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This is a list of notable and famous South Africans who are the subjects of Knowledge articles.
This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
Academics
Academics
See also: Chancellors and vice-chancellors
- Shulamith Behr, art historian (1946β2023)
- Estian Calitz, academic (born 1949)
- Jakes Gerwel, academic and anti-apartheid activist (1946β2012)
- Adam Habib, political scientist (born 1965)
- Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, academic and politician (1894β1948)
- Thamsanqa Kambule, South African Mathematician and Educator (1921β2009)
- Tshilidzi Marwala, academic and businessman (born 1971)
- Revil Mason, archeologist (1929β2020)
- Shula Marks, historian (born 1938)
- Njabulo Ndebele, Principal of the University of Cape Town (born 1948)
- D. C. S. Oosthuizen, philosopher (1926β1968)
- Adriaan N Pelzer, historian and Vice-Principal University Pretoria (1915β1981)
- Michiel Daniel Overbeek, South African amateur astronomer and prolific variable star observers (1920β2001)
- Pierre de Villiers Pienaar, pioneering role in speech language therapy and lexicography in South Africa (1904β1978)
- Calie Pistorius, academic and Principal of the University of Pretoria (born 1958)
- Milton Shain, academic and professor of Modern Jewish history at the University of Cape Town (born 1949)
- Benedict Wallet Vilakazi, author, educator, and first black South African to receive a PhD (1906β1947)
- Peter Booth Tymms, education scholar, academician, and researcher
- David Webster, anthropologist (1945β1989)
Medical and veterinary
See also: South African surgeons
- Abraham Manie Adelstein, UK Chief Medical Statistician (1916β1992)
- Christiaan Barnard, pioneering heart surgeon (1922β2001)
- Wouter Basson, medical scientist (born 1950)
- John Borthwick (veterinary surgeon), veterinary surgeon in the Cape Colony (1867β1936)
- Mary Malahlela, first black woman to register as a medical doctor in South Africa (1916β1981)
- Joan Morice, first female veterinary surgeon in South Africa (1904β1944)
- Anna Coutsoudis, public health scientist (born 1952)
- Patrick Soon-Shiong, surgeon, founder Abraxis BioScience, billionaire (born 1952)
- Arnold Theiler, veterinarian (1867β1936)
- Max Theiler, virologist, 1951 Nobel Prize winner (1899β1972)
- Lindiwe Sidali, surgeon (born 1984)
Scientists
See also: South African scientists
- Andrew Geddes Bain, geologist (1797β1864)
- Peter Beighton, geneticist (1934β2023)
- Wilhelm Bleek, linguist (1827β1875)
- Robert Broom, palaeontologist (1866β1951)
- Sydney Brenner, biologist, 2002 Physiology or Medicine Nobel Prize winner (1927β2019)
- Phillip Clancey, ornithologist (1918β2001)
- Allan McLeod Cormack, physicist (1924β1998)
- Zodwa Dlamini, biochemist
- Clement Martyn Doke, linguist (1893β1980)
- Mulalo Doyoyo, professor and inventor (born 1970)
- Alexander du Toit, geologist (1878β1948)
- Robert Allen Dyer, botanist (1900β1987)
- Melville Edelstein, sociologist, killed due to Soweto uprising (1919β1976)
- Wendy Foden, conservation biologist
- J. W. B. Gunning, zoologist (1860β1913)
- Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Associate Scientific Director of the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) (born 1960)
- Salim Abdool Karim, FRSSAf FRS South African epidemiologist and infectious diseases specialist (born 1960)
- David Lewis-Williams, archaeologist (born 1934)
- Lucy Lloyd, anthropologist (1834β1914)
- Thebe Medupe, astrophysicist (born 1973)
- Hans Merensky, geologist (1871β1952)
- Austin Roberts, zoologist (1883β1948)
- Peter Sarnak, mathematician (born 1953)
- Ramotholo Sefako, astrophysicist (born 1971)
- Buyisiwe Sondezi, physicist (born 1976)
- Basil Schonland, physicist (1896β1972)
- J.L.B. Smith, ichthyologist (1897β1968)
- Phillip Tobias, palaeontologist (1925β2012)
Theologians
Also see: Prelates, clerics and evangelists
- David Bosch (1929β1992)
- John W. de Gruchy (born 1939)
- Dion Forster (born 1972)
- Johan Heyns (1928β1994)
Writers
See also: South African writers
Authors
- Lady Anne Barnard, travel writer and artist (1750β1825)
- Herman Charles Bosman, author (1905β1951)
- AndrΓ© P. Brink, author (1935β2015)
- Justin Cartwright, novelist (1943β2018)
- John Maxwell Coetzee, 2003 Nobel Prize-winning author (born 1940)
- K. Sello Duiker, novelist (1974β2005)
- Sir Percy FitzPatrick, writer, businessman and politician (1862β1931)
- Graeme Friedman, author and clinical psychologist
- Damon Galgut, author (born 1963)
- Nadine Gordimer, 1991 Nobel Prize-winning author (1923β2014)
- Alfred Hutchinson, South African author, teacher and activist (1924β1972)
- C. J. Langenhoven, writer and poet (1873β1932)
- Pule Lechesa, essayist, literary critic, and poet (born 1976)
- Kgotso Pieter David Maphalla, the Sesotho language writer (1955β2021)
- Dalene Matthee, author (1938β2005)
- Gcina Mhlope, author, storyteller, playwright, director, actor (born 1959)
- Deon Meyer, author (born 1958)
- Phaswane Mpe, novelist (1970β2004)
- Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, author and musician (born 1989)
- Alan Paton, author (1903β1988)
- Margaret Roberts, herbalist and writer (1937β2017)
- Karel Schoeman, novelist and historian (1939β2017)
