) - Dion ForsterDion ForsterDr Dion Angus Forster is an ordained Minister of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. He is a theologian and author. He was formerly the Dean of the Seminary of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, John Wesley College...
, (1972 – ) - Johan HeynsJohan HeynsJohan Adam Heyns , was an influential Afrikaner Calvinist theologian and moderator of the general synod of the Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk . He was assassinated at his home in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria...
, (1928–1994) - Andrew MurrayAndrew Murray (minister)Andrew Murray was a South African writer, teacher, and Christian pastor. Murray considered missions to be "the chief end of the church."- Early life and education :...
(1828–1917) - Bhakti Narasimha Swami (1960 – )
- William John Murray Janson (1928-2002)
Authors
- Lady Anne BarnardLady Anne BarnardLady Anne Barnard , née Anne Lindsay, eldest daughter of James Lindsay, 5th Earl of Balcarres was born at Balcarres House, Fife, Scotland. She was author of the ballad Auld Robin Gray and an accomplished travel writer, artist and socialite of the period...
, travel writer and artist (1750–1825) - Herman Charles BosmanHerman Charles BosmanHerman Charles Bosman is the South African writer widely regarded as South Africa's greatest short story writer. He studied the works of Edgar Alan Poe and Mark Twain, and developed a style emphasizing the use of irony...
, author (1905–1951) - John Michael Coetzee, 2003 Nobel Prize-winning author (1940 – )
- K. Sello DuikerK. Sello DuikerKabelo "Sello" Duiker, , was a South African novelist. His debut novel, Thirteen Cents, won the 2001 Commonwealth Writers Prize for best first book written by an African writer...
, novelist (1974–2005) - Percy Fitzpatrick, writer, businessman and politician (1862–1931)
- Graeme FriedmanGraeme FriedmanGraeme Friedman is a clinical psychologist and an award-winning writer whose short stories have appeared in anthologies published internationally . His latest book is The Fossil Artist , a novel about crime, authenticity, what it means to be human and how we come to love, has been has been...
, author and clinical psychologist - Damon GalgutDamon GalgutDamon Galgut is an award-winning South African playwright and novelist.-Life and career:Galgut was born in Pretoria, South Africa in 1963. His family, of European stock, had strong ties to the South African judiciary. When he was six years old, Galgut was diagnosed with cancer, a trauma which he...
, author (1963 – ) - Nadine GordimerNadine GordimerNadine Gordimer is a South African writer and political activist. She was awarded the 1991 Nobel Prize in Literature when she was recognised as a woman "who through her magnificent epic writing has – in the words of Alfred Nobel – been of very great benefit to humanity".Her writing has long dealt...
, 1991 Nobel Prize-winning author (1923 – ) - C. J. LangenhovenCornelis Jacobus LangenhovenCornelis Jacobus Langenhoven , wrote under the pen name C.J. Langenhoven and was better known as Sagmoedige Neelsie or Kerneels. He had a formidable role in South Africa's Afrikaans literature and cultural history, and was one of the young language's foremost promoters...
, writer and poet (1873–1932) - Dalene MattheeDalene MattheeDalene Matthee was a South African author who wrote mainly in Afrikaans, although her books were translated into fourteen other languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Hebrew and Icelandic....
, author (1938–2005) - Gcina MhlopeGcina MhlopeNokugcina Elsie Mhlophe is a well-known South African freedom fighter, activist, actor, storyteller, poet, playwright, director and author. Storytelling is a deeply traditional activity in Africa and Mhlope is one of the few woman storytellers in a country dominated by males...
, author, storyteller, playwright, director, actor (1959 – ) - Phaswane MpePhaswane MpePhaswane Mpe was a South African poet and novelist. He was educated at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he was a lecturer in African literature. His debut novel, Welcome to Our Hillbrow, was published in 2001...
, novelist (1970–2004) - Alan PatonAlan PatonAlan Stewart Paton was a South African author and anti-apartheid activist.-Family:Paton was born in Pietermaritzburg, Natal Province , the son of a minor civil servant. After attending Maritzburg College, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Natal in his hometown, followed...
, author (1903–1988) - Karel SchoemanKarel SchoemanKarel Schoeman is a South African novelist, historian, translator and man of letters. The author of 18 novels and numerous works of history, he is one of South Africa's most awarded and highly-regarded authors. Although several of Schoeman's non-fiction works are available in English, he has...
, novelist and historian (1939 – ) - Olive SchreinerOlive SchreinerOlive Schreiner was a South African author, anti-war campaigner and intellectual. She is best remembered today for her novel The Story of an African Farm which has been highly acclaimed ever since its first publication in 1883 for the bold manner in which it dealt with some of the burning issues...
, author (1855–1920) - Etienne van HeerdenEtienne van Heerden-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 speaking merino stud breeder, farmed the family farm in the Karoo...
, novelist (1956 – ) - Marlene van NiekerkMarlene van NiekerkMarlene van Niekerk is a South African author who is best known for her novel Triomf. Her graphic and controversial descriptions of a poor Afrikaner family in Johannesburg brought her to the forefront of a post-apartheid society, still struggling to come to terms with all the changes in South...
, novelist (1954 – ) - Lyall WatsonLyall WatsonLyall Watson was a South African botanist, zoologist, biologist, anthropologist, ethologist, and author of many new age books, among the most popular of which is the best seller Supernature. Lyall Watson tried to make sense of natural and supernatural phenomena in biological terms...
, writer (1939–2008) - Rachel ZadokRachel ZadokRachel Zadok is a writer and a Whitbread First Novel Award nominee . She is a graduate of the Certificate in Novel Writing course, run by the Department of Education and Lifelong Learning at City University, London. Zadok was born in South Africa in 1972 to a South African mother and an Israeli...
, London-based South African writer (1972 – )
Editors
- John Tengo JabavuJohn Tengo JabavuJohn Tengo Jabavu was a political activist and the editor of South Africa's first newspaper to be written in Xhosa....
, political activist and newspaper editor (1859–1921) - Aggrey KlaasteAggrey KlaasteAggrey Zola Klaaste was a South African newspaperjournalist and editor. He was best known for being editor of the Soweto-based newspaper, the Sowetan, from 1988 to 2002...
, journalist and editor (1940–2004) - Max du PreezMax du PreezMax du Preez is a South African author, columnist and documentary filmmaker and was the founding editor of Vrye Weekblad.-Vrye Weekblad:Du Preez founded Vrye Weekblad, an Afrikaans-language weekly newspaper, in November 1988...
, newspaper editor (1951 – )
Poets
See also: South African poets and Afrikaans language poets- Roy CampbellRoy Campbell (poet)Ignatius Royston Dunnachie Campbell, better known as Roy Campbell, was an Anglo-African poet and satirist. He was considered by T. S. Eliot, Dylan Thomas and Edith Sitwell to have been one of the best poets of the period between the First and Second World Wars...
, poet (1901–1957) - Sheila CussonsSheila CussonsSheila Cussons was an Afrikaans poet. She was born on the Moravia missionary station near Piketberg, South Africa, and studied fine arts at the University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg. She was one of the most important poets in Afrikaans, besides an accomplished painter and artist.The poet D.J...
, poet (1922–2004) - Jakob Daniël du Toit, poet aka Totius (1877–1953)
- Elisabeth EybersElisabeth EybersElisabeth Françoise Eybers , was a South African poet. Her poetry was mainly in Afrikaans, although she has translated some of her own work into English....
, poet (1915–2007) - Ingrid JonkerIngrid JonkerIngrid Jonker , was a South African poet. Although she wrote in Afrikaans, her poems have been widely translated into other languages...
, poet (1933–1965) - Antjie KrogAntjie KrogAntjie Krog, born October 23, 1952 in Kroonstad, Orange Free State, South Africa, is a prominent South African poet, academic and writer. In 2004 she joined the Arts faculty of the University of the Western Cape.- Early life :...
, poet, novelist and playwright (1952 – ) - Laurence LernerLaurence LernerLaurence Lerner is a South African born British literary critic and poet and novelist. He was born in Cape Town to parents of Lithuanian-Jewish ancestry, and educated at the University of Cape Town and Pembroke College, Cambridge....
, poet (1925 – ) - Thomas PringleThomas PringleThomas Pringle was a Scottish writer, poet and abolitionist, known as the father of South African Poetry, the first successful English language poet and author to describe South Africa's scenery, native peoples, and living conditions.Born at Blaiklaw , four miles south of Kelso in Roxburghshire he...
, poet and journalist (1789–1834) - N. P. van Wyk LouwN. P. van Wyk LouwNicolaas Petrus van Wyk Louw , almost universally known as N.P. van Wyk Louw, was an Afrikaans-language poet, playwright, and scholar. He is the older brother of Afrikaans-language poet W.E.G. Louw.One of the Dertigers, or "Writers of the Thirties," N.P...
, poet (1906–1970) - Eugène Nielen MaraisEugene MaraisEugène Nielen Marais was a South African lawyer, naturalist, poet and writer.- His early years, before and during the Boer War :Marais was born in Pretoria, the thirteenth and last child of his parents, Jan Christiaan Nielen Marais and Catharina Helena Cornelia van Niekerk...
, poet, writer, lawyer and naturalist (1871–1936)
Journalists
- Jani AllanJani AllanJani Allan is a South African columnist and radio commentator. She became a household name as a columnist for the Sunday Times where she worked between 1979-90. She is also known for her alleged affair with an interviewee, the late right-wing political leader Eugène Terre'Blanche...
, journalist and radio personality (1953 – ) - John Charles DalyJohn Charles DalyJohn Charles Patrick Croghan Daly John Charles Patrick Croghan Daly John Charles Patrick Croghan Daly (generally known as John Charles Daly or simply John Daly (February 20, 1914 – February 24, 1991) was an American journalist, game show host and radio personality, probably best known for hosting...
, television journalist, executive and game show host (1914–1991) - Arthur GoldstuckArthur GoldstuckArthur Goldstuck is a South African journalist, media analyst and commentator on Information and Communications Technology , Internet and mobile communications and technologies...
, journalist (1959 – ) - Lara LoganLara LoganLara Logan is a South African television and radio journalist, and war correspondent. She is the chief foreign affairs correspondent for CBS News, and a correspondent for CBS's 60 Minutes.-Personal life:...
, CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
television reporter/correspondent (1971 – ) - Sol PlaatjeSol PlaatjeSolomon Tshekisho Plaatje was a South African intellectual, journalist, linguist, politician, translator, and writer. The Sol Plaatje Local Municipality, which includes the city of Kimberley, was named after him.-Early life:...
, journalist and political activist (1877–1932) - Barry StreekBarry StreekBarry Streek 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 service in the South African Navy in 1966. At the time national service was mandatory for all...
, Journalist, political activist, author, parliamentary media manager (1948–2006 ) - Eric Lloyd WilliamsEric Lloyd WilliamsEric Lloyd Williams was a South African-born journalist and war correspondent who covered World War II for the South African Press Association and Reuters....
, journalist and war correspondent (1915–1988) - Donald WoodsDonald WoodsDonald James Woods, CBE was a white South African journalist and anti-apartheid activist.As editor of the Daily Dispatch from 1965 to 1977, he befriended Steve Biko, leader of the anti-apartheid Black Consciousness Movement, and was banned by the government soon after Biko's death, which had been...
, journalist and anti-apartheid activist (1933–2001)
Artists
Actors/Actresses
- Peter CartwrightPeter Cartwright (actor)Peter Cartwright is an actor who has made hundreds of appearances in television, film and on radio and has worked extensively in the theatre, both in the provinces and London's West End....
, actor (1935 – ) - Sharlto CopleySharlto CopleySharlto Copley is a South African producer, actor, and director who has produced and co-directed short films which have appeared at the Cannes Film Festival, as well as commercials and music videos...
, actor, (District 9District 9District 9 is a 2009 South African science fiction thriller film directed by Neill Blomkamp. It was written by Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell, and produced by Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham. The film stars Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, and David James...
) (1973 – ) - Embeth DavidtzEmbeth DavidtzEmbeth Jean Davidtz is an American-born actress who spent much of her early life in South Africa.-Early life:Davidtz was born in Lafayette, Indiana, while her father was studying chemical engineering at Purdue University. Her parents, John and Jean, later moved to Trenton, New Jersey, and then...
, actress (1965 – ) - Sid JamesSid JamesSid James was an English-based South African actor and comedian. He made his name as Tony Hancock's co-star in Hancock's Half Hour and also starred in the popular Carry On films. He was known for his trademark "dirty laugh" and lascivious persona...
, film & television actor (1913–1976) - Adhir KalyanAdhir KalyanAdhir Kalyan is a South African actor noted for his role in the CBS sitcom Rules of Engagement.-Early years:Adhir was born in Durban, South Africa to an Indian South African family...
, actor (1983 – ) - John KaniJohn KaniBonsile John Kani is a South African actor, director and playwright.He was born in New Brighton, South Africa.Kani joined The Serpent Players in Port Elizabeth in 1965 and helped to create many plays that went unpublished but were performed to a resounding reception.These...
, actor, entertainer and writer (1943 – ) - Alice KrigeAlice KrigeAlice Maud Krige is a South African actress. Her first feature film role was as the Gilbert and Sullivan singer Sybil Gordon in the 1981 Academy Award-winning film Chariots of Fire...
, actress (1954 – ) - Patrick MynhardtPatrick MynhardtPatrick Beattie Mynhardt was a well known South African film and theatre actor. He appeared in over 150 stage plays in South Africa and England, 100 local and international films, TV plays and serials as well as an opera...
, actor (1932–2007) - Basil RathboneBasil RathboneSir Basil Rathbone, KBE, MC, Kt was an English actor. He rose to prominence in England as a Shakespearean stage actor and went on to appear in over 70 films, primarily costume dramas, swashbucklers, and, occasionally, horror films...
, actor (1892-1967) - Antony SherAntony SherSir Antony Sher, KBE is a double Olivier Award winning South African-born British actor, writer, theatre director and painter.- Early years :...
, actor, author and painter (1949 – ) - David JamesDavid JamesDavid James may refer to:*David James , cell biologist who discovered the glucose transporter GLUT4*David James , stage, television, and film actor...
, actor (1972 - ), stage, television, and film actor - Cliff SimonCliff SimonCliff Simon is a South African athlete and actor, most famous for his portrayal of Ba'al in Stargate SG-1.-Early life:...
, actor (1962 – ) - William SmithWilliam Smith (South African)William Smith is South Africa's best-known and most popular television science and mathematics teacher.-Early life and education:Smith was born in Grahamstown and attended St. Andrew's Prep before matriculating at Union High School in Graaff-Reinet...
, TV teacher and presenter - Stelio SavanteStelio SavanteStelio Savante is a South African actor, producer, and writer living in the United States. He is a native English speaker and fluent in Afrikaans and Greek. In 2007 he became the first male South African born SAG award nominee. For his recurring role on Ugly Betty...
, actor (1970 – ) - Janet SuzmanJanet SuzmanDame Janet Suzman, DBE is a South African-born-British actress and director.-Early life:Janet Suzman was born in Johannesburg to a Jewish family, the daughter of Betty and Saul Suzman, a wealthy importer of tobacco....
, actress (1939 – ) - Charlize TheronCharlize TheronCharlize Theron is a South African actress, film producer and former fashion model.She rose to fame in the late 1990s following her roles in 2 Days in the Valley, Mighty Joe Young, The Devil's Advocate and The Cider House Rules...
, actress (1975 – ) - Pieter Dirk Uys, political satirist and entertainer (1945 – )
- Musetta VanderMusetta VanderMusetta Vander is a South African actress and model who is best known for her roles in science fiction and fantasy films.-Early life:...
, actress (1969 – ) - Arnold VoslooArnold VoslooArnold Vosloo is a South African American actor, best-known for playing Imhotep in The Mummy and its 2001 sequel The Mummy Returns, as well as the role of the superhero Darkman in the sequel Darkman II: The Return of Durant and its 1996 sequel, Darkman III: Die Darkman Die...
, actor (The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, 24) (1962 – ) - [ [sona ] ]
Playwrights and film directors
- Neill BlomkampNeill BlomkampNeill Blomkamp is an Afrikaner-Canadian film and advertisement writer and director. Blomkamp employs a documentary-style, hand-held, cinéma vérité technique, blending naturalistic and photo-realistic computer-generated effects. He is best known as the co-writer and director of critically acclaimed...
, director, District 9District 9District 9 is a 2009 South African science fiction thriller film directed by Neill Blomkamp. It was written by Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell, and produced by Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham. The film stars Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, and David James...
(1979 – ) - Lev DavidLev DavidLev David, is a writer, radio producer and radio presenter, and media consultant. He is both founder and chief executive officer of Say Yay Media, having previously founded and headed the consulting branch of Lev David Media.David studied economics at the University of Natal , before working for...
, writer and media consultant (1980 – ) - Athol FugardAthol FugardAthol Fugard is a South African playwright, novelist, actor, and director who writes in English, best known for his political plays opposing the South African system of apartheid and for the 2005 Academy-Award winning film of his novel Tsotsi, directed by Gavin Hood...
, playwright (1932 – ) - Ronald HarwoodRonald HarwoodSir Ronald Harwood CBE is an author, playwright and screenwriter. He is most noted for his plays for the British stage as well as the screenplays for The Dresser and The Pianist, for which he won the 2003 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay...
, playwright and writer (1934 – ) - Mbongeni NgemaMbongeni NgemaMbongeni Ngema a South African writer, lyricist, composer and director was born in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal . He started his career as a theatre backing guitarist.He is married to actress Leleti Khumalo...
, playwright, actor, choreographer and director (1955 – ) - Mthuli ka SheziMthuli ka SheziMthuli ka Shezi was a South African playwright and political activist. He was a student activist when he attended the University of Zululand, and in 1972 he was elected the first vice president of the Black People's Convention...
, playwright and political activist (1947–1972) - Leon SchusterLeon SchusterLeon Ernest "Schuks" Schuster is a South African filmmaker, comedian, actor, presenter and singer.- Early life :Schuster was drawn to the filmmaking process at an early age...
, filmmaker, comedian, actor and prankster (1951 – ) - Jamie UysJamie UysJacobus Johannes Uys , better known as Jamie Uys, was a South African film director.-Early life:Prior to his foray into film, Uys was a math teacher in his hometown of Boksburg. He then married Hettie, a fellow math teacher and the couple started farming and opening trading posts along the Palala...