- Olive Schreiner, author (1855β1920)
- Mongane Wally Serote, poet and writer (born 8 May 1944)
- Wilbur Smith, novelist (1933β2021)
- J. R. R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of The Rings (1892β1973)
- Etienne van Heerden, novelist (born 1956)
- Marlene van Niekerk, novelist (born 1954)
- Lyall Watson, writer (1939β2008)
- David Yudelman, writer
- Rachel Zadok, London-based South African writer (born 1972)
Editors
- Kojo Baffoe, magazine editor (born 1972)
- Khanyi Dhlomo, magazine editor (born 1975)
- Laurence Gandar, Rand Daily Mail editor (1915β1998)
- Niel Hammann, editor of magazines (born 1937)
- John Tengo Jabavu, political activist and newspaper editor (1859β1921)
- Aggrey Klaaste, journalist and editor (1940β2004)
- Max du Preez, newspaper editor (born 1951)
Poets
See also: South African poets and Afrikaans language poets
- Roy Campbell, poet (1901β1957)
- Judy Croome, poet (born 1958)
- Sheila Cussons, poet (1922β2004)
- Jonty Driver (1939β2023)
- Jakob DaniΓ«l du Toit, poet a.k.a. Totius (1877β1953)
- Elisabeth Eybers, poet (1915β2007)
- Stephen Gray, writer and poet (1941β2020)
- Ingrid Jonker, poet (1933β1965)
- Moira Lovell, poet, playwright and literary critic (born 1951)
- Antjie Krog, poet, novelist and playwright (born 1952)
- Laurence Lerner, poet (1925β2016)
- Lucas Malan, Afrikaans academic and poet (1946β2010)
- Chris Mann, poet (1948β2021)
- EugΓ¨ne Nielen Marais, poet, writer, lawyer and naturalist (1871β1936)
- Thomas Pringle, poet and journalist (1789β1834)
- N.S. Puleng, poet and author (born 1958)
- N. P. van Wyk Louw, poet (1906β1970)
- Mongane Wally Serote, poet, activist and politician (born 1944)
- Stephen Watson, poet (1954β2011)
Journalists
- Jani Allan, journalist and radio personality (born 1953)
- George Claassen, journalist (born 1949)
- Robyn Curnow, CNN television reporter and anchor
- John Charles Daly, television journalist, executive and game show host (1914β1991)
- Arnold S de Beer, journalist and academic (1942β2021)
- Frene Ginwala, journalist and politician (1932β2023)
- Arthur Goldstuck, journalist (born 1959)
- Niel Hammann, journalist (born 1937)
- Noni Jabavu, journalit, editor and first black South African woman to publish an autobiography (1919β2008)
- Archibald Campbell Jordan (1906β1968)
- Lara Logan, CBS television reporter/correspondent (born 1971)
- Peter Magubane, South African photographer (1932β2024)
- John Matisonn, print and radio journalist for both South African and United States broadcasters (born 1949)
- Zakes Mda, journalist (born 1948)
- Nathaniel Ndazana Nakasa, South African journalist and short story writer (1937β1965)
- Sam Nzima, South African photographer, who took the image of Hector Pieterson for the Soweto uprising (1934β2018)
- Henry Nxumalo, investigative journalist under apartheid (1917β1957)
- Sol Plaatje, journalist and political activist (1877β1932)
- Percy Qoboza, journalist, editorial writer, and political activist (1938β1988)
- Barry Streek, journalist, political activist, author, parliamentary media manager (1948β2006)
- Redi Tlhabi, journalist and broadcaster (born 1978)
- Eric Lloyd Williams, journalist and war correspondent (1915β1988)
- Donald Woods, journalist and anti-apartheid activist (1933β2001)
Artists
See also: South African artists
Performing artists
Actors and actresses
See also: List of South African actors
- Anel Alexander, actress, producer (born 1979)
- Lesley-Ann Brandt, South African born actress, notable for her role as Mazikeen in the show Lucifer (born 1981)
- Ayanda Borotho, actress (born 1981)
- Ivan Botha, actor (born 1984)
- Kai Luke BrΓΌmmer, actor (born 1993)
- Presley Chweneyagae, actor (born 1984)
- Tarina Patel, actor (born 1986]
- Peter Cartwright, actor (1935β2013)
- Baby Cele, actress (born 1972)
- Sharlto Copley, actor, (District 9) (born 1973)
- Katlego Danke, actress (born 1978)
- Embeth Davidtz, actress (born 1965)
- Gopala Davies, actor and director (born 1988)
- Ryan de Villiers, actor (born 1992)
- Sindi Dlathu, actress (born 1974)
- Pallance Dladla, actor (born 1992)
- Lillian Dube, South African actress (born 1945)
- Vinette Ebrahim, actress (born 1957)
- Kim Engelbrecht, actress (born 1980)
- Willie Esterhuizen, actor
- Connie Ferguson, actress (born 1970)
- Shona Ferguson, actor (1972β2021)
- Brett Goldin, actor (1977β2006)
- Zoe Gail, actress (1920β2020)
- Gugu Gumede, actress (born 1991)
- Roxane Hayward, actress (born 1991)
- Hennie Jacobs, actor (born 1981)
- David James, actor, stage, television, and film actor (born 1972)
- Sid James, film and television actor (1913β1976)
- Glynis Johns, actress (1923β2024)
- Adhir Kalyan, actor (born 1983)
- Atandwa Kani, actor (born 1984)
- John Kani, actor, entertainer and writer (born 1943)
- Dawn Thandeka King, actress (born 1977)
- Shannon Kook (born 1987)
- Paballo Koza, actor (born 2002)
- Alice Krige, actress (born 1954)
- Deon Lotz, actor (born 1964)
- Sello Maake Ka-Ncube, actor (born 1960)
- Gail Mabalane, actress (born 1984)
- Joe Mafela, actor, writer and singer (1942β2017)
- Maps Maponyane, actor (born 1990)
- Warren Masemola, actor (born 1983)
- Khanyi Mbau, radio and television personality and actress notable for Happiness Is a Four-letter Word (born 1985)
- Nomzamo Mbatha, actress (born 1990)
- Michelle Mosalakae, actress (born 1994)
- Thuso Mbedu, actress (born 1991)
- Sean Michael (South African actor), (born 1969)
- Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa, actress (born 1988)
- Masoja Msiza, actor (born 1964)
- Patrick Mynhardt, actor (1932β2007)
- Themba Ndaba, actor (born 1965)
- Menzi Ngubane, actor (born 1967)
- Jessica Nkosi, actress (born 1990)
- Kenneth Nkosi, actor (born 1973)
- Winnie Ntshaba, actress (born 1975)
- Winston Ntshona, actor (1941β2018)
- Nandi Nyembe, South African actress (born 1950)
- Tanit Phoenix, actress (Death Race: Inferno, Lord of War, Safe House, Femme Fatales, Mad Buddies) (born 1984)
- Terry Pheto, actress (born 1981)
- Sasha Pieterse, actress (born 1996)
- Madelaine Petsch, actress (born 1994)
- Sandra Prinsloo, South African actress (The Gods Must Be Crazy, Quest for Love) (born 1947)
- Ama Qamata, actress (born 1998)
- Basil Rathbone, actor (1892β1967)
- Jo-anne Reyneke, actress (born 1988)
- Ian Roberts, actor, playwright, singer (born 1952)
- Angelique Rockas pioneer of multi-racial theatre in the UK (born 1951)
- Buhle Samuels
- Stelio Savante, actor (born 1970)
- Clive Scott, actor (1937β2021)
- Rapulana Seiphemo, actor (born 1967)
- Cliff Severn, actor (1925β2014)
- Raymond Severn, actor (1930β1994)
- Antony Sher, actor, author and painter (1949β2021)
- Cliff Simon, actor (1962β2021)
- William Smith, TV teacher and presenter (born 1939)
- Linda Sokhulu, actress (born 1976)
- Shaleen Surtie-Richards, actress (1955β2021)
- Janet Suzman, actress (born 1939)
- Reine Swart, actress, producer
- Charlize Theron, actress (born 1975)
- Pearl Thusi, actress, model, MC (born 1988)
- Siyabonga Thwala, actor (born 1969)
- Pieter-Dirk Uys, political satirist and entertainer (born 1945)
- BrΓΌmilda van Rensburg, actress (born 1956)
- Musetta Vander, actress (born 1969)
- Arnold Vosloo, actor (The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, 24) (born 1962)
Dancers
- Juliet Prowse, dancer (1936β1996)
- Bontle Modiselle, dancer (born 1990)
Playwrights and film directors
- Neill Blomkamp, director, District 9 (born 1979)
- Charles J. Fourie, playwright (born 1965)
- Athol Fugard, playwright (born 1932)
- Ronald Harwood, playwright and writer (1934β2020)
- Oliver Hermanus, film director and writer (born 1983)
- Gray Hofmeyr South African film director (born 1949)
- Gavin Hood, film director, wrote and directed the Academy Award-winning Tsotsi (2005) (born 1963)
- Rob De Mezieres, film director and writer
- Mbongeni Ngema, playwright, actor, choreographer and director (born 1955)
- Michael Oblowitz film director (born 1952)
- Mthuli ka Shezi, playwright and political activist (1947β1972)
- Leon Schuster, filmmaker, comedian, actor and prankster (born 1951)
- Jamie Uys, film director (1921β1996)
Singers, musicians and composers
Main articles: List of South African musicians and List of South African composers
- AKA (rapper), South African Kiernan Forbes (1988β2023)
- Zain Bhikha, world-renowned singer-songwriter of the Nasheed genre
- Michael Blake, classical composer (born 1951)
- Johan Botha, opera singer (1965β2016)
- Al Bowlly, popular singer (1898β1941)
- Don Clarke, Singer-songwriter (born 1955)
- Johnny Clegg, musician (1953β2019)
- Mimi Coertse, opera singer (born 1932)
- Fanie de Jager, operatic tenor (born 1949)
- Lucky Dube, reggae singer (1964β2007)
- Brenda Fassie, anti-apartheid Afropop singer, songwriter, dancer and activist (1964β2004)
- Daniel Friedman ("Deep Fried Man"), musical comedian (born 1981)
- Steve Kekana, singer and songwriter (1958β2021)
- Jabu Khanyile, musician and lead vocalist (1957β2006)
- Claire Johnston, singer (born 1967)
- David Kramer, singer and playwright (born 1951)
- Clare Loveday, classical composer (born 1967)
- Lira (singer), singer (born 1979)
- Sipho Mabuse, singer (born 1951)
- Ringo Madlingozi, South African singer, songwriter, producer, and member of parliament (born 1964)
- Arthur Mafokate, kwaito musician and producer (born 1962)
- Winston Ngozi Mankunku, tenor sax player (1943β2009)
- Mahlathini, mbaqanga singer (1938β1999)
- Miriam Makeba, singer and civil rights activist (1932β2008)
- Rebecca Malope, multi-award-winning South African gospel singer (born 1968)
- Manfred Mann, musician (born 1940)
- Hugh Masekela, jazz trumpeter and singer (1939β2018)
- Gwendolyn Masin, violinist, author, pedagogue (born 1977)
- Lebo Mathosa, popular South African kwaito singer (1977β2006)
- Dave Matthews, leader of the Dave Matthews Band (born 1967)
- Shaun Morgan, lead singer of the award-winning band Seether (born 1978)
- Ray Phiri, jazz, fusion and Mbhaqanga musician (1947β2017)
- Aquiles Priester, drummer (born 1971)
- Rex Rabanye, jazz, fusion and soulful pop musician (1944β2010)
- Trevor Rabin, musician, composer, former member of progressive rock band Yes (born 1954)
- Koos Ras, comedian, singer, writer, composer (1928β1997)
- Charles Segal (pianist), composer, arranger, Guinness World Record holder (born 1929)
- Enoch Sontonga, composer of national anthem (1873β1905)
- Joseph Shabalala, founder and director of Ladysmith Black Mambazo (1941β2020)
- ZP Theart, singer, ex Dragonforce (born 1975)
- Costa Titch, Amapiano rapper and dancer (1995β2023)