, film director (1921–1996) - Gavin HoodGavin HoodGavin Hood is a South African filmmaker, screenwriter, producer and actor, best known for writing and directing the Academy Award-winning Foreign Language Film Tsotsi...
, film director 1963 – ), best known for writing and directing the Academy Award-winning Foreign Language Film, Tsotsi (2005)
Singers, musicians and composers
See also: South African musicians and South African composers- Johan BothaJohan Botha (opera singer)Johan Botha is a South African operatic tenor.Botha was born in Rustenburg, South Africa. He made his stage debut at the municipal theatre in Roodepoort as Max in Der Freischütz in 1989. His international breakthrough occurred in 1993 at the Opéra de la Bastille as Pinkerton in Puccini's Madama...
, opera singer (1965 – ) - Johnny Clegg, musician (1953 – )
- Mimi CoertseMimi CoertseMimi Coertse , is a South African soprano.-Early life:Coertse, born in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, matriculated at the Helpmekaar Girls High School in Johannesburg. She began vocal studies in South Africa in 1949. In July 1953 she married the broadcaster and composer Dawid Engela. She left South Africa...
, opera singer (1932 -) - Lucky DubeLucky DubeLucky Philip Dube was a South African reggae musician. He recorded 22 albums in Zulu, English and Afrikaans in a 25-year period and was South Africa's biggest selling reggae artist...
, reggae singer (1964–2007) - Claire JohnstonClaire Johnston (musician)Claire Johnston is a singer best known as the face and voice of Mango Groove. Born in the United Kingdom, she has been a South African resident for most of her life. At age ten, Claire debuted as an actor, dancer and singer in the Johannesburg production of the musical Annie...
, singer - David KramerDavid KramerDavid Kramer is a South African singer, songwriter, playwright and director, most notable for his musicals about the Cape Coloured communities, and for his early opposition to apartheid.-Early life:...
, singer and playwright (1951 – ) - Winston Ngozi Mankunku tenor sax player (1943–2009)
- Manfred MannManfred MannManfred Mann was a British beat, rhythm and blues and pop band of the 1960s, named after their South African keyboardist, Manfred Mann, who later led the successful 1970s group Manfred Mann's Earth Band...
, musician (1940 – ) - Gwendolyn MasinGwendolyn Masin-Early Biography:Born in Amsterdam, Gwendolyn Masin is the descendant of a long line of professional musicians from Central and Eastern Europe.Masin began to play the piano at the age of 3. She took up the violin at the age of 5 and within her initial year of schooling, gave her first public...
, violinist, author, pedagogue (1977 - ) - Aquiles PriesterAquiles PriesterAquiles Priester is the drummer of the Brazilian power metal band Hangar. In 2006, Aquiles participated in Fábio Laguna's Freakeys project. He is a former member of Angra.-Biography:Aquiles Priester was born in Otjo, South Africa...
, drummer (1971 – ) - Koos RasKoos RasKoos Ras was born on August 4, 1928, on a farm named Paardekop in Northern Natal Province in South Africa. As a young boy he often visited his father's neighbour , who taught him how to play a "Konsertina"....
, comedian, singer, writer, composer (1928–1997) - Enoch SontongaEnoch SontongaEnoch Mankayi Sontonga was the composer of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika , which has been part of the South African national anthem since 1994. It was also the official African National Congress anthem since 1925 and is still the national anthem of Tanzania and Zambia...
, composer of national anthem (1873–1905) - Joseph ShabalalaJoseph ShabalalaJoseph Shabalala , born Bhekizizwe Joseph Siphatimandla Mxoveni Mshengu Bigboy Shabalala, is the founder and musical director of the South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.-Early life and career:...
, founder and director of Ladysmith Black MambazoLadysmith Black MambazoLadysmith Black Mambazo is a male choral group from South Africa that sings in the vocal styles of isicathamiya and mbube. They rose to worldwide prominence as a result of singing with Paul Simon on his album, Graceland and have won multiple awards, including three Grammy Awards...
(1941 – ) - Shaun MorganShaun MorganShaun Morgan Welgemoed is a South African musician known as the lead singer and the lead/rhythm guitarist of the post-grunge rock/alternative metal band Seether.-Early life:...
, lead singer of the award-winning band SeetherSeetherSeether is a post-grunge/alternative metal band from Pretoria, South Africa, formed in 1999. The band is currently signed to Wind-up Records...
(c. 1978 – ) - Dave MatthewsDave MatthewsDavid John "Dave" Matthews is a South African–born American musician and occasional actor, best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band...
, musician, Dave Matthews Band (c. 1967 – ) - ZP Theart, singer, ex Dragonforce (c. 1974 – )
- Trevor RabinTrevor RabinTrevor Charles Rabin is a South African born musician, best known as a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the British progressive rock band Yes from 1983–1994, and since then, as a film composer.- Early years :...
~ Musician, Composer, A former band member of Yes, The Progressive rock group.
Supermodels, socialites and media personalities
- Jani AllanJani AllanJani Allan is a South African columnist and radio commentator. She became a household name as a columnist for the Sunday Times where she worked between 1979-90. She is also known for her alleged affair with an interviewee, the late right-wing political leader Eugène Terre'Blanche...
, radio personality, journalist (1953 – ) - Riaan CruywagenRiaan CruywagenRiaan Cruywagen born on October 5, 1945 is a South African television news reader and voice artist who has been associated with the South African Broadcasting Corporation since its first television broadcasts in 1975....
, TV news reader (1945 – ) - Trevor DenmanTrevor DenmanTrevor Denman is an American sportscaster and public-address announcer specializing in Thoroughbred horse racing.Denman was born in Germiston, Gauteng, South Africa...
, horse racing announcer (1952 – ) - Alan KhanAlan KhanAlan Khan , is a media & radio personality in South Africa. Alan is currently the Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at the Durban University of Technology in Durban, South Africa. He is a former Chief Executive Officer of Jacaranda 94.2 and Jacaranda RMFM...
, radio personality (1971 – ) - Felicia Mabuza-SuttleFelicia Mabuza-SuttleFelicia Mabuza-Suttle is a South African entrepreneur and talk show hostess.Dr. Felicia Mabuza-Suttle is an international award winning entrepreneur, highly acclaimed talk show host, sought after speaker, lively emcee and best selling author.She is President and co-owner of Leadership Success...
, talk show host, public speaker and businesswoman (1950 – ) - Jeremy MansfieldJeremy MansfieldJeremy Mansfield is a South African radio and television personality. He has worked on numerous radio stations as presenter and voice-over artist, and has also presented numerous television shows, and inserts for some popular television magazine programmes....
, radio and TV personality - Candice SwanepoelCandice SwanepoelCandice Swanepoel is a South African model best known for her work with Victoria's Secret.-Early life & career :Candice Swanepoel was born in Mooi River, Kwa-Zulu Natal Province, and was spotted by a model scout in a Durban flea market at age 15. By age 16, Swanepoel was earning €5,000 or R40,000...
, model (1988–) - Gina AthansGina AthansGina Athans is a South African former beauty queen and model.She was crowned Miss South Africa Teen 2000, model to appear on Marie Claire, and has been voted FHM sexiest woman in the world and South Africa's most Stylish Woman....
, model, international socialite
Cartoonists
- T.O. Honiball, cartoonist (1905–1990)
- Jeremy NellJeremy NellJeremy Talfer Nell , often referred to by his pen name Jerm, is an award-winning South African cartoonist, social commentator, and blogger...
, cartoonist (1979 – ) - ZapiroZapiroJonathan Shapiro, born 1958 in Cape Town, is a South African cartoonist, famous as Zapiro, whose work appears in numerous South African publications and has been exhibited internationally on many occasions...
, cartoonist (1958 – )
Painters
- Jane AlexanderJane AlexanderJane Alexander is an American actress, author, and former director of the National Endowment for the Arts. Although perhaps best known for playing the female lead in The Great White Hope on both stage and screen, Alexander has played a wide array of roles in both theater and film and has committed...
, painter (1959 – ) - Thomas BainesThomas BainesThomas Baines was an English artist and explorer of British colonial southern Africa and Australia. Born in King's Lynn, Norfolk, Baines was apprenticed to a coach painter at an early age...
, colonial painter and explorer (1820–1875) - Garth ErasmusGarth ErasmusGarth Erasmus is a South African artist who works in several media, including painting,Garth's work is represented in several art collections, including the National Museum of African Art and the Smithsonian Institution.- External links :* * * *...
, visual artist (1956 – ) - Clinton FeinClinton FeinClinton Fein is an artist, writer and activist, noted for his company Apollomedias controversial website Annoy.com and its Supreme Court victory against Janet Reno, United States Attorney General, regarding the constitutionality of the Communications Decency Act in 1997.This victory, a landmark...
, artist, activist, photographer (1964 – ) - C. G. Finch-DaviesC. G. Finch-DaviesClaude Gibney Finch-Davies was a British soldier, ornithologist and painter who produced a series of paintings of birds of South Africa in the early part of the 20th century.-Life history:...
, painter and ornithologist (1875–1920) - Ronald HarrisonRonald HarrisonRonald Harrison was a South African artist most well-known for his 1962 painting Black Christ.-Life:...
, painter (d. 2011) - William KentridgeWilliam KentridgeWilliam Kentridge is a South African artist best known for his prints, drawings, and animated films. These are constructed by filming a drawing, making erasures and changes, and filming it again. He continues this process meticulously, giving each change to the drawing a quarter of a second to two...
, painter (1955 – ) - Neville LewisNeville LewisAlfred Neville Lewis was a South African artist. He was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and educated there and, later, at the Slade School of Art in London....
, artist (1895–1972) - Brett MurrayBrett MurrayBrett Murray is a South African artist mostly known for his steel and mixed media wall sculptures. He was born in Pretoria, South Africa...
, artist (1961 – ) - George PembaGeorge PembaGeorge Milwa Mnyaluza Pemba was a South African painter and writer. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Ikhamanga.Pemba was born in 1912 in Hill's Kraal, Korsten, Port Elizabeth...
, visual artist (1912–2001) - Jacobus Hendrik PierneefJacobus Hendrik PierneefJacobus Hendrik Pierneef Pretoria, was a South African landscape artist, generally considered to be one of the best of the old South African masters...
, artist (1886–1957) - Gerard SekotoGerard SekotoGerard Sekoto , was a South African artist and musician. He is recognized as the pioneer of urban black art, social realism, and more recently as the father of South African art and of his 8 daughters and 3 sons...
, artist and musician (1913–1993) - Cecil SkotnesCecil SkotnesCecil Skotnes 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 SternIrma SternIrma Stern was a major South African artist who achieved national and international recognition in her lifetime.-Life:...
, painter (1894–1966) - Vladimir TretchikoffVladimir TretchikoffVladimir Grigoryevich Tretchikoff was one of the most commercially successful artists of all time - his painting Chinese Girl is one of the best selling art prints ever.Tretchikoff was a...
, painter (1913–2006)
Photographers
- Kevin CarterKevin CarterKevin Carter was an award-winning South African photojournalist and member of the Bang-Bang Club.-Early life:...
, (1961–1994) - Ernest ColeErnest Cole-Overview:Ernest Cole was a black South African born in Eersterust in Pretoria, in 1940.He left school when the Bantu Education Act was put in place, and instead completed his matric via correspondance...
(1940–1990) - David GoldblattDavid GoldblattDavid Goldblatt is a South African photographer noted for his portrayal of South Africa during the period of apartheid and more recently that country's landscapes.-Life and work:...
, photographer (1930 – ) - Bob GosaniBob Gosani-Overview:Bob 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 of Drum’s best photographers....
(1934–1972) - Alf KhumaloAlf KhumaloAlfred Kumalo is a South African photographer.-Overview:Alf Kumalo was born in Alexandra near Johannesburg. He first worked in a garage doing various jobs and then started freelancing for various publications, selling his photographs where he could...
(1930 – ) - Peter MagubanePeter Magubane-Early life:He was born in Vrededorp, now Pageview, a suburb in Johannesburg and grew up in Sophiatown. He started taking some photographs using a Kodak Brownie box camera as a schoolboy....
(1932 – ) - Jürgen SchadebergJürgen Schadeberg-Overview:Jürgen Schadeberg was born in Berlin in 1931. In 1950, he moved to South Africa to rejoin his family and joined Drum magazine as official photographer and layout artist....
(1931 – ) - Austin StevensAustin StevensAustin James Stevens is a South African-born herpetologist and wildlife photographer best known for hosting a series of snake documentaries. Austin is also the author of 2 books.-Biography:...
(1951 – )
Performance Artists
- Steven CohenSteve Cohen (wrestler)Stephan Simpson was a professional wrestler from South Africa better known as Steve Simpson.-Career:Steve Simpson was the son of wrestler Sammy Cohen. Sammy Cohen was the stage name for father Alec Simpson...
(1962 – ) - Tracey RoseTracey RoseTracey Rose is a South African artist who lives and works in Johannesburg. Rose is best known for her performances, video installations, and photographs.- Biography :...
(1974 – )
Business
- Raymond AckermanRaymond AckermanRaymond Ackerman is a South African businessman, who purchased the Pick 'n Pay supermarket group from its founder Mr Jack Goldin . Raymond Ackerman was chairman until he stepped down in 2010. He is also well known for his philanthropic activities...
, businessman (1931 – ) - Barney BarnatoBarney BarnatoBarney Barnato , born Barnet Isaacs, was a British Randlord, one of the entrepreneurs who gained control of diamond mining, and later gold mining, in South Africa from the 1870s.-Background:...
, mining magnate (1852–1897) - David BrinkDavid BrinkDavid Charles Brink is a South African businessman and sits on the boards of a number of large companies.Brink followed his father's footsteps by going into mining, he joined Anglo American from 1962 and was appointed section manager of Western Deep Levels in 1967. He completed a masters degree in...
, businessman (1939 – ) - John FairbairnJohn FairbairnJohn T Fairbairn, born in Newcastle upon Tyne, lives in London where he works as a political journalist, author and translator. His hobby is board games, particularly Go and Shogi. As a specialist in Oriental Languages, he has translated and written many books about these games...
, founder of Mutual Life - Sol KerznerSol KerznerSolomon Kerzner is a South African accountant and business magnate.-Background and career:Kerzner was born in Troyeville, Johannesburg, the youngest of four children to Jewish Russian immigrants...
, hotel magnate (1935 – ) - Basetsana Kumalo, former Miss South Africa, presenter and businesswoman (1974 – )
- Sammy MarksSammy MarksSamuel Marks better known as Sammy Marks 1843 - 18 February 1920, was a South African industrialist and financier.-Life history:Born the son of a Jewish tailor in 1843/44 at Neustadt-Sugind , in Lithuania, Russia and endowed with integrity, courage, astonishing business acumen and immense vitality...
, businessman (1844–1920) - Patrice MotsepePatrice MotsepePatrice Tlhopane Motsepe is a South African mining magnate and 'oligarch' as he was major beneficiary of the South African governments Black Economic Empowerment policies. His company, African Rainbow Minerals, has interests in gold, ferrous metals, base metals, and platinum...
, businessman (1962 – ) - Elon MuskElon MuskElon Musk is an American engineer and entrepreneur heritage best known for co-founding PayPal, SpaceX and Tesla Motors. He is currently the CEO and CTO of SpaceX, CEO and Product Architect of Tesla Motors and Chairman of SolarCity...
, Internet and space launch entrepreneur (1971 – ) - Harry OppenheimerHarry OppenheimerHarry Frederick Oppenheimer was a prominent South African businessman and one of the world's richest men...
, businessman (1908–2000) - Charles PurdonCharles PurdonCharles Purdon planted the first pineapples in the Eastern Cape of South Africa in 1865 which, lead to the commercial pineapple industry in the country.- Biography :...
, agricultural pioneer (1838–1926) - Mamphela RampheleMamphela RampheleMamphela Aletta Ramphele is a South African academic, businesswoman and medical doctor and was an anti-apartheid activist. She is a current trustee on the board of the Rockefeller Foundation in New York.-Life and career:...
, political activist, academic, businesswoman and mother to the son of Steve Biko (1947 – ) - Cyril RamaphosaCyril RamaphosaMatamela Cyril Ramaphosa is a South African lawyer, trade union leader, activist, politician and businessman. He was born in Soweto, Gauteng province...
, politician and businessman (1952 – ) - Cecil Rhodes, businessman (1853–1902)
- Anton RupertAnton RupertDr. Anthony Edward Rupert was an Afrikaner South African billionaire entrepreneur, businessman and conservationist. He was born and raised in the small town of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape. He studied in Pretoria and ultimately moved to Stellenbosch, where he established the Rembrandt Group ...
, businessman and conservationist (1916–2006) - Johann RupertJohann RupertJohann Peter Rupert is the eldest son of the late South African business tycoon Anton Rupert and his wife Huberte Rupert. He is the chairman of the Swiss-based luxury-goods company Richemont as well as of the South Africa-based company Remgro...
, businessman, son of Anton Rupert (1950 – ) - Tokyo SexwaleTokyo SexwaleMosima Gabriel Sexwale , commonly known as Tokyo Sexwale , is the current Minister of Human Settlements of South Africa. A South African businessman, politician, anti-apartheid activist, and former political prisoner. His nickname of "Tokyo" is derived from his involvement with the sport of...
, politician and businessman (1953 – ) - Mark ShuttleworthMark ShuttleworthMark Richard Shuttleworth is a South African entrepreneur who was the second self-funded space tourist. Shuttleworth founded Canonical Ltd. and as of 2010, provides leadership for the Ubuntu operating system...
, web entrepreneur, founder of Thawte and Ubuntu Linux, astronaut (1973 – ) - Jeh Shyan WongWong Jeh ShyanWong Jeh Shyan is the CEO of the influential CommerceNet Singapore. He co-founded and served as CEO of Ecommerce Gateway Pte. Ltd., an active investment company investing in strategic M.I.C.E. sector, notably in Karachi, Middle East and regionally in South Asia...
, businessman and environmentalist (1964 – )
Legal, police and military
- Lourens AckermannLourens AckermannLourens Wepener Hugo Ackermann is a former justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, where he served from 1994 to 2004....