- Hilda Tloubatla, lead singer of Mahotella Queens (born 1942)
- Watkin Tudor Jones, rapper, performance artist, band member of Die Antwoord (born 1974)
- Arnold van Wyk, classical composer (1916β1983)
- Yolandi Visser, rapper, performance artist, band member of Die Antwoord (born 1984)
- Amor Vittone, singer, performing artist and gold-disc recording artist (born 1972)
- Kevin Volans, classical composer (born 1949)
Models, socialites and media personalities
- Jani Allan, radio personality, journalist (born 1953)
- Gina Athans, model, international socialite (born 1984)
- Riaan Cruywagen, TV news reader (born 1945)
- Lasizwe Dambuza, television personality (born 1998)
- Belle Delphine, Social Media Personality (born 1999)
- Trevor Denman, horse racing announcer (born 1952)
- Minnie Dlamini, TV presenter, TV personality, model and actress (born 1990)
- Jade Fairbrother, model, fitness bikini competitor, Playboy Playmate (born 1986)
- Watkin Tudor Jones (Ninja) singer, rapper, actor, director (born 1974)
- Roxy Ingram, model (born 1982)
- Alan Khan, radio and television personality (born 1971)
- Caspar Lee, YouTube personality and actor (born 1994)
- Jeremy Maggs, journalist, radio host and television presenter (born 1961)
- Myra Manganye, South African Reality Competition titleholder
- Jeremy Mansfield, radio and TV personality
- Maps Maponyane, media socialite, model and actor (born 1990)
- Robert Marawa, sports journalist, television and radio personality (born 1973)
- Megan McKenzie, model (born 1980)
- Trevor Noah, comedian, actor, radio- and television host (born 1984)
- Debora Patta, broadcast journalist and television producer (born 1964)
- Tanit Phoenix, Sports Illustrated model and actress (born 1984)
- Lunga Shabalala, TV presenter, model and actor (born 1989)
- Linda Sibiya, radio personality, radio producer, television host, television producer and broadcaster.
- Troye Sivan, YouTube personality, actor and singer (born 1995)
- Reeva Steenkamp, model (1983β2013)
- Candice Swanepoel, Victoria's Secret model (born 1988)
- Charlize Theron, actress, film producer (born 1975)
- Lesego Tlhabi, comedian and satirist (as Coconut Kelz) (born 1988)
- Yolandi Visser singer, rapper, actor (born 1984)
- Minki van der Westhuizen, model and TV presenter (born 1984)
- Eddie Zondi, radio personality and music composer (1967β2014)
Visual artists
Cartoonists
- T.O. Honiball, cartoonist (1905β1990)
- Jeremy Nell, cartoonist (born 1979)
- Zapiro, cartoonist (born 1958)
Painters
See also: South African painters
- Thomas Baines, colonial painter and explorer (1820β1875)
- Tamlin Blake, mixed media artist (born 1974)
- Leon Botha, painter and disc jockey (1985β2011)
- Garth Erasmus, visual artist (born 1956)
- Clinton Fein, artist, activist, photographer (born 1964)
- C. G. Finch-Davies, painter and ornithologist (1875β1920)
- Ronald Harrison, painter (1940β2011)
- William Kentridge, painter (born 1955)
- Maggie Laubser, painter (1886β1973)
- Neville Lewis, artist (1895β1972)
- Esther Mahlangu, painter (born 1935)
- Ernest Mancoba, avant-garde artist (1904β2002)
- Judith Mason, artist (1938β2016)
- Conor Mccreedy, artist (born 1987)
- Brett Murray, artist (born 1961)
- Charles Ernest Peers, painter (born 1875)
- George Pemba, visual artist (1912β2001)
- Pierneef, artist (1886β1957)
- Gerard Sekoto, artist and musician (1913β1993)
- Cecil Skotnes, painter (1926β2009)
- Irma Stern, painter (1894β1966)
- Vladimir Tretchikoff, painter (1913β2006)
Photographers
- Kevin Carter (1961β1994)
- Ernest Cole (1940β1990)
- Caroline Gibello (born 1974)
- David Goldblatt, photographer (1930β2018)
- Bob Gosani (1934β1972)
- Alf Kumalo (1930β2012)
- Peter Magubane (1932β2024)
- JΓΌrgen Schadeberg (1931β2020)
- Austin Stevens (born 1951)
Sculptors
- Anton van Wouw (1862β1945)
Performance artists
- Steven Cohen (born 1962)
- Tracey Rose (born 1974)
Architects
- Herbert Baker (1862β1946)
- Gerard Moerdijk (1890β1958)
Business
See also: Category:South African businesspeople
- Raymond Ackerman, businessman (1931β2023)
- Barney Barnato, mining magnate (1852β1897)
- Roelof Botha, venture capitalist and company director (born 1973)
- David Brink, businessman (born 1939)
- John Fairbairn, founder of Mutual Life (1794β1864)
- Vanessa Gounden, South Africa's richest businesswoman (born 1961)
- Morris Kahn, Israeli billionaire, founder and chairman of Aurec Group (born 1930)
- Sol Kerzner, hotel magnate (1935β2020)
- Basetsana Kumalo, former Miss South Africa, presenter and businesswoman (born 1974)
- Gary Lubner (born 1958 or 1959), businessman and philanthropist
- Richard Maponya, richest business man, former owner of Maponya Mall; founder and first president of the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC) (1920β2020)
- Sammy Marks, businessman (1844β1920)
- Nthato Motlana, prominent South African businessman, physician and anti-apartheid activist (1925β2008)
- Bridgette Motsepe, businesswoman (born 1960)
- Patrice Motsepe, businessman (born 1962)
- Elon Musk, Internet and space launch entrepreneur (born 1971)
- Nicky Newton-King, first female CEO of JSE from 2012 to 2019 (born 1966)
- Phiwa Nkambule, Co-founder and CEO of Riovic, founder of Cybatar (born 1992)