, constitutional court judge (1934 – ) - Ismail AyobIsmail AyobIsmail Mahomed Ayob is a South African lawyer. Ayob practiced law in South Africa and for much of his career; the bulk of his work was with anti-apartheid cases...
, lawyer (1942 – ) - George BizosGeorge BizosGeorge Bizos is a distinguished human rights advocate who campaigned against apartheid in South Africa, most notably during the Rivonia Trial.-Early life:...
, lawyer (1928 – ) - Arthur ChaskalsonArthur ChaskalsonArthur Chaskalson, is a former President of the Constitutional Court of South Africa and Chief Justice of South Africa...
, judge (1931 – ) - Piet CronjePiet CronjePieter Arnoldus Cronjé, commonly known as Piet Cronjé was a general of the South African Republic's military forces during the Anglo-Boer wars of 1880-1881 and 1899-1902....
, boer general and commander-in-chief of ZAR's military forces (1840–1911) - Koos de la ReyKoos de la ReyGeneral Jacobus Herculaas de la Rey , known as Koos de la Rey, was a Boer general during the Second Boer War and is widely regarded as being one of the strongest military leaders during that conflict....
, boer general (1847–1914) - Christiaan Rudolph de WetChristiaan De WetChristiaan Rudolf de Wet was a Boer general, rebel leader and politician.He was born on the Leeuwkop farm, in the district of Smithfield in the Boer Republic of the Orange Free State...
, boer general and acting President of the Orange Free State (1854–1922) - Johannes Christiaan de WetJohannes Christiaan de WetJohannes Christiaan de Wet was South Africa's most influential jurist and teacher of law.Born as a farmer's son in the Orange Free State, he studied law at Stellenbosch, attaining doctorates there and in Leiden...
, legal academic (1912–1990) - Bram FischerBram FischerAbram Louis Fischer, commonly known as Bram Fischer, was a South African lawyer of Afrikaner descent, notable for anti-apartheid activism and for the legal defence of anti-apartheid figures, including Nelson Mandela at the Rivonia Trial.-Tributes:Fischer is widely acknowledged as a key figure in...
, advocate QC and political activist (1908–1975) - Richard GoldstoneRichard GoldstoneRichard Joseph Goldstone 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 the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of South Africa from 1990 to 1994...
, ex-constitutional court judge (1938 – ) - Harold HansonHarold HansonHarold Joseph Hanson was an eminent South African advocate and Senior Member of the Johannesburg Bar Council. He was born in Johannesburg to Ralph Hanson, a Rand pioneer and Clara Lewis. Harold Hanson first married May Koseff with whom he had a daughter. His second marriage was in 1945 to Anna...
, advocate QC (1904–1973) - Sydney KentridgeSydney KentridgeSir Sydney Kentridge KCMG, QC is a prominent South African lawyer and member of the English Bar. He played a leading part in a number of the most significant political trials in apartheid-era South Africa, including the Stephen Biko inquest in 1977.-Education:Kentridge was born in 1922 in...
, former advocate of the Supreme Court and Acting Justice of the Constitutional Court (1922 – ) - Mervyn E. KingMervyn King (judge)Mervyn Eldred King is a South African corporate attorney, arbitrator, mediator, corporate director, commission chair, author and speaker. A former judge of the Supreme Court of South Africa, he is currently the director of the Global Reporting Initiative and the Association of Business...
, former judge of the Supreme Court of South AfricaSupreme Court of South AfricaThe Supreme Court of South Africa was a superior court of law in South Africa from 1910 to 1996. It was made up of various provincial and local divisions with jurisdiction over specific geographical areas, and an Appellate Division which was the highest appellate court in the country...
and chairman of the King Committee on Corporate Governance - Pius LangaPius LangaPius Nkonzo Langa was previously Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa. He was appointed to the bench in 1994 by Nelson Mandela, became Deputy Chief Justice in 2001 and was elevated as Chief Justice in 2005 by Thabo Mbeki. He retired in October 2009.-External links:**...
, chief justice of constitutional court (1939 – ) - Magnus MalanMagnus MalanGeneral Magnus André De Merindol Malan was the Minister of Defence , Chief of the South African Defence Force and Chief of the South African Army.-Early life:...
, minister of defence and chief of the South African Defence Force (1930 – ) - Cecil MargoCecil MargoJudge Cecil Stanley Margo was a member of the South African judiciary. He was the fifth child of Saul Lewis Margo and Amelia Hilson, South African immigrants of eastern European Jewish descent.-Early life and studies:He received his law degree at the University of the Witwatersrand and was called...
, judge (1915–2000) - Bulelani NgcukaBulelani NgcukaBulelani T Ngcuka was the first national Director of Public Prosecutions in South Africa, and is the husband of former Deputy President of South Africa Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. He was embroiled in controversy after being accused of being an apartheid spy...
, director of public prosecutions (1954 – ) - Albie SachsAlbie SachsAlbie Sachs was a judge on the Constitutional Court of South Africa. He was appointed to the court by Nelson Mandela in 1994 and retired in October 2009...
, justice in constitutional court (1935 – ) - Jackie SelebiJackie SelebiJacob Sello Selebi is the former national commissioner of the South African Police Service, and a former president of Interpol. In January 2008, Selebi was put on extended leave as national police commissioner, and resigned as president of Interpol, after he was charged with corruption in his...
, national commissioner of police (1950 – ) - Percy SonnPercy SonnPercival Henry Frederick Sonn 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, in July 2006...
, former head of the Directorate of Special Operations (1947–2007) - Sir Robert Clarkson TredgoldRobert Clarkson TredgoldSir Robert Clarkson Tredgold was a British barrister and judge who held a number of political posts in Rhodesia....
, Chief Justice of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1899–1977) - Percy YutarPercy YutarDr. Percy Yutar was South Africa’s first Jewish attorney-general. Yutar was one of eight children in a family of Lithuanian immigrants...
, South Africa’s first Jewish attorney-general and prosecutor of Nelson Mandela in the 1963 Rivonia Treason Trial (1911–2002)
Activists and trade unionists
- Winnie Madikizela-MandelaWinnie Madikizela-MandelaWinnie Madikizela-Mandela is a South African politician who has held several government positions and headed the African National Congress Women's League. She is currently a member of the ANC's National Executive Committee...
(1936 – ) - Zackie AchmatZackie AchmatZackie Achmat is a South African activist, most widely known as founder and chairman of the Treatment Action Campaign and for his work on the behalf of people living with HIV and AIDS in South Africa.-Early life:...
, AIDS activist (1962 – ) - Neil AggettNeil AggettNeil Aggett was a white South African trade union leader and labour activist who died whilst in detention after being arrested by the South African Security Police.-Life and Death:...
, political activist and trade unionist (c. 1953 – 1982) - Jeremy BaskinJeremy BaskinJeremy Baskin is a specialist in sustainable business practice. He is a Director of the University of Cambridge's Programme for Industry, running a global programme on Business & Poverty and a range of other programmes in Australia...
, trade unionist (1956 – ) - Edward BhenguEdward BhenguEdward 'Sonnyboy' Bhengu was a South African activist and founding member of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania....
, founder member of the PAC (1934–2010) - Steve BikoSteve BikoStephen Biko was a noted anti-apartheid activist in South Africa in the 1960s and 1970s. A student leader, he later founded the Black Consciousness Movement which would empower and mobilize much of the urban black population. Since his death in police custody, he has been called a martyr of the...
, nonviolentNonviolenceNonviolence has two meanings. It can refer, first, to a general philosophy of abstention from violence because of moral or religious principle It can refer to the behaviour of people using nonviolent action Nonviolence has two (closely related) meanings. (1) It can refer, first, to a general...
political activist (1946–1977) - Chris HaniChris HaniChris Hani, 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 . He was a fierce opponent of the apartheid government...
, political activist (1942–1993) - Irene GrootboomIrene GrootboomIrene Grootboom 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 housing for the residents of Cape Town's Wallacedene informal settlement...
, housing rights activist (c. 1969 – 2008) - Ruth HaymanRuth HaymanRuth Hayman was a lawyer and anti-apartheid campaigner. She was one of the first women in South Africa to qualify as an attorney. Through the Black Sash organisation, Hayman offered free legal advice to many people, usually women, who had approached the Black Sash Advice Centre in Johannesburg,...
, anti-apartheid campaigner ( – 1981) - Ahmed KathradaAhmed KathradaAhmed Mohamed Kathrada is a South African politician and former political prisoner and anti-apartheid activist....
, political activist (1929 – ) - Adolph MalanAdolph MalanAdolph Gysbert Malan DSO & Bar DFC & Bar , better known as Sailor Malan, was a famed South African World War II RAF fighter pilot who led No. 74 Squadron RAF during the height of the Battle of Britain. Malan was known for sending German bomber pilots home with dead crews as a warning to other...
, fighter pilot and civil rights activist (1910–1963) - Govan MbekiGovan MbekiGovan Archibald Mvuyelwa Mbeki was a South African politician, and father of the former South African president Thabo Mbeki and political economist Moeletsi Mbeki...
, political activist and father of Thabo Mbeki (1910–2001) - Robert McBride, anti-apartheid assassin and later police chief (1963 – )
- Fatima MeerFatima MeerFatima Meer was a South African writer, academic, screenwriter, and prominent anti-apartheid activist.-Early life:...
, scientist and political activist (1928 – ) - Vuyisile MiniVuyisile MiniVuyisile Mini 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 :...
, unionist and Umkhonto we SizweUmkhonto we SizweUmkhonto we Sizwe , translated "Spear of the Nation," was the armed wing of the African National Congress which fought against the South African apartheid government. MK launched its first guerrilla attacks against government installations on 16 December 1961...
activist (1920–1964) - Elias MotsoalediElias MotsoalediElias Motsoaledi was one of the eight men sentenced to life imprisonment at the Rivonia Trial.-Early Life and Family:...
, political activist (1924–1994) - Victoria MxengeVictoria MxengeVictoria Mxenge, was a South African anti-apartheid activist. Trained as a nurse and midwife, she began practising law....
, anti-apartheid activist (1942–1985) - Lilian NgoyiLilian NgoyiLillian Masediba Ngoyi "Ma Ngoyi", , was a South African anti-apartheid activist. She was the first woman elected to the executive committee of the African National Congress, and helped launch the Federation of South African Women.Ngoyi joined the ANC Women's League in 1952; she was at that stage a...
, anti-apartheid activist (1911–1980) - Rachel SimonsRachel SimonsRachel Simons was a South African communist and trade unionist who helped draft the Women's Charter.She was born in Latvia as Rachel Alexander and immigrated to Cape Town in 1929...
, communist and trade unionist (1914–2004) - Albertina SisuluAlbertina SisuluNontsikelelo Albertina Sisulu was a black South African anti–apartheid activist, and the widow of fellow activist Walter Sisulu . She was affectionately known as Ma Sisulu throughout her lifetime by the South African public. In 2004 she was voted 57th in the SABC3's Great South Africans...
, political activist and wife of Walter Sisulu (1919 – ) - Walter SisuluWalter SisuluWalter Max Ulyate Sisulu was a South African anti-apartheid activist and member of the African National Congress .-Family and Education:...
, political activist (1912–2003) - Robert SobukweRobert SobukweRobert Mangaliso Sobukwe was a South African political dissident, who founded the Pan Africanist Congress in opposition to the apartheid regime. In 2004 Sobukwe was voted 42nd in the SABC3's Great South Africans....
, political activist (1924–1978) - Oliver TamboOliver TamboOliver Reginald Tambo was a South African anti-apartheid politician and a central figure in the African National Congress .-Biography:Oliver Tambo was born in Bizana in eastern Pondoland in what is now Eastern Cape...
, political activist (1917–1993) - Khoisan XKhoisan XKhoisan X, formerly Benny Alexander , was a South African political activist born in Kimberley, South Africa.-Early life:...
, political activist (1955–2010)
Apartheid operatives
- Wouter BassonWouter BassonWouter Basson is a South African cardiologist and former head of the country's secret chemical and biological warfare project, Project Coast, during the apartheid era. Nicknamed "Dr...
, apartheid scientist (1950 – ) - Dirk CoetzeeDirk CoetzeeDirk Coetzee was co-founder and commander of the covert South African Police unit based at Vlakplaas. He and his colleagues were involved in a number of atrocities including the murders of Sizwe Khondile and Griffiths Mxenge...
, apartheid covert operative - Eugene de KockEugene de KockEugene de Kock is a former colonel of the South African Police force during Apartheid in South Africa. Dubbed "Prime Evil" by the media, he was the commander of C1 unit of the South African Police counter-insurgency group, well known for kidnapping, torturing and murdering hundreds of...
, apartheid assassin - Clive Derby-LewisClive Derby-LewisClive John Derby-Lewis is a South African ex-politician, who was involved first in the National Party and then, while serving as a Member of Parliament, in the Conservative Party. He is serving a life sentence for his role in the assassination of South African Communist Party leader Chris Hani...
, assassin and former parliamentarian (1936 – ) - Jimmy KrugerJimmy KrugerJames Thomas "Jimmy" Kruger was a South African politician who rose to the position of Minister of Justice and the Police in the cabinet of Prime Minister John Vorster from 1974 to 1979...
, apartheid Minister of Justice and the Police (1917–1987) - Lothar NeethlingLothar NeethlingGeneral Lothar Paul Neethling was chief deputy commissioner of the South African Police in the apartheid era....
, apartheid forensic scientist (1935–2005) - Barend StrydomBarend StrydomBarend Hendrik Strydom, also known as the Wit Wolf , is a convicted spree killer who was sentenced to death for shooting dead seven black people in Strijdom Square in Pretoria, South Africa on November 15, 1988...
, convicted murderer and white supremacist activist (1965 – ) - Eugène Terre'BlancheEugène Terre'BlancheEugène Ney Terre'Blanche was a former member of South Africa's Herstigte Nasionale Party who founded the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging during the apartheid era...
, white supremacist activist (1941–2010) - Adriaan VlokAdriaan VlokAdriaan Johannes Vlok was Minister of Law and Order in South Africa from 1986 to 1991 in the final years of the apartheid era...
, apartheid Minister of Law and Order (1937 – ) - Craig WilliamsonCraig WilliamsonCraig Michael Williamson , a former South African police major, was exposed as a spy in 1980, and was involved in a series of state-sponsored overseas bombings, burglaries, kidnappings, assassinations and propaganda during the apartheid era.-Infiltration:In the late 1970s, Craig Williamson had...
, apartheid spy (1949 – )
Colonial and Union Governors
See also: Cape governors, Natal governors and Governors-General- George GreyGeorge GreyGeorge Grey may refer to:*Sir George Grey, 2nd Baronet , British politician*George Grey, 2nd Earl of Kent *Sir George Grey , Governor of Cape Colony, South Australia and New Zealand...
, Cape governor (1812–1898) - Jan Willem JanssensJan Willem JanssensJonkheer Jan Willem Janssens GCMWO was a Dutch nobleman, soldier and statesman who served both as the governor-general of the Cape Colony and Dutch East Indies.-Early life:...
, Cape governor (1762–1838) - Benjamin PineBenjamin PineSir Benjamin Chilley Campbell Pine was at various times administrator of Natal, the Gold Coast, Antigua, the Leeward Islands and Western Australia.-Life:...
, Natal governor (1809–1891) - Harry Smith, Cape governor 1847–52 (1787–1860)
- Andries Stockenström, governor of British Kaffraria (1792–1964)
- Simon van der StelSimon van der StelSimon van der Stel was the last Commander and first Governor of the Cape Colony, the Dutch settlement at the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.-Background:...
, first Cape governor (1639–1712) - Willem Adriaan van der StelWillem Adriaan van der StelWillem Adriaan van der Stel was appointed as extraordinary Council of the Dutch Indies, and Governor of the Cape Colony, a way station for the Dutch East India Company , from January 23, 1699 to 1707...
, second Cape governor (1664–1723) - Jan van RiebeeckJan van RiebeeckJohan Anthoniszoon "Jan" van Riebeeck was a Dutch colonial administrator and founder of Cape Town.-Biography:...
, founder of Cape settlement (1619–1677) - Nicolaas Jacobus de WetNicolaas Jacobus de WetNicolaas Jacobus de Wet was Chief Justice of South Africa and acting Governor-General from 1943 to 1945.Born in 1873, he obtained a law degree from the University of Cambridge in 1895 and was admitted as an advocate in 1896...
(1873–1960), Chief Justice of South Africa and acting Governor-General
Leaders and politicians
- Ken AndrewKen AndrewKen Andrew is a South African politician. He was born in Cape Town and matriculated from Rondebosch Boys' High School as head boy. Andrew studied at the University of Cape Town were he achieved his BSc degree and later a Masters in business administration...
, politician (1943 – ) - Kader AsmalKader AsmalKader Asmal 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 African Association of International Law. He was married to Louise Parkinson and has two sons...
, an activist, politician and professor of human rights (1934 -) - Sibusiso BenguSibusiso BenguSibusiso Mandlenkosi Emmanuel Bengu is a prominent South African politician.Bengu was born in Kranskop, KwaZulu-Natal and become a teacher in 1952. Sibusiso founded the Dlangezwa High School near Empangeni in 1969 and was principal until 1976...
, politician (1934 – ) - Thozamile BothaThozamile BothaThozamile Botha is a South African politician. He started his political career as a trade unionist and was an executive member of the Congress of South African Trade Unions. Due to the apartheid government he went into exile in 1980 to Lesotho where he worked with Chris Hani...
, politician (1948 – ) - Cheryl CarolusCheryl CarolusCheryl Carolus 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 Front in 1983...
, politician (1958 – ) - Yusuf DadooYusuf DadooYusuf Mohamed Dadoo was a Muslim Indian South African communist and anti-apartheid activist. In his life he was chair of both the South African Indian Congress and the South African Communist Party, as well as being a major proponent of cooperation between those organisations and the African...
, doctor and politician (1909–1983) - Patricia de LillePatricia de LillePatricia de Lille is a South African politician and Mayor of Cape Town. She is also, concurrently, the leader of the Independent Democrats, a South African political party which she formed in 2003 during a floor-crossing window...
, politician (1951 – ) - Nkosazana Dlamini-ZumaNkosazana Dlamini-ZumaNkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma is a South African politician and was an anti-apartheid activist. She was South Africa's Minister of Health from 1994 to 1999, under President Nelson Mandela, then Minister of Foreign Affairs from 17 June 1999 to 10 May 2009, under Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema...
, politician (1949 – ) - Abba EbanAbba EbanAbba Eban was an Israeli diplomat and politician.In his career he was Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister, Education Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and ambassador to the United States and to the United Nations...
, Israeli diplomat and politician (1915-2002) - De Villiers Graaff, United Party opposition leader (1913–1999)
- Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, journalist and politician (1845–1909)
- Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, academic and politician (1894–1948)
- Danny JordaanDanny JordaanDaniel Alexander "Danny" Jordaan is a South African sports administrator as well as a former lecturer, politician and anti-apartheid activist. He led South Africa's successful 2010 FIFA World Cup bid, the first successful one for Africa. He also led their unsuccessful bid four years earlier for...
, politician and soccer administrator (1951 – ) - Tony LeonTony LeonAnthony James "Tony" Leon is a South African politician who served as leader of the opposition from 1999-2007 as leader of the Democratic Alliance. Although still a member of the DA, he currently serves as the South African Ambassador to Argentina under the ANC government.-Early life:Leon grew up...
, DA opposition leader (1956 – ) - Winnie Madikizela-MandelaWinnie Madikizela-MandelaWinnie Madikizela-Mandela is a South African politician who has held several government positions and headed the African National Congress Women's League. She is currently a member of the ANC's National Executive Committee...
, politician and 2nd wife of Nelson Mandela (1936 – ) - Trevor ManuelTrevor ManuelTrevor Andrew Manuel is a South African politician, currently serving in the Cabinet of South Africa as Minister in the Presidency in charge of the National Planning Commission...
, minister of finance (1956 – ) - Roelf MeyerRoelf MeyerRoelof Petrus Meyer, born in Port Elizabeth on 16 July 1947 as the son of a farmer, is a South African politician and businessman.After completing school in Ficksburg, he studied law at the University of the Free State and finished with B Comm and LLB degrees. At the university, he was president...
, politician and businessman (1947 – ) - Phumzile Mlambo-NgcukaPhumzile Mlambo-NgcukaPhumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is a South African politician who was Deputy President of South Africa from 2005 to 2008. She was the first woman to hold the position and was the highest ranking woman in the history of South Africa...
, deputy president (1955 – ) - Gagathura (Monty) Mohambry NaickerMonty NaickerGagathura Mohambry Naicker was a medical doctor and a South African anti-apartheid activist of Indian Tamil descent.-Early Life:His father was a trader, exporting bananas....
, medical doctor and politician (1910–1978) - Bulelani NgcukaBulelani NgcukaBulelani T Ngcuka was the first national Director of Public Prosecutions in South Africa, and is the husband of former Deputy President of South Africa Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. He was embroiled in controversy after being accused of being an apartheid spy...
, politician (1954 – ) - Dullah OmarDullah OmarAbdullah Mohamed Omar , better known as Dullah Omar, was a South African anti-Apartheid activist, lawyer, and a minister in the South African cabinet from 1994 till his death.-Early life and education:...
, politician (1934–2004) - Andries PretoriusAndries PretoriusAndries Wilhelmus Jacobus Pretorius was a leader of the Boers who was instrumental in the creation of the Transvaal Republic, as well as the earlier but short-lived Natalia Republic, in present-day South Africa....
, BoerBoerBoer is the Dutch and Afrikaans word for farmer, which came to denote the descendants of the Dutch-speaking settlers of the eastern Cape frontier in Southern Africa during the 18th century, as well as those who left the Cape Colony during the 19th century to settle in the Orange Free State,...
leader and commandant-general (1799–1853) - Deneys ReitzDeneys ReitzDeneys Reitz , son of Francis William Reitz, was a Boer soldier, later a South African soldier in the First World War, and a politician....
, boer commando, deputy Prime Minister and High Commissioner to London (1882–1944) - Pixley ka Isaka SemePixley ka Isaka SemePixley ka Isaka Seme was a founder and President of the African National Congress.He was born in the Colony of Natal at the Inanda mission station of the American Zulu Mission of American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions...
, ANC founder member (1881–1951) - Mbhazima ShilowaMbhazima ShilowaMbhazima Samuel Shilowa 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 opposition Congress of the People, with whom he is the Deputy President...
, trade unionist and premier (1958 – ) - Joe SlovoJoe SlovoFor Joe Slovo Informal Settlement in Cape Town, see: Joe Slovo .Joe Slovo was a South African politician, long-time leader of the South African Communist Party , and leading member of the African National Congress.-Life:Slovo was born in Obeliai, Lithuania to a Jewish family who emigrated to South...
, politician (1926–1995) - Harry SchwarzHarry SchwarzHarry Heinz Schwarz was a South African lawyer, statesman and long-time political opposition leader against apartheid, who eventually served as the South African ambassador to the United States during the country’s transition to representative democracy.Schwarz rose from the childhood poverty he...
, lawyer, politician, ambassador to United States and anti-apartheid leader (1924–2010) - Helen SuzmanHelen SuzmanHelen Suzman, DBE was a South African anti-apartheid activist and politician.-Biography:Helen Suzman, a life-long citizen of South Africa, was born as Helen Gavronsky in 1917 to Jewish immigrants....
, politician (1917–2009) - Catherine Taylor, politician (1914–1992)
- Frederik van Zyl SlabbertFrederik van Zyl SlabbertFrederik van Zyl Slabbert was a South African political analyst, businessman and politician. He is best known for having been the leader of the official opposition — the Progressive Federal Party — in the House of Assembly from 1979 to 1986.-Early life, education and academic career:Born in...
, PFP opposition leader (1940–2010 ) - Helen ZilleHelen ZilleHelen Zille is the Premier of the Western Cape, a member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, leader of South Africa's opposition Democratic Alliance political party, and a former Mayor of Cape Town.Zille is a former journalist and anti-apartheid activist, and famously exposed the truth...
, DA opposition leader, current Premier of the Western Cape (1951 – ) - Jacob ZumaJacob ZumaJacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma is the President of South Africa, elected by parliament following his party's victory in the 2009 general election....
, Current President (1942 – )
Prime Ministers and Presidents
- Jacobus Boshoff, 2nd President of the Orange Free StateOrange Free StateThe Orange Free State was an independent Boer republic in southern Africa during the second half of the 19th century, and later a British colony and a province of the Union of South Africa. It is the historical precursor to the present-day Free State province...
(1808–1881) - Louis BothaLouis BothaLouis Botha was an Afrikaner and first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa—the forerunner of the modern South African state...
, Boer commander-in-chief and 1st Prime Minister of South Africa (1862–1919) - Pieter Willem BothaPieter Willem BothaPieter Willem Botha , commonly known as "P. W." and Die Groot Krokodil , was the prime minister of South Africa from 1978 to 1984 and the first executive state president from 1984 to 1989.First elected to Parliament in 1948, Botha was for eleven years head of the Afrikaner National Party and the...
, 9th and last Prime Minister and 8th State President of South Africa (1916–2006) - Johannes Henricus BrandJan BrandSir Johannes Henricus Brand, GCMG was a South African lawyer and politician, and the fourth state president of the Orange Free State, from 2 February 1864 until his death in 1888...
, 4th President of the Orange Free State (1823–1888) - Thomas Francois BurgersThomas Francois Burgers-Literature:...
, 4th President of South African Republic (1871–1877) - Schalk Willem BurgerSchalk Willem BurgerSchalk Willem Burger was a South African military leader, lawyer, and statesman, and was acting President of the South African Republic from 1900 to 1902, whilst Paul Kruger was in exile.-Military service:...
, 6th and last President of South African RepublicSouth African RepublicThe South African Republic , often informally known as the Transvaal Republic, was an independent Boer-ruled country in Southern Africa during the second half of the 19th century. Not to be confused with the present-day Republic of South Africa, it occupied the area later known as the South African...
(1852–1918) - Frederik Willem de KlerkFrederik Willem de KlerkFrederik Willem de Klerk , often known as F. W. de Klerk, is the former seventh and last State President of apartheid-era South Africa, serving from September 1989 to May 1994...
, 9th and last State President of South Africa (1990–94) and joint Nobel Peace PrizeNobel Peace PrizeThe Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
winner (1936 – ) - Nicolaas Johannes DiederichsNicolaas Johannes DiederichsNicolaas Diederichs served as the third State President of South Africa from 1975 to 1978.An economist, Diederichs obtained a doctorate from the University of Leiden. During the 1930s and 1940s he became a prominent figure in Afrikaner nationalist circles...
, 4th State President of South Africa (1903–1978) - Jacobus Johannes FouchéJacobus Johannes FouchéJacobus Johannes Fouché served as the second President of South Africa from 1968 to 1975.Born in the Boer republic of the Orange Free State , Fouché was a successful farmer...
, 3rd State President of South Africa (1898–1980) - James Barry Munnik HertzogJames Barry Munnik HertzogJames Barry Munnik Hertzog, better known as J. B. M. Hertzog was a Boer general during the second Anglo-Boer War who later went on to become Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa from 1924 to 1939...
, Boer general and 3rd Prime Minister of South Africa (1866–1942) - Josias Hoffman, 1st President of the Orange Free State (1807–1879)
- Petrus Jacobus JoubertPetrus Jacobus JoubertPetrus Jacobus Joubert , better known as Piet Joubert was Commandant-General of the South African Republic from 1880 to 1900.-Early life:...
, Boer general and member of the Troika in the South African Republic (1834–1900) - Paul KrugerPaul KrugerStephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger , better known as Paul Kruger and affectionately known as Uncle Paul was State President of the South African Republic...
, member of the Troika, 5th President of South African RepublicSouth African RepublicThe South African Republic , often informally known as the Transvaal Republic, was an independent Boer-ruled country in Southern Africa during the second half of the 19th century. Not to be confused with the present-day Republic of South Africa, it occupied the area later known as the South African...
(1825–1904) - Daniel François MalanDaniel François MalanDaniel François Malan , more commonly known as D.F. Malan, was the Prime Minister of South Africa from 1948 to 1954. He is seen as a champion of Afrikaner nationalism. His National Party government came to power on the program of apartheid and began its comprehensive implementation.- Biography...
, 5th Prime Minister of South Africa and is responsible for laying the groundwork for Apartheid (1874–1959) - Nelson MandelaNelson MandelaNelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
, 1st democratically elected President of South Africa and joint Nobel Peace PrizeNobel Peace PrizeThe Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
winner (1918 – ) - Thabo MbekiThabo MbekiThabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is a South African politician who served two terms as the second post-apartheid President of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008. He is also the brother of Moeletsi Mbeki...
, 2nd President of South Africa (1942 – ) - John X. MerrimanJohn X. MerrimanJohn Xavier Merriman was the last prime minister of the Cape Colony before the formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910.-Early life:...
, last prime minister of the Cape Colony (1841–1926) - Kgalema Motlanthe, 3rd President of South Africa (1949 – )
- Jozua François NaudéJozua François NaudéJozua François Naudé served as Acting State President of South Africa from 1967 to 1968.A National Party politician for many years, he served as Minister of Posts and Telegraphs from 1950 to 1954, as Minister of Health from 1954 to 1958, and as Minister of Finance from 1958 to 1961...
, 2nd State President of South Africa (1889–1969) - Marthinus Wessel PretoriusMarthinus Wessel PretoriusThe son of the famous Voortrekker leader Andries Pretorius, Marthinus Wessel Pretorius was the first president of the South African Republic, and also compiled the constitution of the Republic....
, 3rd President of the Orange Free State, 1st and 3rd President of the ZAR (1819–1901) - Francis William ReitzFrancis William ReitzFrancis William Reitz, Jr. was a South African lawyer, politician, statesman, publicist and poet, member of parliament of the Cape Colony, Chief Justice and fifth State President of the Orange Free State, State Secretary of the South African Republic at the time of the Second Boer War, and the...
, 5th President of the Orange Free State (1844–1934) - Jan SmutsJan SmutsJan Christiaan Smuts, OM, CH, ED, KC, FRS, PC was a prominent South African and British Commonwealth statesman, military leader and philosopher. In addition to holding various cabinet posts, he served as Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa from 1919 until 1924 and from 1939 until 1948...
, Boer general, British field marshal, 2nd and 4th Prime Minister of South Africa (1870–1950) - Johannes StrijdomJohannes Gerhardus StrijdomJohannes Gerhardus Strijdom, commonly called JG Strydom or Hans Strydom , nicknamed the Lion of the North, was Prime Minister of South Africa from 30 November 1954 to 24 August 1958...
, 6th Prime Minister of South Africa (1893–1958) - Martinus Theunis SteynMartinus Theunis SteynMartinus Theunis Steyn was a South African lawyer, politician, and statesman, sixth and last president of the independent Orange Free State from 1896 to 1902....
, 6th and last President of the Orange Free State (1857–1916) - Charles Robberts SwartCharles Robberts SwartCharles Robberts Swart served as the last Governor-General of Union of South Africa from 1960 to 1961 and the first State President of the Republic of South Africa from 1961 to 1967.-Early life:...
, last Governor-General of the Union of South Africa and 1st State President of the RSA (1894–1982) - Hendrik Frensch VerwoerdHendrik Frensch VerwoerdHendrik Frensch Verwoerd , commonly identified as H.F. Verwoerd, was Prime Minister of South Africa from 1958 until his assassination in 1966...
, 7th Prime Minister of South Africa and primary architect of Apartheid (1901–1966) - Marais ViljoenMarais ViljoenMarais Viljoen was the last ceremonial State President of South Africa from 4 June 1979 until 3 September 1984. Viljoen became the last of the ceremonial presidents of South Africa when he was succeeded in 1984 by an executive president, P. W. Botha.- Early life :Viljoen was the youngest of six...
, 5th and 7th State President of South Africa (1915–2007) - Balthazar Johannes VorsterB.J. VorsterBalthazar Johannes Vorster , better known as John Vorster, served as the Prime Minister of South Africa from 1966 to 1978 and as the fourth State President of South Africa from 1978 to 1979...
, 8th Prime Minister and 6th State President of South Africa (1915–1983) - Jacob ZumaJacob ZumaJacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma is the President of South Africa, elected by parliament following his party's victory in the 2009 general election....
, 4th President of South Africa (1942–)
Royalty
- Cetshwayo kaMpandeCetshwayoCetshwayo kaMpande was the King of the Zulu Kingdom from 1872 to 1879 and their leader during the Anglo-Zulu War . His name has been transliterated as Cetawayo, Cetewayo, Cetywajo and Ketchwayo.- Early life :...
, 4th Zulu king (1826–1884) - Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomonCyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomonCyprian Bhekuzulu Nyangayezizwe kaSolomon was the king of the Zulu nation from 1948 until his death at Nongoma in 1968. He succeeded his father, king Solomon kaDinuzulu, after a lengthy succession dispute which was only resolved in 1944...
, 7th Zulu king (1924–1945) - Goodwill Zwelethini, 8th and current king of the Zulu nation (1948 – )
- Dingane kaSenzangakhonaDinganeDingane kaSenzangakhona Zulu —commonly referred to as Dingane or Dingaan—was a Zulu chief who became king of the Zulu Kingdom in 1828...
, 2nd Zulu king and half-brother of Shaka (1795–1840) - Dinuzulu kaCetshwayoDinuzuluDinuzulu kaCetshwayo was the king of the Zulu nation from 20 May 1884 until his death in 1913.He succeeded his father Cetshwayo, who was the last king of the Zulus to be officially recognized as such by the British...
, 5th Zulu king (1868–1913) not officially recognized - Mangosuthu ButheleziMangosuthu ButheleziInkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi is a South African Zulu politician who founded the Inkatha Freedom Party in 1975 and continues to lead the party today.His praise name is Shenge.-Early life:...
, politician and a Zulu prince (1928 – ) - uZibhebhu kaMaphithaUsibepuZibhebhu kaMaphitha was a Zulu chief 1883-1884; rival of Cetshwayo.Zibhebhu was a son of Maphita, son of Sojiyisa. He was one of the 13 'kinglets' allocated land in the aftermath of the Anglo-Zulu War, and vied for the royal succession with another of Cetshwayo's sons, Dinuzulu...
, Zulu prince and chief (1841–1904) - Masalanabo ModjadjiMasalanabo ModjadjiMasalanabo Modjadji II was the second Rain Queen of the South African Balobedu tribe. Masalanabo reigned from 1854 to 1894. She was preceded by Rain Queen Maselekwane Modjadji I and succeeded by Rain Queen Khetoane Modjadji III....
, Balobedu's 2nd Rain Queen (died 1894) - Khetoane ModjadjiKhetoane ModjadjiKhesetoane Modjadji III became the third Rain Queen from the South African Balobedu tribe of the South African Limpopo Province. Khesetoane reigned from 1895 to 1959. She was preceded by Rain Queen Masalanabo Modjadji and succeeded by Rain Queen Makoma Modjadji.In 1894 her predecessor, Masalanabo...
, Balobedu's 3rd Rain Queen (1869–1959) - Makoma ModjadjiMakoma ModjadjiRain Queen Makoma Modjadji IV was the fourth Rain Queen of the Balobedu tribe of the Limpopo Province of South Africa, succeeding her mother, Khetoane Modjadji in 1959 and reigning until her death. She married Andreas Maake, with whom she had several children. She was succeeded by her eldest...
, Balobedu's 4th Rain Queen (1905–1980) - Mokope ModjadjiMokope ModjadjiMokope Modjadji V was the fifth Rain Queen of the Balobedu tribe in the Limpopo Province of South Africa from 1981 until her death in 2001.-Life:Mokope Modjadji was very traditional in her role as Rain Queen...
, Balobedu's 5th Rain Queen (1936–2001) - Makobo ModjadjiMakobo ModjadjiMakobo Modjadji VI was the 6th in a line of the Balobedu tribe's Rain Queens. It is said that Makobo Modjadji had the ability to control the clouds and rivers. Makobo was crowned on 16 April 2003 at the age of 25 after the death of her predecessor and grandmother, Queen Mokope Modjadji...