- Ratanang Nke, company CEO, director; Public Prosecutor (born 1975)
- Harry Oppenheimer, businessman (1908β2000)
- William G. Pietersen, international businessman, CEO, author, professor (born 1937)
- Charles Purdon, agricultural pioneer (1838β1926)
- Mamphela Ramphele, political activist, academic, businesswoman and mother to the son of Steve Biko (born 1947)
- Cyril Ramaphosa, politician and businessman (born 1952)
- George Rex, pioneer entrepreneur of the Southern Cape (1765β1839)
- Cecil Rhodes, businessman (1853β1902)
- Anton Rupert, businessman and conservationist (1916β2006)
- Johann Rupert, businessman, son of Anton Rupert (born 1950)
- David O. Sacks, web entrepreneur (born 1972)
- Elliot Salkow, founder of Ellies Holdings, (1953β2021)
- Tokyo Sexwale, politician and businessman (born 1953)
- Mark Shuttleworth, web entrepreneur, founder of Thawte and Ubuntu Linux, space tourist (born 1973)
- Mlungisi Sisulu, South African business man (1948β2015)
- Shaka Sisulu, South African social and political activist, entrepreneur and media personality.
Legal, police and military
- Lourens Ackermann, constitutional court judge (born 1934)
- Ismail Ayob, lawyer (born 1942)
- Vernon BerrangΓ©, human rights advocate (1900β1983)
- George Bizos, lawyer (1927β2020)
- Louis Botha, Boer War General, captured Winston Churchill during the Second Boer War, also one of the signatories of the Treaty of Vereeniging (1862β1919)
- Annie Botha, philanthropist and civic leader, wife of Louis Botha
- Arthur Chaskalson, judge (1931β2012)
- Piet CronjΓ©, Boer general and commander-in-chief of ZAR's military forces (1840β1911)
- Beric John Croome, chartered accountant (South Africa), Advocate of the High Court of South Africa, PhD, tax law author and pioneer in taxpayers' rights in South Africa (1960β2019)
- Garnet de la Hunt, the Chief Scout of the Boy Scouts of South Africa, Vice-Chairman of the Africa Scout Committee, and South African World Scout Committee (1933β2014)
- Koos de la Rey, Boer general (1847β1914)
- Pierre de Vos, constitutional law scholar (born 1963)
- Christiaan Rudolph de Wet, Boer general and acting President of the Orange Free State (1854β1922)
- Johannes Christiaan de Wet, legal academic (1912β1990)
- Bram Fischer, advocate QC and political activist (1908β1975)
- Johannes Geldenhuys, South African military commander (1935β2018)
- Ian Gleeson, South African Army officer (1934β2021)
- Richard Goldstone, ex-constitutional court judge (born 1938)
- Harold Hanson, advocate QC (1904β1973)
- John Hlophe,legal expect (1959)
- Sydney Kentridge, former advocate of the Supreme Court and Acting Justice of the Constitutional Court (born 1922)
- Mervyn E. King, former judge of the Supreme Court of South Africa and chairman of the King Committee on Corporate Governance (born 1937)
- Joel Joffe, Baron Joffe, CBE lawyer and Labour peer in the House of Lords (1932β2017)
- Pius Langa, former chief justice of constitutional court (1939β2013)
- Magnus Malan, minister of defence and chief of the South African Defence Force (1930β2011)
- Cecil Margo, judge (1915β2000)
- Richard Mdluli, head of Police Crime Intelligence (born 1958)
- Dunstan Mlambo, Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court of South Africa (born 1960)
- Mogoeng Mogoeng, Chief Justice of South Africa (born 1961)
- Yvonne Mokgoro, former justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa (1950β2024)
- Phetogo Molawa, first black female helicopter pilot in the South African Air Force and the South African National Defence Force
- Sandile Ngcobo, former Chief Justice of South Africa (born 1953)
- Bulelani Ngcuka, director of public prosecutions (born 1954)
- Marmaduke Pattle, highest scoring Allied Air Ace of World War Two (1914β1941)
- Riah Phiyega, national police commissioner
- Vejaynand Ramlakan, South African military commander (1957β2020)
- Barry Roux, defence advocate who has represented Oscar Pistorius, Dave King and Lothar Neethling (born 1955)
- Albie Sachs, justice in constitutional court (born 1935)
- Harry Heinz Schwarz, lawyer (1924β2010)
- Jackie Selebi, national commissioner of police (1950β2015)
- Thembile Skweyiya, South African Constitutional Court judge (1939β2015)
- Percy Sonn, former head of the Directorate of Special Operations (1947β2007)
- Sir Robert Clarkson Tredgold, Chief Justice of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1899β1977)
- Percy Yutar, South Africa's first Jewish attorney-general and prosecutor of Nelson Mandela in the 1963 Rivonia Treason Trial (1911β2002)
Political
Activists and trade unionists
See also: South African activists
- Elizabeth 'Nanna' Abrahams, political activist and trade unionist (1925β2008)
- Zackie Achmat, AIDS activist (born 1962)
- Neil Aggett, political activist and trade unionist (1953β1982)
- Neville Alexander, revolutionary and proponent of a multilingual South Africa (1936β2012)
- Abdul Kader Asmal, South African politician (1934β2011)
- Abu Baker Asvat, founding member of Azapo (1943β1989)
- Zainab Asvat, South African anti-apartheid activist (1920β2013)
- Frances Baard, trade unionist, organiser for the African National Congress Women's League and a Patron of the United Democratic Front (1909β1997)