, Balobedu's 6th Rain Queen (1978–2005) - MpandeMpandeMpande , uMsimude owavela ngesiluba phakathi kwamaNgisi namaQadasi, as he was praised, was king of the Zulu nation from 1840 to 1872, making him the longest reigning Zulu king. He was a half-brother of Shaka and Dingane, who both preceded him as kings of the Zulu...
, 3rd Zulu king and half-brother of Shaka (1798–1872) - MzilikaziMzilikaziMzilikazi , also sometimes called Mosilikatze, was a Southern African king who founded the Matabele kingdom , Matabeleland, in what became Rhodesia and is now Zimbabwe. He was born the son of Matshobana near Mkuze, Zululand and died at Ingama, Matabeleland...
, king of the Matabele (c. 1790 – 1868) - SekhukhuneSekhukhuneSekhukhune , was king of the Marota , in the current Mpumalanga province, Limpopo province, Gauteng province of South Africa. He became king upon his father's death in September 1861, and lived at a mountain, now known as Thaba Ya Sekhukhune, which he fortified.The Marota lived in the land between...
, king of the Marota (or Bapedi) (1814–1882) - ShakaShakaShaka kaSenzangakhona , also known as Shaka Zulu , was the most influential leader of the Zulu Kingdom....
, founder of the Zulu nation (1787–1828) - Solomon kaDinuzuluSolomon kaDinuzuluSolomon kaDinuzulu was the king of the Zulu nation from 1913 until his death on 4 March 1933 at Kambi. He was born on the island of St. Helena during the exile there of his father, king Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo....
, 6th Zulu king (1891–1933) not officially recognized
Tribal leaders and prophets
See also: Gcaleka rulers, Ndwandwe people, Xhosa Chiefs, Zulus- Hintsa kaKhawuta, amaXhosa chief (1789–1835)
- Khawuta kaGcaleka, amaXhosa chief (c. 1761 – 1804)
- Adam KokAdam Kok IIIAdam Kok III was a leader of the Griqua people in South Africa .The son of Adam Kok II, he grew up and was educated in the town of Philippolis in Transorangia...
, Griqua leader (1811–1875) - Thandatha Jongilizwe MabandlaThandatha Jongilizwe MabandlaChief Justice Thandathu Jongilizwe Mabandla is currently the chief of the AmaBhele Tribe in Alice . He was born on 16 April 1926 and is the eldest son of the late Chief Mbovane Mabandla....
, amaBhele chief, Tyume Valley, Alice, Ciskei (1926 – ) - Makhanda, amaXhosa prophet ( – 1820)
- Chief MqaloChief MqaloChief Mbuso Alphin Mqalo was the chief of the Amakhuze Tribe in Alice, South Africa and the oldest chief of the Rharhabe Kingdom. His reign was from the early 1960s to 2006....
, Amakhuze chief, Ciskei region (1916–2008) - Moshoeshoe IMoshoeshoe IMoshoeshoe was born at Menkhoaneng in the Northern part of present-day Lesotho. He was the first son of Mokhachane, a minor chief of the Bamokoteli lineage- a branch of the Koena clan. In his early childhood, he helped his father gain power over some other smaller clans. At the age of 34...
, Basotho chief (c. 1786 – 1870) - NgubengcukaNgubengcukaNgubengcuka was the king of the Thembu people, in the southern part of the Transkei region of South Africa. Known as Inkosi Enkhulu , Ngubengcuka united the Thembu nation before it was subjected to British colonial rule...
, prominent chief of the Thembu amaXhosa ( – 1832) - NongqawuseNongqawuseNongqawuse was the Xhosa prophetess whose prophecies led to a millennialist movement that culminated in the Xhosa cattle-killing crisis of 1856–1857, in what is now the Eastern Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa....
, millennialist amaXhosa prophetess (c. 1840s – 1898) - Sarili kaHintsa, amaXhosa chief (c. 1810 – 1892)
- Sigananda kaSokufaSigananda kaSokufaSigananda kaSokufa was a Zulu aristocrat whose life spanned the reigns of four Zulu kings in southeastern Africa.-Life and career:...
, Zulu aristocrat (c. 1815 – 1906) - Hendrik SpoorbekHendrik SpoorbekHeinrich Schörbeck was a renowned seer, healer and magician who settled in South Africa around 1811...
, prophet and magician ( – 1845)
Atheists
- Zackie AchmatZackie AchmatZackie Achmat is a South African activist, most widely known as founder and chairman of the Treatment Action Campaign and for his work on the behalf of people living with HIV and AIDS in South Africa.-Early life:...
, AIDS activist, (1962 – ) - David BenatarDavid BenatarDavid Benatar is professor of philosophy and head of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Cape Town in Cape Town, South Africa. He is best known for his advocacy of antinatalism in his book Better Never to Have Been: The Harm of Coming into Existence, in which he argues that coming...
, professor of philosophy - Barry DukeBarry DukeBarry Duke is a journalist, atheist, gay rights activist and currently the editor of The Freethinker.-Life and career:...
, activist, journalist, editor of The Freethinker (1947 – ) - Nadine GordimerNadine GordimerNadine Gordimer is a South African writer and political activist. She was awarded the 1991 Nobel Prize in Literature when she was recognised as a woman "who through her magnificent epic writing has – in the words of Alfred Nobel – been of very great benefit to humanity".Her writing has long dealt...
, activist, writer, Nobel laureate (1923 – ) - Ronnie KasrilsRonnie KasrilsRonald Kasrils is a South African politician. He was Minister for Intelligence Services from 27 April 2004 to 25 September 2008...
, politician - Jacques RousseauJacques Rousseau (activist)Jacques Andre Rousseau is a South African secular activist and social commentator.Rousseau was born in Cape Town in 1971. He is a philosopher who currently teaches ethics and critical thinking in the Commerce Faculty at the University of Cape Town, South Africa...
, activist, social commentator (1971 – ) - Harold RubinHarold RubinHarold Rubin is a South African-born Israeli visual artist and free jazz clarinettist.-Biography:Harold Rubin was born in Johannesburg, South Africa on 13 May 1932. He attended the Jeppe High School for Boys and received private instruction in the fine arts...
, visual artist, musician (1932 – ) - Joe SlovoJoe SlovoFor Joe Slovo Informal Settlement in Cape Town, see: Joe Slovo .Joe Slovo was a South African politician, long-time leader of the South African Communist Party , and leading member of the African National Congress.-Life:Slovo was born in Obeliai, Lithuania to a Jewish family who emigrated to South...
, politician (1926–1995) - Lewis WolpertLewis WolpertLewis Wolpert CBE FRS FRSL is a developmental biologist, author, and broadcaster.-Career:Wolpert was educated at the University of Witwatersrand , at Imperial College London, and at King's College London...
, author, biologist, broadcaster (1929 – ) - John Odendaal, writer of theology interpretations (1980 – )
Prelates, clerics and evangelists
- William AndersonWilliam Anderson (missionary)The Reverend William Anderson of Griquatown was an English Christian missionary who relocated to South Africa under the auspices of the London Missionary Society. He was one of the earliest missionaries in the region...
, missionary (1769–1852) - Allan BoesakAllan BoesakReverend Allan Aubrey Boesak is a South African Dutch Reformed Church cleric and politician and anti-apartheid activist...
, cleric and anti-apartheid activist (1945 – ) - Angus BuchanAngus BuchanAngus Buchan was originally a Zambian maize and cattle farmer of Scottish descent who started farming in Zambia but was forced to sell everything and move to Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in 1978 due to political unrest in that country....
, evangelist (1947 – ) - Frank ChikaneFrank ChikaneFrank Chikane is a South African civil servant, writer and cleric. He is a member of the African National Congress.-Biography:...
, cleric and anti-apartheid activist (1951 – ) - John William ColensoJohn William ColensoJohn William Colenso , first Anglican bishop of Natal, mathematician, theologian, Biblical scholar and social activist.-Biography:Colenso was born at St Austell, Cornwall, on 24 January 1814...
, Anglican bishop of Natal (1814–1883) - S.J. du ToitRev S.J. du ToitReverend Stephanus Jacobus du Toit was a South African who pioneered the recognition of the Afrikaans language. He was the leader and one of the founder members of the Genootskap van Regte Afrikaners which later merged with the Zuidafrikaansche Boeren Beschermings Vereeniging...
, cleric, Afrikaans language pioneer and founder member of the Genootskap vir Regte Afrikaners (1847–1911) - Allan HendrickseAllan HendrickseHelenard Joe Hendrickse was a South African politician, Congregationalist minister, and teacher. He participated in an act of defiance by swimming at a South African beach reserved for whites only. He was born in Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape and died of a heart attack at Port Elizabeth's airport...
, cleric and MP (1927–2005) - Albert Luthuli, cleric, politician and 1960 Nobel Peace PrizeNobel Peace PrizeThe Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
winner (c. 1898 – 1967) - Charlotte MaxekeCharlotte MaxekeCharlotte Makgomo Maxeke , a South African religious leader and political activist, was born at Ramokgopa near Polokwane. As a young girl she sang in concerts and while on tour to Canada and the United States she was offered a scholarship to study at Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio...
, religious leader and political activist (1874–1939) - Ray McCauleyRay McCauleyBorn Raynor McCauleyRay McCauley is a prominent South African religious leader, Senior Pastor of , President of , author and former champion body builder.-Early life:...
, head of Rhema church (1949 – ) - Robert MoffatRobert MoffatRobert Moffat was a Scottish Congregationalist missionary to Africa, and father in law of David Livingstone....
, missionary, Bible translator and founder of Kuruman (1795–1883) - Beyers NaudéBeyers NaudéChristiaan Frederick Beyers Naudé was a South African cleric, theologian and the leading Afrikaner anti-apartheid activist...
, cleric and anti-apartheid activist (1915–2004) - Albert NolanAlbert NolanAlbert Nolan, O.P. is a Roman Catholic priest and member of the Dominican order in South Africa.- Life :Nolan was born in Cape Town, South Africa, as a fourth-generation South African of English descent. Reading the works of Thomas Merton, Nolan became attracted to the idea of religious life...
, Catholic priest (1934 – ) - John PhilipJohn Philip (missionary)Dr John Philip , was a missionary in South Africa. Philip was born at Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland to a local schoolmaster...
, missionary (1775–1851) - Desmond TutuDesmond TutuDesmond Mpilo Tutu is a South African activist and retired Anglican bishop who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid...
, cleric and Nobel Peace PrizeNobel Peace PrizeThe Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
winner (1931 – )
Sport
American Football
- Gary Anderson, kicker for Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Minnesota and Tennessee (1959 – )
- Ezra ButlerEzra Butler (American football)Ezra Butler is an American football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League.-Football career:Butler played college football at Nevada....
, linebacker for the New York Jets (1984 – ) - Jerome PathonJerome PathonJerome Pathon is an American football coach and former wide receiver who played eight seasons in the National Football League...
, wide receiver for Indianapolis, New Orleans and Atlanta (1975 – )
Athletics
- Okkert BritsOkkert BritsOkkert Brits is a South African athlete competing in the pole vault. His current personal best of 6.03m, set in 1995, is also the African record. He has won numerous medals at international events. He has competed in the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games finishing 7th in 2000...
, pole-vaulter (1973 – ) - Zola BuddZola BuddZola Pieterse, better known by her maiden name of Zola Budd , is a former Olympic track and field competitor who, in less than three years, twice broke the world record in the women's 5000 metres and twice was the women's winner at the World Cross Country Championships...
, marathon and long-distance runner (1966 – ) - Hestrie CloeteHestrie CloeteHestrie Cloete-Storbeck is a former, highly successful South African high jumper. Her foremost achievements were winning two world championships and two silver medals at Olympic Games.-Career:...
, high jumper (1978 – ) - Bruce FordyceBruce FordyceBruce Fordyce is a South African marathon and ultramarathon athlete. He is best known for having won the South African Comrades Marathon a record nine times, of which eight wins were consecutive. He also won the London to Brighton Marathon three years in a row...
, ultra-marathon runner (1955 – ) - Jacques FreitagJacques FreitagJacques Freitag a South African high jumper. He grew up in Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng . He is 2.04 m and weighs 87 kg. His mother, Hendrina Pieters, was in 1973 a South African high jump champion with PB 1.74m...
, high jumper (1982 – ) - Llewellyn HerbertLlewellyn HerbertLlewellyn Herbert is a South African athlete competing over 400 metres hurdles. He won an Olympic bronze medal in 2000 and set five national records over the distance.-Achievements:-External links:...
, 400m hurdles, Olympic bronze medallist (1977 – ) - Frantz KrugerFrantz KrugerFrantz Kruger is a South African born Finnish discus thrower who won the Olympic bronze medal in 2000. He is also a double African champion...
, discus thrower (1975 – ) - Mbulaeni MulaudziMbulaeni MulaudziMbulaeni Tongai Mulaudzi is a South African middle distance runner, and the 2009 world champion in the men's 800 metres. He carried the flag at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece for his native country...
, middle distance runner, Olympic silver medallist (1980 – ) - Oscar PistoriusOscar PistoriusOscar Leonard Carl Pistorius is a South African sprint runner. Known as the "Blade Runner" and "the fastest man on no legs", Pistorius, who has a double amputation, is the world record holder in the 100, 200 and 400 metres events and runs with the aid of Cheetah Flex-Foot carbon fibre transtibial...
, disabled runner (1986 – ) - Hezekiél SepengHezekiél SepengHezekiél Sello Sepeng , is a South African middle distance runner who came second in the Olympic 800 metres final in Atlanta 1996 , the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the World Championships' final in Seville 1999...
, middle distance runner, Olympic silver medallist (1974 – ) - Josia ThugwaneJosia ThugwaneJosia Thugwane is a South African athlete, best known for winning the gold medal in the marathon race at the 1996 Summer Olympics...
, marathon runner, Olympic gold medallist (1971 – ) - L.J. van ZylL. J. van ZylLouis Jacob van Zyl, known as L.J. van Zyl, is a South African athlete competing in the 400 metre hurdles. He is the South African record holder in the event with a personal best of 47.66 seconds...
, 400m hurdles, Commonwealth Games gold medallist (1985 – )
Baseball
- Barry ArmitageBarry ArmitageBarry Armitage is a South African baseball pitcher. Armitage was the first South African-born baseball player ever to make an appearance in any Major League Baseball game when he threw an inning for Kansas City Royals against the Houston Astros in a 2005 exhibition game.-Career:Armitage signed...
, pitcher (1979 – ) - Gavin FinglesonGavin FinglesonGavin Fingleson is an Australian switch hitting former professional baseball player. Primarily a second baseman, he has also played designated hitter, third base and first base.-Early life:...
, second baseman (1979 – ), silver medalSilver medalA silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
ist for Australia in 2004 Athens Olympics
Basketball
- Steve NashSteve NashStephen John "Steve" Nash, OC, OBC is a South African-born Canadian professional basketball player who plays point guard for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association . Nash enjoyed a successful high-school basketball career, and he was eventually given a scholarship by Santa Clara...
, point guard for the Phoenix Suns (1974 – ) - Thabo SefoloshaThabo SefoloshaThabo Patrick Sefolosha is a Swiss professional basketball shooting guard who plays for Fenerbahçe Ülker in Turkey. He is also under contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA, but is playing overseas because of the 2011 NBA lockout....
, shooting guard for Chicago and Oklahoma City (1984 – ) - Irene van DykIrene van DykIrene van Dyk, MNZM is one of the world's best-known netball players and the most capped player of all time....
, played for South Africa and New Zealand
Boxing
- Cassius BaloyiCassius BaloyiCassius Baloyi, , is a professional boxer.-Professional career:Known as "Mr. Shy Guy", Baloyi turned pro in 1994 and captured the Vacant IBF Super Featherweight Title in 2005 with a TKO win over Manuel Medina...
, featherweight boxer (1974 – ) - Mike BernardoMike BernardoMichael "Mike" Bernardo is a South African former kickboxer and boxer from Cape Town. Bernardo is known as Beru-chan in Japan, where he has taken part in K-1 World GPs since 1994...
, boxer, kickboxer, mixed martial arts fighter (1969 – ) - Francois BothaFrancois BothaFrancois Botha , also known as Frans Botha, is a South African boxer, nicknamed the "White Buffalo". Botha won the vacant IBF heavyweight title in 1995 when he outpointed Axel Schulz in Germany...
, heavyweight boxer (1968 – ) - Gerrie CoetzeeGerrie CoetzeeGerhardus Christian Coetzee , better known as Gerrie Coetzee, is a South African former boxer. He made history twice: he was the first boxer from the African continent ever to fight for the World Heavyweight Title, and the first to win the World Heavyweight Title...
, World Boxing AssociationWorld Boxing AssociationThe World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
heavyweight champion (1955 – ) - Pierre CoetzerPierre CoetzerPierre Coetzer is a former Heavyweight boxer from Pretoria, South Africa. Coetzer’s most notable fights were probably those against Johnny DuPlooy, Riddick Bowe, Frank Bruno and George Foreman....
, heavyweight boxer, (1961 – ) - Thomas Hamilton-BrownThomas Hamilton-BrownThomas Hamilton-Brown is a South African boxer who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.He was born in Cape Town.In 1936 he was eliminated in the first round of the lightweight class after losing his fight to Carlos Lillo...
, 1936 Summer Olympics lightweight (1916 – ) - Kallie KnoetzeKallie KnoetzeKallie Knoetze was a South African heavyweight boxer.-Boxing career:...
, heavyweight boxer (1953 – ) - "Baby" Jakes Matlala, junior flyweight champion (1962 – )
- Brian Mitchell, WBA Super Featherweight Champion 1986 – 1991, IBF Super Featherweight Champion 1991 (1961–)
- Corrie SandersCorrie SandersCornelius "Corrie" Johannes Sanders is a South African former professional boxer. In 2003 he became the WBO heavyweight champion by defeating Wladimir Klitschko via a second-round knock out that is considered one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight boxing history and won Ring Magazine upset of...
, heavyweight boxer (1966 – ) - Mzukisi SikaliMzukisi SikaliMzukisi Sikali, , was a South African boxer who served as a world champion in three different weight categories: junior flyweight, flyweight, and super flyweight.-Murder:...