- Esther Barsel, South African political activist, long-standing member of the South African Communist Party and wife to Hymie Barsel (1924β2008)
- Hymie Barsel, South African activist (1920β1987)
- Jeremy Baskin, trade unionist (born 1956)
- Jean Bernadt, anti-apartheid activist (1914β2011)
- Lionel Bernstein, anti-apartheid activist and political prisoner (1920β2002)
- Edward Bhengu, founder member of the PAC (1934β2010)
- Sibusiso Bengu, politician (born 1934)
- Steve Biko, nonviolent political activist (1946β1977)
- Sonia Bunting, journalist, political and anti-apartheid activist (1922β2001)
- Amina Cachalia, South African anti-Apartheid activist, women's rights activist, politician, and second wife of Yusuf Cachalia (1930β2013)
- Ismail Ahmed Cachalia, South African political activist and a leader of Transvaal Indian Congress and the African National Congress (1908β2003)
- Yusuf Cachalia, South African anti-apartheid activist (1915β1995)
- Fort Calata, political activist and one of The Cradock Four (1956β1985)
- James Calata, political activist and ANC secretary (1895β1983)
- Collins Chabane, South African Minister of Public Service and Administration (1960β2015)
- Laloo Chiba, South African politician and revolutionary (1930β2017)
- Yusuf Dadoo, South African Communist and an anti-apartheid activist (1909β1983)
- Eddie Daniels, anti-apartheid activist (1928β2017)
- Nosipho Dastile, community and anti-Apartheid activist (1938β2009)
- Sophia De Bruyn, political activist (born 1938)
- Amina Desai, political prisoner (1920β2009)
- Lilian Diedericks, South African activist (1925β2021)
- Bettie du Toit, trade unionist, anti-apartheid activist and first wife of Yusuf Cachalia (1910β2002)
- Ebrahim Ebrahim, South African anti-apartheid activist (1937β2021)
- Colin Eglin, South African politician (1925β2013)
- Farid Esack, political activist and opposition to apartheid (born 1959)
- Lucinda Evans, women's right activist (born 1972)
- Ruth First, South African anti-apartheid activist, scholar and wife to Joe Slovo (1925β1982)
- Pregs Govender, human rights activist, former ANC MP, anti-apartheid campaigner (born 1960)
- Irene Grootboom, housing rights activist (c. 1969β2008)
- Denis Goldberg, political activist (1933β2020)
- Arthur Goldreich, abstract painter and anti-apartheid (1929β2011)
- John Gomomo, South African Unionist and activist (1945β2008)
- Matthew Goniwe, political activist and one of the Cradock four (1946β1985)
- Zainunnisa Gool, anti-apartheid political and civil rights leader (1897β1963)
- Joe Nzingo Gqabi, political activist (1929β1981)
- Archibald Gumede, anti-apartheid activist, lawyer and politician (1914β1998)
- Josiah Tshangana Gumede, political activist (1867β1946)
- Harry Gwala, revolutionary leader in the African National Congress and South African Communist Party (1920β1995)
- Nkululeko Gwala, prominent member of the shackdwellers' social movement Abahlali baseMjondolo (died 2013)
- Alcott Skei Gwentshe, shopkeeper and political activist (died 1966)
- Bertha Gxowa, anti-apartheid, women's rights activist and trade unionist (1934β2010)
- Chris Hani, political activist (1942β1993)
- Harold Hanson, politician and advocate (1904β1973)
- Frederick John Harris, South African schoolteacher and anti-apartheid (1937β1965)
- Abdullah Haron, South African Muslim cleric and anti-apartheid activist (1924β1969)
- Ruth Hayman, anti-apartheid campaigner (1913β1981)
- Alexander Hepple, trade unionist, politician, anti-apartheid activist and author and the last leader of the original South African Labour Party (1904β1983)
- Bob Hepple, political activist, leader in the fields of labour law, equality and human rights (1934β2015)
- Bavelile Gloria Hlongwa, South African chemical engineer and politician (1981β2019)
- Bantu Holomisa, political activist (born 1955)
- Timothy Peter Jenkin, anti-apartheid activist, political prisoner and writer (born 1948)
- Helen Joseph, anti-apartheid activist (1905β1992)
- Mthuli ka Shezi, South African playwright, political activist (1947β1972)
- James Kantor, politician, lawyer and writer (1927β1974)
- Ahmed Kathrada, political activist (1929β2017)
- Philip Kgosana, political activist (1936β2017)
- Winnie Kgware, anti-Apartheid activist (1917β1998)
- Alice Kinloch (born 1863), human rights activist and writer
- Wolfie Kodesh, South African Communist party activist (1918β2002)
- Moses Kotane, anti-apartheid activist (1907β1978)
- Ashley Kriel, South African activist (1966β1987)
- Duma Kumalo, South African human rights activist and one of the Sharpeville Six (died 2006)
- Dumisani Kumalo, South African politician (1947β2019)
- Ellen Kuzwayo, political activist (1914β2006)
- Lennox Lagu, political activist (1938β2011)
- Stephen Bernard Lee, anti-apartheid and political prisoner (born 1951)
- Anton Lembede, political activist (1914β1947)
- Moses Mabhida, anti-apartheid activist (1923β1986)
- Phakamile Mabija, anti-apartheid activist (died 1977)
- Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, political activist and former 2nd wife to Nelson Mandela (1936β2018)
- Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi, South African politician (1962β2021)
- Zacharias Richard Mahabane, political activist (1881β1971)
- Mac Maharaj, political activist (born 1935)