, flyweight boxer (1971–2005) - Timothy Mchitwa Sibisi flyweight boxer (1964 - )
Canoe
- Shaun RubensteinShaun RubensteinShaun Rubenstein is a South African canoer.-Career:As a junior canoeist, Rubenstein competed in all forms of the sport, from sprints to river marathons. He was a member of the South African junior sprint and flat-water marathon teams, competing internationally...
, canoer (1983 – ), World Marathon champion 2006
Cricket
See also: South African Test cricketers, South African ODI cricketers, South African Twenty20 International cricketers, South African women Test cricketers- Shafiek AbrahamsShafiek AbrahamsShafiek Abrahams is a South African cricket player. He played only one One Day International but no Tests for South Africa in 2000. He was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.- References :*...
, right-arm spin bowler (1968 – ) - Paul AdamsPaul Adams (cricketer)Paul Regan Adams is a former South African cricketer, a chinaman bowler who played for the national team sporadically since the 1990s. Meanwhile, his first class cricket career registered 412 wickets....
, left-arm spin bowler (1977 – ) - Adam BacherAdam BacherAdam Marc Bacher is a South African cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-pace bowler...
, right-handed batsman (1973 – ) - Ali BacherAli BacherAron "Ali" Bacher is a former South African Test cricketer and an administrator of the United Cricket Board of South Africa.-Biography:...
, right-handed batsman and administrator (1942 – ); (relative of Adam BacherAdam BacherAdam Marc Bacher is a South African cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-pace bowler...
) - Edgar John BarlowEddie BarlowEdgar John Barlow was a South African cricketer . Barlow played first-class cricket for Transvaal and Eastern Province from 1959-60 to 1967-68 before moving to Western Province for the seasons from 1968-69 to 1980-81...
, right-arm fast bowler and coach (1940–2005) - Nicky BojeNicky BojeNico "Nicky" Boje is a South African cricketer who played in 43 Tests and 115 One Day Internationals for South Africa, and attended Grey College in Bloemfontein...
, all-rounder (1973 – ) - Tertius BoschTertius BoschTertius Bosch was a South African cricketer who played in one Test and two ODIs in 1992...
, right-arm fast bowler (1966–2000) - Johan Botha, right-arm spin bowler (1982 – )
- Mark BoucherMark BoucherMark Verdon Boucher is a South African cricketer, who holds the record for the most Test dismissals by a wicket-keeper. He was educated at Selborne College and has represented Border, Africa XI, ICC World XI, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders of the Indian Premier League, and...
, wicket-keeper and right-handed batsman (1976 – )
- David CallaghanDavid CallaghanDavid John Callaghan is a former South African cricketer. Despite there being a distance of 8 years between his first and last One Day International, Callaghan only played 29 times for South Africa. His first-class career lasted 19 years, with time being spent in England with Suffolk and...
, all-rounder (1965 – ) - Jimmy CookJimmy CookStephen James Cook is a former South African cricketer who played in three Tests and four ODIs from 1991 to 1993. His son Stephen Cook currently plays for Gauteng....
, right-handed batsman (1953 – ) - Hansie CronjeHansie CronjeWessel Johannes "Hansie" Cronje was a South African cricketer and captain of the South African national cricket team in the 1990s...
, Proteas captain, all-rounder (1969–2002) - Daryll Cullinan, right-handed batsman (1967 – )
- Basil D'OliveiraBasil D'OliveiraBasil Lewis D'Oliveira CBE , known affectionately around the world as "Dolly", was a South African-born English cricketer. D'Oliveira was classified as 'coloured' under the apartheid regime, and hence barred from first-class cricket, resulting in his emigration to England...
, right-handed batsman (1931 – ) - Alan Dawson, right-arm fast medium bowler (1969 – )
- Abraham de VilliersAbraham de VilliersAbraham Benjamin de Villiers more commonly known by his initials AB is a South African cricketer and captain of the South African cricket team, having succeeded Graeme Smith after the 2011 Cricket World Cup for ODIs and T20 Internationals...
, wicket-keeper and right-handed batsman (1984 – ) - Fanie de VilliersFanie de VilliersPetrus Stephanus de Villiers , South Africa), was a cricketer who played 18 Tests and 83 One Day Internationals for South Africa as a right arm fast-medium bowler and right hand batsman between 1992 and 1998.De Villiers debuted in first-class cricket in 1985-86 for Northern Transvaal B...
, right-arm fast medium bowler (1964 – ) - Matthew DenningtonMatthew DenningtonMatthew John Dennington is a South African cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-fast bowler.Born in Durban, Dennington holds a European passport, making him eligible for the England squad. When Mark Ealham disappeared to Nottinghamshire, Dennington was his rightful...
, cricketer (1982 – ) - Boeta DippenaarBoeta DippenaarHendrik Human Dippenaar , known as Boeta Dippenaar, is a cricketer who has played Test and One Day International cricket for South Africa and the ACA African XI. He has played as a specialist batsman in most of his matches, and has played Test cricket in all batting positions from one through seven...
, right-handed batsman (1977 – ) - Allan DonaldAllan DonaldAllan Anthony Donald is a former South African cricketer and one of their most successful pace bowlers.In his prime, he was one of the best fast bowlers ever seen in Test cricket, reaching the top of the ICC Test rankings in 1998 and peaked with a top ICC ranking of 895 points the next year, the...
, right-arm fast bowler (1966 – ) - Jean-Paul DuminyJean-Paul DuminyJean-Paul Duminy, often shortened to JP Duminy, is a South African cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and a right-arm off spin bowler...
, left-handed batsman (1984 – ) - Clive EksteenClive EksteenClive Edward Eksteen in Johannesburg, South Africa. He played seven Tests and six One Day Internationals for South Africa. In sixteen seasons at Transvaal he took 398 wickets at 30.05, also captaining the team for three seasons.-References:*...
, left-arm spin bowler (1966 – ) - Steve ElworthySteve ElworthySteven Elworthy is a former South African cricketer who has fostered a career in administration with Cricket South Africa and the ECB.-International career:...
, right-arm fast medium bowler (1965 – ) - Dennis GamsyDennis GamsyDennis Gamsy is a former South African cricketer who played in two Tests in 1970.-References:...
, Test wicket-keeper (1940 – ) - Herschelle GibbsHerschelle GibbsHerschelle Herman Gibbs is a South African cricketer, more specifically a batsman.Gibbs was schooled at St Joseph's Marist College and then Diocesan College in Rondebosch...
, right-handed batsman (1974 – ) - Norman GordonNorman GordonNorman Gordon is a former South African cricketer who played in five Tests in the 1938–39 South African cricket season. He was born in Boksburg, Transvaal. He is the oldest living Test cricketer, and the first to reach 100 years...
, fast bowler (1911 – ) - Tony GreigTony GreigAnthony "Tony" William Greig is a former English Test cricketer and currently a commentator.Born in Queenstown, South Africa, Greig qualified to play for England by virtue of his Scottish father. He was a tall batting all-rounder who bowled both medium pace and off spin. He became captain of the...
, right-handed batsman and commentator (1946 – ) - Andrew HallAndrew HallAndrew James Hall is a South African cricketer and a former member of the South African cricket team . He is an all-rounder who bowls fast-medium pace, and has been used as both an opening batsman and in the lower order. Prior to making it on the South African first class cricket scene he played...
, all-rounder (1975 – ) - Nantie HaywardNantie HaywardMornantau 'Nantie' Hayward is a South African cricketer. He is a right-arm fast bowler, who, according to Peter Robinson, "has genuine pace, the ability to get bounce and abundant energy"...
, right-arm fast bowler (1977 – ) - Claude HendersonClaude HendersonClaude William Henderson is a South African cricketer who bowls left-arm spin and played in seven Tests and four ODIs from 2001 to 2002...
, left-arm spin bowler (1972 – ) - Omar HenryOmar HenryOmar Henry is a former cricketer who played in three Tests and three One Day Internationals for South Africa. He is notable for being the first non-white player of the modern era, to play cricket for South Africa. He played extensively in Scotland.-References:...
, left-arm spin bowler (1952 – ) - Steven HerzbergSteven HerzbergSteven Herzberg is a former English-born Australian cricketer.Herzberg played for Kent County Cricket Club, Somerset County Cricket Club, the Tasmanian Tigers, the Western Warriors and Worcestershire County Cricket Club.-Biography:Born in Carshalton, Surrey, Herzberg has lived in Australia since...
, (1967 - ) - Andrew HudsonAndrew HudsonAndrew Charles Hudson was a South African Test and ODI cricketer. The right-handed batsman played 35 Tests and 89 One Day Internationals for South Africa in the 1990s. His career spanned 16 consecutive summers, playing for both his country and his province KwaZulu-Natal...
, right-handed opening batsman (1952 – ) - Martin van JaarsveldMartin van JaarsveldMartin van Jaarsveld is a South African cricketer who played nine Tests and eleven One Day Internationals for South Africa between 2002 and 2004...
, right-handed batsman (1974 – ) - Steven JackSteven JackSteven Douglas Jack is a former South African cricketer who played in two Tests and two ODIs from 1994 to 1995. He was a fast, aggressive bowler and formed a formidable opening partnership with Richard Snell for Transvaal in the early 1990s, as they tried to recapture the glory of the 'Mean...
, right-arm fast medium bowler (1970 – ) - Jacques KallisJacques KallisJacques Henry Kallis is a South African cricketer. As an all-rounder he is a formidable right-handed batsman and fast-medium swingbowler. He is one of the greatest all-rounders of all time, being the only cricketer in the history of the game to hold more than 12,000 runs and 250 wickets in both...
, all-rounder (1975 – ) - Chad KeeganChad KeeganChad Blake Keegan is a South African cricketer.Born in Johannesburg, Keegan played first-class, ListA and Twenty20 cricket as a right-handed batsman and a right-arm fast-medium bowler for Middlesex between 2001 and 2007. He created an impression as a penetrative new ball bowler and a hard hitting...
, cricketer (1979 – ) - Justin KempJustin KempJustin Miles Kemp is a South African cricketer who has played Test and ODI cricket for South Africa since the 2000–01 season. Kemp is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm fast medium bowler. His batting is noted for the high frequency of sixes, particularly those which are hit out of the stadium...
, all-rounder (1977 – ) - Jon KentJon KentJon Carter Kent is a South African cricketer. He has played two One Day Internationals in 2002.-References:*...
, cricketer (1979 – ) - Gary KirstenGary KirstenGary Kirsten is a former South African cricketer, and the World Cup winning coach of the Indian cricket team. He played 101 Test matches and 185 One-day internationals for South Africa between 1993 and 2004, mainly as an opening batsman...
, left-handed opening batsman (1967 – ) - Peter KirstenPeter KirstenPeter Noel Kirsten is a former cricketer who represented South Africa in 12 Tests and 40 One Day Internationals from 1991 to 1994.-Cricket career:...
, right-handed batsman (1955 – ) - Lance KlusenerLance KlusenerLance Klusener is a South African cricketer, more specifically an all-rounder. He is known for his aggressive batting and his fast-medium swing bowling. He is nicknamed "Zulu" because of his fluency in that language. Following his exploits at the 1999 World Cup, he topped the ICC ODI Batting...
, all-rounder (1971 – ) - Garnett KrugerGarnett KrugerGarnett John-Peter Kruger is a South African cricketer. Kruger started his first-class cricket career in 1997–98 for Eastern Province B, moving up to the A team in 1999–2000. In 2003–04 he played for Gauteng, before moving to the Lions on the reorganisation of South African first-class cricket in...
, right-arm fast medium bowler (1977 – ) - Adrian KuiperAdrian KuiperAdrian Paul Kuiper is a former South African cricketer who played in one international Test match and twenty five ODIs from 1991 to 1996....
, all-rounder (1959 – ) - Charl LangeveldtCharl LangeveldtCharl Kenneth Langeveldt is a South African ODI and Test cricketer. He is one of four Cape Coloureds in the South African side, with the others being Herschelle Gibbs, JP Duminy and Ashwell Prince....
, right-arm fast medium bowler (1974 – ) - Gerhardus LiebenbergGerhardus LiebenbergGerhardus Frederick Johannes Liebenberg is a South African cricketer who played in five Tests and four ODIs from 1995 to 1998.-References:...
, right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper (1972 – ) - Allan LambAllan LambAllan Joseph Lamb is a former England cricketer and captain who played for the first class teams of Western Province and Northamptonshire, the latter as an Overseas player...
, right-hand batsman (1954 – ) - Craig MatthewsCraig MatthewsCraig Russell Matthews is a former South African cricketer who played in eighteen Tests and fifty six ODIs from 1991 to 1997.-References:...
, right-arm fast medium bowler (1965 – ) - Neil McKenzieNeil McKenzieNeil Douglas McKenzie is a South African cricketer. He is a right-handed opening batsman who plays for South Africa, making his first appearance in 2000. Strong on the leg side, he is also a very good player of spin...
, right-handed batsman (1975 – ) - Brian McMillanBrian McMillanBrian Mervin McMillan played 38 Tests and 78 One Day Internationals for South Africa from 1991 to 1998...
, all-rounder (1963 – ) - Albie MorkelAlbie MorkelJohannes Albertus Morkel , better known as Albie Morkel, is a South African cricketer. He is an all-rounder who bowls right-arm- medium fast and bats left-handed. He is famous for his six hitting abilities in Twenty20 cricket...
, right-handed batsman (1981 – ) - Morne MorkelMorne MorkelMorné Morkel is a cricketer who plays Test and limited overs cricket for South Africa. He is a right-arm fast bowler with "genuine pace" according to former South African fast bowler Allan Donald, and a useful lower order left-handed batsman. Some believe he has the ability to become a genuine...
,cricketer(1984–) - Victor MpitsangVictor MpitsangPhenyo Victor Mpitsang is a fast bowler who has played two One Day Internationals for South Africa in 1999. He has represented Free State and subsequently the Eagles franchise since 1998.-Early years:...
, right-arm fast medium bowler (1980 – ) - Andre NelAndre NelAndré Nel is a South African cricketer who played Test cricket and ODIs as a fast bowler but has since retired opting to play county cricket for Surrey.-International career:...
, fast bowler (1977 – ) - Makhaya NtiniMakhaya NtiniMakhaya Ntini is a former South African cricketer who was the first ethnically black player to play for the South African team. A fast bowler, he tends to bowl from wide of the crease with brisk, although not express, pace...
, fast bowler (1977 – ) - Justin OntongJustin OntongJustin Lee Ontong is a South African cricketer, who currently plays domestic cricket for the Cape Cobras. He has played two Tests, 26 One Day Internationals and two Twenty20 Internationals as an all-rounder.-Cricket career:...
, right-arm spin bowler (1980 – ) - Hugh PageHugh PageHugh Ashton Page is a former South African first class cricketer who was born in Zimbabwe. He played his cricket with Transvaal and spent the 1987 English season with Essex.-References:*...
, right arm fast bowler (1961 – ) - Robin PetersonRobin PetersonRobin John Peterson is a South African cricketer who bowls left arm spin. He is also a more than capable batsman, with a first class batting average of 26.35 as of 6 November 2005. His first class bowling average is a modest 36.36, however, and in Test matches it stands at 50.37...
, left-arm spin bowler (1979 – ) - Kevin PietersenKevin PietersenKevin Peter Pietersen, MBE is a South African-born English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and occasional off spin bowler who plays for England and Surrey...
, right-handed batsman (1980 – ) - Graeme PollockGraeme PollockRobert Graeme Pollock, known as Graeme, is a former cricketer. He played in 23 Test matches for South Africa and represented Transvaal and Eastern Province at domestic level....
, left-handed batsman (1944 – ) - Shaun PollockShaun PollockShaun Maclean Pollock is a retired South African cricketer who is considered a bowling all-rounder. From 2000 to 2003 he was the captain of the South African cricket team, and also played for Africa XI, World XI, Dolphins and Warwickshire. He was also chosen as the Wisden Cricketer of the Year in...
, Proteas captain, fast-medium bowler, nephew of Graeme (1973 – ) - Nic PothasNic PothasNic Pothas is a South African cricketer who plays as a right-handed batsman and who fields as a wicket-keeper. In a total of over 200 first-class matches, he has taken over 500 catches...
, right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper (1973 – ) - Ashwell PrinceAshwell PrinceAshwell Gavin Prince is a cricketer who plays Test and One Day International cricket for South Africa. A left-handed middle order batsman, he has a high-batted stance and is strong through the offside. He is noted for his gritty style of batting and also for being an athletic fielder in the covers...
, left-handed batsman (1977 – ) - Meyrick PringleMeyrick PringleMeyrick Wayne Pringle also known as 'Pring' was is a former South African cricketer who played in four Tests and seventeen ODIs from 1992 to 1995 and was one of SA's finest swing bowlers and one of the few who has ever mastered the art of swinging a tennis ball.-Early career:Pringle attended and...
, right-arm fast medium swing bowler (1966 – ) - Andrew PuttickAndrew PuttickAndrew George Puttick is a South African cricketer.A left-handed opening batsman, Puttick represented South Africa at the 1999 Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka. After making his first class debut in 2000-01, he immediately made an impact with a century in his 3rd game, against Easterns at Newlands...
, cricketer (1980 – ) - Jonty RhodesJonty RhodesJonathan Neil "Jonty" Rhodes is a former South African Test and One Day International cricketer who played for the South African cricket team between 1992 and 2003.Rhodes was born in Pietermaritzburg, Natal Province, South Africa...
, right-handed batsman (1969 – ) - Clive RiceClive RiceClive Edward Butler Rice is a former South African international cricketer. An all-rounder, Rice ended his first class cricket career with a batting average of 40.95 and a bowling average of 22.49....
, all-rounder (1949 – ) - Dave Richardson, right-handed batsman and wicketkeeper (1959 – )
- Jacques RudolphJacques RudolphJacobus Andries Rudolph , popularly known as Jacques Rudolph, is a South African Test and ODI cricketer currently playing in England with Yorkshire CCC and in South Africa with Titans.He had an unbeaten 222 in his debut Test inning...
, left-handed batsman (1981 – ) - Mark RushmereMark RushmereMark Weir Rushmere is a former South African cricketer who played 1 Test and 4 One Day Internationals for South Africa in 1992....
, right-handed batsman (1965 – ) - Brett SchultzBrett SchultzBrett Nolan Schultz is a former South African cricketer who played in nine Tests and one ODI from 1992 to 1997....
, left-arm fast bowler (1970 – ) - Lawrence SeeffLawrence SeeffLawrence Seeff is a former South African First-class cricketer.He played with Western Province and Transvaal and was one of the South African Cricket Annual's Cricketers of the Year in 1981...
, batsmen (1959 – ) - Graeme SmithGraeme SmithGraeme Craig Smith is a South African cricketer and captain of the South African cricket team Test Match side, having succeeded Shaun Pollock after the 2003 Cricket World Cup...
, Proteas captain, batsman (1981 – ) - Greg Smith, cricketer (1971 – )
- Errol StewartErrol StewartErrol Leslie Rae Stewart is a former South African cricketer and rugby union player. He attended Westville Boys' High School in Westville, Durban where he was selected for the SA schools cricket and rugby sides. He also was selected for Natal schools for Hockey and athletics...
, right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper (1969 – ) - Dale SteynDale SteynDale Willem Steyn is a South African cricketer who plays in Test and One Day International cricket for South Africa. He is currently the number one ranked Test bowler in the world and achieved the 900+ points benchmark on 13th Nov 2011. Steyn plays domestic cricket in South Africa for Cape Cobras...
, right-arm fast bowler (1983 – ) - Rudi SteynRudi SteynPhilippus Jeremia Rudolf Steyn is a former South African cricketer who played in three Tests and one ODI in 1995....
, cricketer (1967 – ) - Andrew StraussAndrew StraussAndrew John Strauss, OBE is an English cricketer who plays county cricket for Middlesex County Cricket Club and is the captain of England's Test cricket team. A fluent left-handed opening batsman, Strauss favours scoring off the back foot, mostly playing cut and pull shots...
, cricketer (1977 – ) - Pieter StrydomPieter StrydomPieter Coenraad Strydom is a former cricketer. He played two Test matches and ten One Day Internationals for South Africa in 2000 until he was caught up in the Hansie Cronje betting scandal, but he was acquitted of those charges.-References:**The report of the King Commission...
, cricketer (1969 – ) - Fred SusskindFred SusskindManfred John Susskind was a South African cricketer who played in 5 Tests in 1924 and six first-class matches for Middlesex .-External links:* *...
, Test batsman (1891 – ) - Pat SymcoxPat SymcoxPatrick Leonard Symcox played 20 Tests and 80 One Day Internationals for South Africa in the 1990s and played provincial cricket for the Natal Dolphins in Durban....
, right-arm spin bowler (1960 – ) - Percy SonnPercy SonnPercival Henry Frederick Sonn 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, in July 2006...
, sixth president of the International Cricket Council, first ICC president from Africa (1949–2007) - Roger TelemachusRoger TelemachusRoger Telemachus is a South African international cricketer. He has played 37 One Day Internationals and 3 Twenty20 Internationals for his country.Telemachus currently plays for the Gestetner Eagles...
, right-arm fast medium bowler (1973 – ) - David TerbruggeDavid TerbruggeDavid John Terbrugge is a South African cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-fast bowler....
, right-arm fast medium bowler (1977 – ) - Kepler WesselsKepler WesselsKepler Christoffel Wessels is a former South African cricketer who captained South Africa after playing 24 Tests for Australia. He was the first man to have played One Day International cricket for two countries....
, Proteas captain, left-handed batsman (1957 – ) - Henry WilliamsHenry Williams (cricketer)Henry Smith Williams , is a retired South African cricketer. He played seven One Day Internationals for South Africa but no Tests. Williams was a right arm seam bowler and after retiring he became the bowling coach at Boland....
, right-arm fast medium bowler (1967 – ) - Charl WilloughbyCharl WilloughbyCharl Myles Willoughby is a South African cricketer who played two Tests and three ODIs for South Africa between 2000 and 2003. He played for Boland and Western Province before spending two seasons with the Cape Cobras. He has also played English county cricket, and after a season with...
, cricketer (1974 – ) - Mandy YachadMandy YachadMandy Yachad is a former South African cricketer and field hockey player who represented the South African national team in both sports....
, cricketer (1960 – ) - Monde ZondekiMonde ZondekiMonde Zondeki is a South African cricketer who has played five Tests and 7 One Day International for South Africa, and three One Day Internationals for the African XI...
, right-arm fast bowler (1982 – )
Golf
- Ernie ElsErnie ElsTheodore Ernest "Ernie" Els is a South African professional golfer, who has been one of the top professional players in the world since the mid-1990s. A former World No. 1, he is known as "The Big Easy" due to his imposing physical stature along with his fluid, seemingly effortless golf swing...
(1969 – ) - Retief GoosenRetief GoosenRetief Goosen is a South African professional golfer who has been in the top ten in the Official World Golf Rankings for over 250 weeks between 2001 and 2007. His main achievements have been two U.S...
(1969 – ) - Trevor ImmelmanTrevor ImmelmanTrevor John Immelman is a South African professional golfer and winner of the 2008 Masters Tournament.-Early years:Immelman was born in Cape Town, South Africa. Born into a golfing family , he took up golf at the age of five. He attended Hottentots Holland High School...
(1979 – ) - Gary PlayerGary PlayerGary Player DMS; OIG is a South African professional golfer. With his nine major championship victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Player has won 165 tournaments on six continents over six...
(1936 – ) - Rory SabbatiniRory SabbatiniRory Mario Trevor Sabbatini is a South African professional golfer.Rory Sabbatini was born in Durban, South Africa. He started playing golf at age 4, but concentrated on it from age 12. He was recruited by the University of Arizona, turned professional in 1998 and joined the PGA Tour in 1999...
(1976 – ) - Charl SchwartzelCharl SchwartzelCharl Adriaan Schwartzel is a South African professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour, European Tour, and the Sunshine Tour. He won the 2011 Masters Tournament. Schwartzel's highest world ranking has been number seven, in May 2011....
(1984 – ) - Sewsunker "Papwa" Sewgolum (1930–1978)
- David FrostDavid FrostSir David Frost is a British broadcaster.David Frost may also refer to:*David Frost , South African golfer*David Frost , classical record producer*David Frost *Dave Frost, baseball pitcher...
(1959 – )
Motorsport
See also: South African racecar drivers and Formula One drivers- Greg AlbertynGreg AlbertynGreg Albertyn , is a former World Champion motocross racer. He is now a real estate developer in Riverside, California....
, World and American Motocross Champion - Grant LangstonGrant Langston (motorcyclist)Grant Langston , is a former Grand Prix motocross world champion.Langston began competing in the world championships in 1998, and by 2000, he had won the F.I.M. 125cc world championship as a member of the KTM factory racing team. He moved to the United States in 2001 to compete in the A.M.A...
, World and American Motocross Champion - Gordon MurrayGordon MurrayProf. Gordon Murray , is a renowned designer of Formula One race cars and the McLaren F1 road car.-Early life:...
, Grand Prix car designer (1946 – ) - Tyla RattrayTyla RattrayTyla Rattray , is a Grand Prix motocross world champion.Rattray made his first foray into international racing in 1999 when he participated in the inaugural FIM 85cc world cup at Gaildorf, Germany...
, World Motocross Champion - Ian ScheckterIan ScheckterIan Scheckter is a former racing driver. He participated in 20 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on March 30, 1974...
, Formula One driver (brother of Jody ScheckterJody ScheckterJody David Scheckter is a South African former auto racing driver, the Formula One World Drivers Champion.-Career:Scheckter was born in East London, South Africa and educated at Selborne College.-Formula One:...
) - Jody ScheckterJody ScheckterJody David Scheckter is a South African former auto racing driver, the Formula One World Drivers Champion.-Career:Scheckter was born in East London, South Africa and educated at Selborne College.-Formula One:...
, 1979 Formula One world champion (1950 – ) - Tomas ScheckterTomas ScheckterTomas Scheckter is a South African racing driver, born in Monte Carlo. He is the son of 1979 Formula One World Champion Jody Scheckter.-Early years:...
, South Africa, Indy Racing League driver
Poker
- Raymond RahmeRaymond RahmeRaymond Rahme is a South African professional poker player. He was the first African to reach a final table at a World Series of Poker Main Event, finishing third and earning $3,048,025, equating to some R21,000,000 in his own country." He took his seat at the 2007 Main Event by finishing fourth...
, the first African to reach a final table at a World Series of Poker Main Event, finishing third (1945 – )
Rugby
- Louis Babrow, national team
- Bakkies BothaBakkies BothaJohn Philip "Bakkies" Botha, is a South African rugby union player who plays lock for the Springboks. He was a member of the national team that won the Rugby World Cup in 2007 in addition to winning two Tri-Nations titles in 2004 and 2009...
, Springbok, lock (1979 – ) - Naas Botha, Springbok, flyhalf and TV presenter (1958 – )
- Schalk BurgerSchalk BurgerSchalk Burger Jr. is a South African rugby union player. He plays the position of flanker in the Springbok rugby union team.-Father:...
, Springbok, flank (1983 – ) - Kitch ChristieKitch ChristieGeorge Moir Christie, better known as Kitch Christie , was a South African rugby union coach best known for coaching the country's national team, the Springboks, to victory at the 1995 Rugby World Cup...
, Springboks coach (1940–1998) - Danie CravenDanie CravenDaniël Hartman Craven , more famously known as Danie Craven or simply Doc Craven, is a former Western Province, Eastern Province, Northern Transvaal and Springbok rugby union player as well as arguably South Africa's best and best-known rugby administrator...
, Springbok, scrumhalf and administrator (1910–1994) - Jean de VilliersJean de VilliersJean de Villiers is a South African rugby union footballer. He started his career at wing, but now primarily plays centre. De Villiers plays for Western Province and internationally for South Africa....
, Springbok, centre and wing (1981 – ) - Peter de VilliersPeter de VilliersPeter de Villiers is a South African rugby union coach who is the coach of the South Africa national rugby union team. After his successes with South African U19 and U21 squads, de Villiers was named as the coach of South Africa's national team, the Springboks in January 2008, the first-ever...
, Springbok coach (1957 – ) - Morne du PlessisMorne du PlessisMorne du Plessis is a former South African rugby union player. He is often described as one of the Springboks' most successful captains. Playing at number 8, his national career spanned ten years, five of which he was captain...
, Springbok, eight man (1949 – ) - Frik du PreezFrik du PreezFrederik Christoffel Hendrik "Frik" du Preez is a former South African rugby union player who represented Northern Transvaal and the Springboks. He was born on a farm near Rustenburg and went to school at the Parys High School in Parys...
, Springbok, lock/flank (1935 – ) - Os du RandtOs du RandtJacobus Petrus du Randt, better known as Os du Randt , is a former South African rugby union loosehead prop who retired as the most-capped forward in the history of the Springboks...
, Springbok, prop (1972 – ) - Okey GeffinOkey GeffinAaron "Okey" Geffin was a South African rugby union player.He is sometimes considered the greatest Jewish rugby player of all time, and he was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1998....
, forward, national team (1921–2004) - Danie GerberDanie GerberDanie Gerber is a former South African rugby union player, who played for South Africa between 1980 and 1992. Playing mainly at centre, he won only 24 caps for South Africa despite playing internationally for 12 years because of South Africa's sporting isolation caused by apartheid...
, Springbok, centre (1958 – ) - Bryan HabanaBryan HabanaBryan Gary Habana is a South African rugby union player who plays as a wing for the Western Province in the Currie Cup, the Stormers in Super 14, and the 2007 Rugby World Cup champions Springboks...
, Springbok, wing (1983 – ) - Butch JamesButch JamesAndrew David "Butch" James is a South African rugby union player. He has represented 40 times and was a member of the team that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He also played for Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership...
, Springbok, flyhalf (1979–) - Joe KaminerJoe KaminerJoe Kaminer was a South African rugby union player.Kaminer, who is Jewish, was born in Warmbad and schooled in Pietersburg. He played a single test for the Boks, making his debut on 16 Aug 1958, with the Boks losing against France at Ellis Park...
, national team (1934 -) - Shawn LipmanShawn LipmanShawn Lipman is an American/South African rugby union player.He was inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2004, with others such as Sandy Koufax, Mark Spitz, and Sean Green.-United States:...
, US national team - Victor MatfieldVictor MatfieldVictor Matfield is a South African rugby union player. He has played for, and captained the Springbok rugby team as well as the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup and the Bulls franchise in the Super 14...
, Springbok, lock (1977 – ) - Alan MenterAlan MenterProfessor Alan Menter MD is an English-born dermatologist, and former flyhalf rugby union player for .-Rugby union:Menter played his first international game on the South African tour of France in 1968. The Springboks won both games...
, national team - Percy MontgomeryPercy MontgomeryPercival Colin "Percy" Montgomery is a retired South African rugby union player...
, Springbok, fullback (1974 – ) - Cecil MossCecil MossCecil Moss was a South African rugby union player and coach. He was professionally a physician. Moss was Jewish. He and his wife had two children....
, national team - Sydney Nomis, national team (1901–1962)
- Bennie OslerBennie OslerBenjamin Louwrens Osler was a rugby union footballer who played internationally for South Africa. Osler played mainly at fly-half for both South Africa, and his provincial team of Western Province....
, Springbok, fly-half (1901–1962) - Francois PienaarFrancois PienaarJacobus Francois Pienaar is a South African former rugby union player. He played flanker for South Africa from 1993 until 1996, winning 29 international caps, all of them as captain. He is best known for leading South Africa to victory in the 1995 Rugby World Cup...
, Springbok, flank (1967 – ) - Myer RosenblumMyer RosenblumMyer E. Rosenblum OAM was an Australian sportsman and lawyer. He was born in South Africa to parents who had migrated from present-day Belarus. His family moved to Sydney, Australia in 1914, and he was educated at Fort Street High School and Sydney University. He played four Test matches for the...
, flanker, South Africa national team (1907–2002) - John SmitJohn SmitJohn William Smit is the 50th and current captain of the South African national rugby union team, the Springboks. He has played most of his career as a hooker, but played twice for the Springboks off the bench as a prop prior to the South Africa coaching staff's decision to use him as a tighthead...
, Springbok, hooker (1978 – ) - Fred SmollanFred SmollanFrederick "Fred" Cecil Smollan was a South African rugby union player.He was the second Jew to represent in rugby union, after Morris Zimerman...
, national team (1908–1998) - François SteynFrançois SteynFrancois Steyn is a South African rugby union player, who plays for the South African national team; and Racing Métro 92 in Paris. He was a member of the South African team that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup...
, Springbok, flyhalf/fullback (1987 – ) - Joel StranskyJoel StranskyJoel Theodore Stransky is a former South African rugby union rugby player, most notable for scoring all of South Africa's points, including the famous dramatic winning drop goal, against New Zealand in the 1995 Rugby World Cup final. He played as a fly-half.-Early life:Stransky was born in...
, Springbok, flyhalf, kicked winning points in 1995 Rugby World Cup1995 Rugby World CupThe 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. It was hosted and won by South Africa, and was the first Rugby World Cup in which every match was held in one country....
, played by Scott EastwoodScott Eastwood-Life and career:Reeves was born in Carmel, California but grew up in Hawaii. He is the son of actor-director Clint Eastwood and flight attendant Jacelyn Reeves, elder brother of Kathryn Reeves -Life and career:Reeves was born in Carmel, California but grew up in Hawaii. He is the son of...
in InvictusInvictus (film)Invictus is a 2009 biographical sports drama film directed by Clint Eastwood starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon.The story is based on the John Carlin book Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Changed a Nation about the events in South Africa before and during the 1995 Rugby World...
(1967 – ) - Gary TeichmannGary TeichmannGary Hamilton Teichmann is a retired Rhodesian/Zimbabwean-born South African rugby union player. He played number eight and was the captain of the South African national team, the Springboks, between 1995 and 1999...
, Springbok, number 8 (1967 – ) - Joost van der WesthuizenJoost van der WesthuizenJoost van der Westhuizen is a former South African rugby union footballer who was the Springboks' first choice scrum-half in the mid-to-late 1990s and early 2000s. He was capped 89 times for the Springboks and scored 38 tries...
, Springbok, scrum-half (1971 – ) - Jake WhiteJake WhiteJake White is a rugby union coach and former coach of the South Africa national rugby union team, the Springboks. His most notable achievements as coach include leading the Springboks to victory in 2007 Rugby World Cup and the 2004 Tri Nations title...
, Springbok coach (1963 – ) - Chester WilliamsChester WilliamsChester Mornay Williams is a former South African rugby union rugby player. He played as a winger for the Springboks from 1993 to 2000...
, Springbok, wing (1970 – ) - Morris ZimermanMorris ZimermanMorris Zimerman was a South African rugby union player.Zimerman was the first Jew to represent in rugby union, when he debuted in 5 December 1931...
(1911–1992)
Soccer
- Gary BaileyGary BaileyGary Richard Bailey is a former footballer who made nearly 300 appearances in the Football League playing as a goalkeeper for Manchester United. He was capped twice for England....
, goalkeeper for England and Manchester United (1958 – ) - Shaun BartlettShaun BartlettShaun Bartlett is a retired South African football striker who last played for Bloemfontein Celtic.-Early life:...
, striker (1972 – ) - Mark FishMark FishMark Anthony Fish is a retired South African footballer.-Club career:Fish started his career in his native South Africa under the guidance of renowned coach Steve Coetsee, playing for Arcadia Shepherds, an amateur team based at the Caledonian Stadium in Pretoria...
, defender for Bolton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic and Jomo Cosmos (1974 – ) - Quinton Fortune, midfielder and defender for Manchester United (1977 – )
- Dean FurmanDean FurmanDean Furman is a South African footballer who plays for English League One club Oldham Athletic, after signing from Rangers...
, midfielder (1988 – ) (Oldham AthleticOldham Athletic A.F.C.Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
) - Doctor KhumaloDoctor KhumaloTheophilus Doctorson "Doctor" Khumalo is a retired South African soccer player. He is best known for being a star midfielder for Kaizer Chiefs as well as the South African national team, Bafana Bafana.-Career:...
, midfielder (1967 – ) - Benni McCarthyBenni McCarthyBenedict Saul "Benni" McCarthy is a South African footballer who is currently contracted to Orlando Pirates in South Africa.McCarthy holds the record of international goals for a South African...