- Solomon Mahlangu, Umkhonto we Sizwe operative (1956β1979)
- Vusumzi Make, political activist (1931β2006)
- Sefako Makgatho, political activist (1861β1951)
- Mbuyisa Makhubo, anti-Apartheid activist (born 1957/1958)
- Clarence Makwetu, political activist (1928β2016)
- Adolph Malan, fighter pilot and civil rights activist (1910β1963)
- Zollie Malindi, political activist (1924β2008)
- Nelson Mandela, political activist and first President of South Africa (1918β2013)
- Mosibudi Mangena, South Africa politician (born 1947)
- Isaac Lesiba Maphotho, political activist (1931β2019)
- J. B. Marks, politician activist (1903β1972)
- Jafta Masemola, political activist (1929β1990)
- Emma Mashinini, trade unionist and political leader (1929β2017)
- Tsietsi Mashinini, South African anti-Apartheid activist and student leader of the Soweto uprising on 16 June 1976 (1957β1990)
- Joseph Mathunjwa, Trade union leader and the head of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) (born 1965)
- Florence Matomela, South African anti-pass law activist (1910β1969)
- Joe Matthews, political activist and son of ZK Matthews (1929β2010)
- Z. K. Matthews, political activist (1901β1968)
- Seth Mazibuko, youngest member of the South African Students' Organisation that planned and led the Soweto uprising
- Epainette Mbeki, political activist, mother of Thabo Mbeki and wife to Govan Mbeki (1916β2014)
- Govan Mbeki, political activist and father of Thabo Mbeki (1910β2001)
- Robert McBride, anti-apartheid assassin and later police chief (born 1963)
- A. P. Mda, co-founder of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) and Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (1916β1993)
- Fatima Meer, scientist and political activist (1928β2010)
- Raymond Mhlaba, political activist and the former Premier of the Eastern Cape (1920β2005)
- Sicelo Mhlauli, political activist and one of the Cradock four (1952β1985)
- Jean Middleton, anti-apartheid activist and wife to Harold Strachan (1928β2010)
- Clarence Mini, anti-apartheid activist (1951β2020)
- Vuyisile Mini, unionist and Umkhonto we Sizwe activist (1920β1964)
- Nomhlangano Beauty Mkhize, political activist, shop steward and wife to Saul Mkhize (1946β1977)
- Sparrow Mkhonto, political activist and one of the Cradock four (1951β1985)
- Wilton Mkwayi, political activist (1923β2004)
- Johnson Mlambo, political activist (1940β2021)
- Andrew Mlangeni, political activist (1925β2020)
- Thamsanga Mnyele, anti-apartheid (1948β1985)
- Billy Modise, political activist (1930β2018)
- Joe Modise, political activist (1929β2001)
- Thabo Edwin Mofutsanyana, political activist (1899β1995)
- Mapetla Mohapi, political activist (1947β1976)
- Yunus Mohamed, (sometimes Mahomed) South African lawyer and activist (1950β2008)
- Peter Mokaba, political activist (1959β2002)
- Priscilla Mokaba, political activist and mother of Peter Mokaba (died 2013)
- Ruth Mompati, political activist (1925β2015)
- Moosa Moolla, political activist (1934β2023)
- Strini Moodley, founding member of the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa (1946β2006)
- Rahima Moosa, anti-apartheid activist (1922β1993)
- James Moroka, political activist (1891β1985)
- Zephania Mothopeng, political activist (1913β1990)
- Nthato Motlana, physician and anti-apartheid activist (1925β2008)
- Caroline Motsoaledi, political activist and wife to Elias Motsoaledi (died c.2015)
- Elias Motsoaledi, political activist (1924β1994)
- James Mpanza, political activist (1889β1970)
- Oscar Mpetha, political activist and unionist (1909β1994)
- Eric Mtshali, South African politician, trade unionist, and anti-apartheid activist (1933β2018)
- Griffiths Mxenge, anti-apartheid activist (1935β1981)
- Victoria Mxenge, anti-apartheid activist (1942β1985)
- George Naicker, anti-apartheid activist (1919β1998)
- Monty Naicker, South African anti-apartheid activist and medical doctor (1910β1978)
- Ama Naidoo, anti-apartheid activist (1908β1993)
- Naransamy Roy Naidoo, political (1901β1953)
- Billy Nair, political activist (1929β2008)
- Rita Ndzanga, anti-apartheid activist and trade unionist (1933β2022)
- Mary Ngalo, South African anti-apartheid activist and was also active in fighting for women's rights (died 1973)
- Lilian Ngoyi, anti-apartheid activist (1911β1980)
- Looksmart Ngudle, political activist (1922β1963)
- Joe Nhlanhla, African National Congress national executive and the former South African Minister of Justice (Intelligence Affairs) (1936β2008)
- John Nkadimeng, politician and anti-apartheid activist (1927β2020)
- Vernon Nkadimeng, political activist (1958β1985)
- Nkwenkwe Nkomo, SASO nine member
- William Frederick Nkomo, medical doctor, community leader, political activist and teacher (1915β1972)
- Duma Nokwe, political activist (1927β1978)
- Jabulile Nyawose, trade unionist and anti-apartheid activist (1948β1982)
- Alfred Nzo, political activist (1925β2000)
- Albert Nzula, political activist (1905β1934)
- Abdullah Mohamed Omar, anti-Apartheid activist and lawyer (1934β2004)
- Roy Padayachie, politician and Minister of Public Service and Administration of the Republic of South Africa (1950β2012)
- Aziz Pahad, political activist (born 1940)
- Essop Pahad, political activist (1939β2023)