, striker (1977 – ) - Steven PienaarSteven PienaarSteven Jerome Pienaar is a South African footballer who plays for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. He can play on either the right or left wing and is also a member of the South African national team. Pienaar has previously played for Ajax Cape Town, Ajax, Borussia Dortmund and Everton...
, Everton F.C.Everton F.C.Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
midfielder (1982 – ) - Lucas RadebeLucas RadebeLucas Valeriu Radebe is a former Leeds United and South African football player. During his career, Radebe was renowned for being a world-class centre back and a great ambassador for the sport....
, Bafana Bafana captain, defender (1969 – ) - Jomo SonoJomo SonoEphraim Matsilela Sono is a South African soccer club owner and coach and was also a star soccer player....
, midfielder and coach (1955 – )
Surfing
- John Whitmore, father of South African surfing (1929–2001)
- Shaun TomsonShaun TomsonShaun Tomson is a South African professional surfer and former world champion, environmentalist, actor, author and businessman.-Life and career:...
, former world champ (1955 – ) - Grant Baker, winner of the MavericksMavericks (location)Maverick's or Mavericks is a surfing location in Northern California, U.S.A.. It is located approximately 2 miles from shore in Pillar Point Harbor just north of Half Moon Bay at the village of Princeton-By-The-Sea. After a strong winter storm in the northern Pacific Ocean, waves can routinely...
Big Wave contest in California - Martin Potter (surfer)Martin Potter (surfer)Martin "Pottz" Potter , is a former professional surfer-Early Years:His parents emigrated to Durban, South Africa when he was 2 years old. He began surfing off the beaches of his hometown Durban at age 10...
, 1989 world champ (1965 – )
Swimming
- Natalie du ToitNatalie du ToitNatalie du Toit is a South African swimmer. She is best known for the gold medals she won at the 2004 Paralympic Games as well as the Commonwealth Games. She was one of two Paralympians to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing; the other being table tennis player Natalia Partyka...
, disabled swimmer (1984 – ) - Lyndon FernsLyndon FernsLyndon Ferns is a retired Olympic gold-medalist and former world record swimmer from South Africa. He swam for South Africa at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics....
, Olympic gold medallist (1983 – ) - Penny Heyns, breaststroke, Olympic gold medallist (1974 – )
- Ryk NeethlingRyk NeethlingRyk Neethling is a South African swimmer. He won an Olympic gold medal in the 4×100 m freestyle relay at the 2004 Summer Olympics. He is the former joint owner of the 4×100 m freestyle relay world record and holds several South African records...
, freestyle, Olympic gold medallist (1977 – ) - Sarah PoeweSarah PoeweSarah Poewe is an Olympic Breaststroke swimmer, who has swum internationally for both South Africa and Germany....
, Olympic bronze medallist (4x100 medley relay) (1983 – ) - Roland Mark SchoemanRoland Mark SchoemanRoland Mark Schoeman is a South African swimmer and a member of the 2004 Olympic Games swimming team for South Africa.He is the current World record holder in the short-course 50 meters freestyle, with a time of 20.30 seconds.-Career:...
, freestyle, Olympic gold medallist (1980 – ) - Darian TownsendDarian TownsendDarian Roy Townsend is a college and international swimmer from South Africa who is an Olympic gold medalist.Townsend was born in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa....
, Olympic gold medallist (1984 – ) - Charlene Wittstock, backstroke swimmer (1978 – )
- Karen MuirKaren MuirKaren Muir is a former competitive swimmer from South Africa. On August 10, 1965, aged 12 years, 10 months, and 25 days, she became the youngest person to break a sporting world record in any discipline when she swam the 110 yards backstroke in 1m 08.7s at the ASA National Junior...
, backstroke, youngest world record holder in any sport in 1965 at 12 years old (1952 – )
Tennis
- Neil BroadNeil BroadNeil Broad is a tennis player who represented Great Britain for most of his playing career. He won 7 ATP tour doubles titles in his career, and won the Silver Medal in doubles at the 1996 Summer Olympics....
, seven ATP tour doubles titles and Olympic doubles silver medallist (1966 – ) - Amanda CoetzerAmanda CoetzerAmanda Coetzer is a former professional tennis player from South Africa.Coetzer turned professional in 1988 and retired in 2004...
, 1998 Family Circle Cup (1971 – ) - Kevin CurrenKevin Curren----Kevin Melvyn Curren is a former professional tennis player. He played in two Grand Slam singles finals and won four Grand Slam doubles titles.-Career:...
, four Grand Slam doubles titles (1958 – ) - Cliff DrysdaleCliff DrysdaleCliff Drysdale is a former top-ranked professional tennis player of the 1960s and early 1970s who became a well-known tennis announcer. He was one of the Handsome Eight, signed by Lamar Hunt in 1968 for the newly formed World Championship Tennis group...
, player and television commentator (1941 – ) - Roger FedererRoger FedererRoger Federer is a Swiss professional tennis player who held the ATP no. 1 position for a record 237 consecutive weeks, and 285 weeks overall. As of 28 November 2011, he is ranked World No. 3 by the Association of Tennis Professionals . Federer has won a men's record 16 Grand Slam singles titles...
, holds both Swiss and South African citizenship (1981 – ) - Wayne FerreiraWayne FerreiraWayne Richard Ferreira is a former tennis player from South Africa. He attended Parktown Boys' High School....
, 1996 Canada Masters, 2000 Eurocard Open and Olympic doubles silver medallist (1971–) - Ian FromanIan FromanIan Froman is a South African-born Israeli former tennis player and tennis patron.He is known for playing in the Wimbledon Championships in the 1950s, representing Israel in Davis Cup competition in the 1960s and 1970s, and playing a primary role in the founding of the Israel Tennis Centers in the...
, South African-born Israeli tennis player and patron - Bob HewittBob HewittRobert "Bob" Anthony John Hewitt is a former professional male tennis player from Australia...
, men's doubles champion: Wimbledon, French and US Open (1940 – ) - Ilana KlossIlana KlossIlana Sheryl Kloss is a former professional tennis player and the commissioner of World Team Tennis.-Tennis career:Kloss was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. Before turning professional, in 1972 she won the Wimbledon juniors singles title. In 1974 she won U.S...
, won 1976 US Open Women's Doubles (w/Linky BoshoffLinky BoshoffDelina Ann Boshoff-Mortlock was born on 12 November 1956, and is a former professional tennis player who won the 1976 US Open women's doubles title with her partner Ilana Kloss...
), highest world doubles ranking #1 (1956 – ) - Johan KriekJohan KriekJohan Kriek is a South African American professional male tennis player and founder of the Global Water Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to delivering clean water to the world's neediest communities. Kriek has won two Australian Opens and has reached the semi-finals at the French...
, 1981 and '82 Australian Open champion (1958 – ) - Frew McMillanFrew McMillanFrew Donald McMillan is a former professional male tennis player from South Africa.He won five major doubles championships including three Wimbledons with Bob Hewitt. The most notable aspect of his game was that he had both a two-handed backhand and forehand, which simultaneously increased his...
, men's doubles champion: Wimbledon, French and US Open (1942 – )
Conservationists
- Ian PlayerIan PlayerDr. Ian Player DMS , is an international conservationist.-Biography:Player was educated at St. John’s College, Johannesburg, South Africa and served in the 6th South African Armoured Division attached to the American 5th Army in Italy 1944–46.His conservation career started with the Natal Parks...
(1927 – ) - James Stevenson-HamiltonJames Stevenson-HamiltonColonel James Stevenson-HamiltonFather of the Kruger National Park Parks BoardLife before the Sabie Game reserve:James Stevenson-Hamilton was born the eldest of nine children in Scotland on the 2nd of October 1876. Being first born he was the legal heir to their family title and home at Fairholm,...
(1867–1957) - John VartyJohn VartyJohn Varty is a controversial South African wildlife filmmaker who has made more than 30 documentaries and one feature film. Varty is also leading a controversial project which aims to create a free-ranging, self-sustaining tiger population outside of Asia...
Travelers, adventurers and pioneers
- Alexander Biggar, colonial pioneer (1781–1838)
- William John BurchellWilliam John BurchellWilliam John Burchell was an English explorer, naturalist, traveller, artist and author. He was the son of Matthew Burchell, botanist and owner of Fulham Nursery, nine and a half acres of land adjacent to the gardens of Fulham Palace. Burchell served a botanical apprenticeship at Kew and was...
, naturalist traveler (1781–1863) - Francisco de AlmeidaFrancisco de AlmeidaDom Francisco de Almeida , also known as "the Great Dom Francisco" , was a Portuguese nobleman, soldier and explorer. He distinguished himself as a counsellor to King John II of Portugal and later in the wars against the Moors and in the conquest of Granada in 1492...
, adventurer buried in Cape Town (c. 1450 – 1510) - Bartolomeu DiasBartolomeu DiasBartolomeu Dias , a nobleman of the Portuguese royal household, was a Portuguese explorer who sailed around the southernmost tip of Africa in 1488, the first European known to have done so.-Purposes of the Dias expedition:...
, explorer who reached eastern Cape (c. 1450–1500) - John Dunn, colonial pioneer (1833–1895)
- Robert Jacob GordonRobert Jacob GordonRobert Jacob Gordon , was a Dutch explorer, soldier, artist, naturalist and linguist of Scottish descent.-Life:...
, explorer, soldier, naturalist (1743–1795) - Emil HolubEmil HolubEmil Holub was a Czech physician, explorer, cartographer, and ethnographer in Africa. In a 2005 poll, he was voted #90 of the 100 greatest Czechs.-Early life:...
, explorer (1847–1902) - Nathaniel IsaacsNathaniel IsaacsNathaniel Isaacs was an English adventurer who played a part in the history of Natal, South Africa. He wrote a book spread over two volumes called "Travels and Adventures in Eastern Africa"...
, Natal traveler (1808–1872) - Dick KingRichard Philip KingRichard Philip "Dick" King was an English trader and colonist at Port Natal, a British trading station in the region now known as KwaZulu-Natal. He is best known for a historic horseback ride in 1842, where he completed a journey of in 10 days, in order to request help for the besieged British...
, colonial pioneer (1813–1871) - François Le VaillantFrançois Le VaillantFrançois Levaillant or Le Vaillant was a French author, explorer, naturalist, zoological collector, and noted ornithologist.-Biography:...
, Cape naturalist traveler (1753–1824) - Karl MauchKarl MauchKarl Gottlieb Mauch Stuttgart was a German explorer and geographer of Africa. He reported on the archaeological ruins of Great Zimbabwe in 1871...
, traveling geologist (1873–1875) - Harriet A. RocheHarriet A. RocheHarriet A. Roche was a Canadian author.-Overview:Miss Harriet Mills, while not Canadian born, can be considered a Canadian woman author. She emigrated to Canada in 1851, with her mother and her older sister Mary Louisa .Mrs...
, Transvaal traveler (1835–1921) - Carl Peter ThunbergCarl Peter ThunbergCarl Peter Thunberg aka Carl Pehr Thunberg aka Carl Per Thunberg was a Swedish naturalist and an apostle of Carl Linnaeus. He has been called "the father of South African botany" and the "Japanese Linnaeus"....
, Cape naturalist traveler (1743–1828) - Sibusiso VilaneSibusiso VilaneSibusiso Vilane is a South African mountaineer and motivational speaker.He married his wife Nomsa in 1995 and is the father of three children - two girls and a boy.-Career:...
, first black African to summit Mount Everest (1970 – ) - Kingsley HolgateKingsley HolgateKingsley Holgate is a South African explorer, humanitarian and author. A fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, he has been described by Getaway Magazine as "the most travelled man in Africa" and has modelled himself on David Livingstone...
– Traveler and Pioneer
Criminals
- Schabir ShaikSchabir ShaikSchabir Shaik is a South African businessman from the Berea, Durban, who rose to prominence due to his close association with South African President Jacob Zuma during his time as Deputy President...
, convicted fraudster - Rashid StaggieRashid StaggieRashid Staggie was a crime boss in Cape Town, South Africa. His twin brother, Rashaad Staggie was the leader of the HardLivings gang and was killed dramatically on live TV by being shot and burned alive in 1996 by PAGAD.-References:...
, crime boss - Andre StanderAndre StanderAndre Stander was a Police Captain at the CID branch of Kempton Park Police Station, South Africa who began robbing banks in the 1970s and later became known in popular media as the head of the "Stander Gang" in the early 1980s...
, gang member (1946–1984) - Gert van RooyenGert van RooyenCornelius Gerhardus van Rooyen was an alleged South African paedophile and serial killer who, together with his female partner Joey Haarhof, abducted and apparently murdered at least six young girls between 1988 and 1989...
, pedophile ( – 1990) - Bulelani VukwanaBulelani VukwanaBulelani Vukwana was a South African spree killer who, after a quarrel with his girlfriend, shot to death 11 people and injured a further 6 in Mdantsane township, near East London, on February 9, 2002, before committing suicide.-Murder Trail:In the evening of February 9, 2002 29-year old Bulelani...
, spree killer (c. 1973 – 2002)
Other
- Sir Herbert BakerHerbert BakerSir Herbert Baker was a British architect.Baker was the dominant force in South African architecture for two decades, 1892–1912....
, influential in South African architecture (1862–1946) - Denise DarvallDenise DarvallDenise Ann Darvall was the donor in the world’s first successful human heart transplant, performed at Groote Schuur Hospital, South Africa, by a team of surgeons led by Christiaan Barnard....
, donor for the first human heart transplant (1943–1967) - Emily HobhouseEmily HobhouseEmily Hobhouse was a British welfare campaigner, who is primarily remembered for bringing to the attention of the British public, and working to change, the poor conditions inside the British concentration camps in South Africa built for Boer women and children during the Second Boer War.-Early...
, welfare campaigner for South Africans (1860–1926) - Nkosi JohnsonNkosi JohnsonNkosi Johnson was a South African child with HIV/AIDS, who made a powerful impact on public perceptions of the pandemic and its effects before his death at the age of 12. He was ranked fifth amongst SABC3's Great South Africans...
, child who died of AIDSAIDSAcquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
(1989–2001) - Sandra LaingSandra LaingSandra Laing, is a woman who was born to white parents but reclassified as Coloured during the apartheid era in South Africa as she has dark skin...
, victim of racial classification (1955 – ) - Breaker MorantBreaker MorantHarry 'Breaker' Harbord Morant was an Anglo-Australian drover, horseman, poet, soldier and convicted war criminal whose skill with horses earned him the nickname "The Breaker"...
, Boer War soldier (1864–1902) - Napoléon EugèneNapoléon Eugène, Prince ImperialNapoléon, Prince Imperial, , Prince Imperial, Fils de France, was the only child of Emperor Napoleon III of France and his Empress consort Eugénie de Montijo...
, last of Napoleons who died in Zulu war (1856–1879) - Hector PietersonHector PietersonHector Pieterson became the subject of an iconic image of the 1976 Soweto uprising in South Africa when a news photograph by Sam Nzima of the dying Hector being carried by another student while his sister ran next to them, was published around the world. He was killed at the age of 12 when the...
, poster victim of the Soweto riotsSoweto riotsThe Soweto Uprising, also known as June 16, was a series of high school student-led protests in South Africa that began on the morning of June 16, 1976. Students from numerous Sowetan schools began to protest in the streets of Soweto, in response to the introduction of Afrikaans as the medium of...
(1964–1976) - Mrs. PlesMrs. PlesMrs. Ples is the popular nickname for the most complete skull of an Australopithecus africanus specimen ever found in South Africa. Many fossils of this species, which are considered to be the distant relatives of all humankind, have been found in the Sterkfontein area, in what has been designated...
, homonid fossil (born c. 2.6 to 2.8 million years ago) - Willem RatteWillem RatteWillem Ratte is a former member of the elite Rhodesian SAS the Rhodesian Army, and an anti-communist fighter in South Africa.Ratte was involved in the South African Defense Force's invasion of Angola....
, soldier and criminal (1948 – ) - Rosenkowitz sextupletsRosenkowitz sextupletsThe Rosenkowitz Sextuplets were the first known set of sextuplets to survive infancy.-Biography:Born to Susan Wilson at Mowbray Maternity Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, the sextuplets are:...
, first known set of sextuplets to survive their infancy (1974 – ) - Adam TasAdam TasAdam Tas was a community leader in the Cape Colony at the turn of the 17th century, and is best known for his role in the conflict between Cape Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel and the "free burghers" at the Cape of Good Hope.- Overview :Adam Tas was born in Holland...
, colonial activist (1668–1722) - Taung ChildTaung ChildThe Taung Child — or Taung Baby — is the fossilized skull of a young Australopithecus africanus individual. It was discovered in 1924 by quarrymen working for the Northern Lime Company in Taung, South Africa...
, homonid fossil (born c. 2.5 million years ago) - Louis WashkanskyLouis WashkanskyLouis Washkansky was the recipient of the world's first human heart transplant.-Biography:Washkansky was a Lithuanian Jew who migrated with his friends to South Africa in 1922, aged nine, and became a grocer in Cape Town. Washkansky saw active service in World War II in East and North Africa and...
, recipient of first human heart transplant (1913–1967) - Wolraad WoltemadeWolraad WoltemadeWolraad Woltemade was a South African dairy farmer, who died while rescuing sailors from the wreck of the ship De Jonge Thomas in Table Bay on 1 June 1773.-Early life:...
, colonial hero figure (c. 1708 – 1773) - Paul Lloyd Jr, first ever South African WWE Superstar, son of successful SA wrestling promoter Paul Lloyd (1981- )
See also
- List of Xhosa people
- List of Zulus
- List of people by nationality
- SABC3's Great South AfricansSABC3's Great South AfricansGreat South Africans was a South African television series that aired on SABC3 and hosted by Noeleen Maholwana Sangqu and Denis Beckett. In September 2004, thousands of South Africans took part in an informal nationwide poll to determine the "100 Greatest South Africans" of all time...
, a television program listing the 100 greatest South Africans as voted for by viewers - List of White Africans
- They shaped our centuryThey shaped our centuryThe They shaped our century survey was a top 100 list published in 1999 about which people had the greatest influence on South Africa during the twentieth century. The survey was run by South African media giant Media24 among users of its web portal. This survey preceded the SABC Great South...
, a survey by Media24 in 1999 about 100 most influential South Africans (and people associated with South Africa) of the twentieth century