- Sabelo Phama, revolutionary (1949β1994)
- Motsoko Pheko, politician, lawyer, author, historian, theologian and academic (1930β2024)
- Joyce Piliso-Seroke, South-African educator, activist, feminist and community organizer (born 1933)
- Sol Plaatje, political activist (1876β1932)
- John Nyathi Pokela, political activist (1922/1923β1985)
- Maggie Resha, political activist and wife of Robert Resha (1923β2003)
- Robert Resha, political activist (1920β1978)
- Fabian Ribeiro, South African doctor and anti-apartheid activist (1933β1986)
- Florence Ribeiro, anti-apartheid activist and wife of Fabian Ribeiro (1933β1986)
- Walter Rubusana, first deputy president of the ANC (1856β1936)
- Albie Sachs, political activist (born 1935)
- Harry Schwarz, South African lawyer, statesman and long-time political opposition leader against apartheid in South Africa (1924β2010)
- Jackie Sedibe, South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Major General and politician activist and wife to Joe Modise (born 1945)
- Molefi Sefularo, Deputy Minister of Health (1957β2010)
- James Seipei, teenage United Democratic Front (UDF) activist (1974β1989)
- Nimrod Sejake, labour leader in South Africa, leading member of the Congress of South African Trade Unions and secretary of the Iron Steel Workers (1920β2004)
- Dulcie September, South African anti-apartheid political activist (1935β1988)
- Reggie September, activist (1923β2013)
- Nomvuzo Shabalala, politician (1960β2020)
- Gertrude Shope, South African trade unionist and politician (born 1925)
- Gert Sibande, political activist (1907β1987)
- Archie Sibeko, political activist and trade unionist (1928β2018)
- David Sibeko, South Africa politician and journalist (1938β1979)
- Letitia Sibeko, political activist and wife to Archie Sibeko (1930β??)
- Joyce Nomafa Sikakane, South African journalist and activist (born 1943)
- Annie Silinga, South African anti-pass laws and anti-apartheid political activist (1910β1984)
- Jack Simons, political activist (1907β1995)
- Rachel Simons, communist and trade unionist and wife to Jack Simons (1914β2004)
- Albertina Sisulu, political activist and wife of Walter Sisulu (1918β2011)
- Walter Sisulu, political activist (1912β2003)
David Sipunzi, South African trade unionis (1960β2020)
- Zola Skweyiya, political activist (1942β2018)
- Joe Slovo, South African politician, and an opponent of the apartheid system (1926β1995)
- Robert Sobukwe, political activist and founder of PAC (1924β1978)
- Veronica Sobukwe, political activist and wife to Robert Sobukwe (1927β2018)
- Makhenkesi Stofile, political activist (1944β2016)
- Harold Strachan, anti-apartheid activist (1925β2020)
- Helen Suzman, South African anti-apartheid activist and politician (1917β2009)
- Isaac Bangani Tabata, political activist (1909β1990)
- Dora Tamana, South African anti-apartheid activist (1901β1983)
- Adelaide Tambo, political activist and wife to Oliver Tambo (1929β2007)
- Oliver Tambo, political activist (1917β1993)
- Selope Thema, South African political activist and leader (1886β1955)
- Mary Thipe, anti-apartheid and human rights activist (1917β2002)
- Mohammed Tikly, South African educator and struggle veteran (1939β2020)
- Ahmed Timol, anti-apartheid activist, political leader and activist in the underground South African Communist Party (SACP) (1941β1971)
- Abram Onkgopotse Tiro, South African student political activist (1945β1974)
- Steve Tshwete, political activist (1938β2002)
- Ben Turok, anti-apartheid activist and Economics Professor (1927β2019)
- Moses Twebe, South African politician (1916β2013)
- Zwelinzima Vavi, former general secretary of COSATU, and Trade union leader SAFTU (born 1962)
- Randolph Vigne, anti-apartheid activist (1928β2016)
- Sheila Weinberg, anti-apartheid activist (1945β2004)
- AnnMarie Wolpe, sociologist, feminist, anti-apartheid activist and wife to Harold Wolpe (1930β2018)
- Harold Wolpe, lawyer, sociologist, political economist and anti-apartheid activist (1926β1996)
- Khoisan X, political activist (1955β2010)
- Alfred Xuma, political activist and ANC president (1893β1962)
- Tony Yengeni, anti-Apartheid activist (born 1954)
Apartheid operatives
- Wouter Basson, apartheid scientist (born 1950)
- Dirk Coetzee, apartheid covert operative (1945β2013)
- Eugene de Kock, apartheid assassin (born 1949)
- Clive Derby-Lewis, assassin and former parliamentarian (1936β2016)
- Jimmy Kruger, apartheid Minister of Justice and the Police (1917β1987)
- Lothar Neethling, apartheid forensic scientist (1935β2005)
- Barend Strydom, convicted murderer and white supremacist activist (born 1965)
- EugΓ¨ne Terre'Blanche, white supremacist activist (1941β2010)
- Adriaan Vlok, apartheid Minister of Law and Order (born 1937)
- Craig Williamson, apartheid spy (born 1949)
Colonial and Union Governors
See also: List of governors of British South African colonies#Cape Colony, List of governors of British South African colonies Β§ Natal Colony, Natal Governors, Orange River Governors, and Transvaal Governors
- George Grey, Cape governor (1812β1898)
- Jan Willem Janssens, Cape Governor (1762β1838)
- Benjamin d'Urban, Cape Governor (1834β1837)
- Benjamin Pine, Natal governor (1809β1891)
- Harry Smith, Cape governor 1847β52 (1787β1860)
- Andries StockenstrΓΆm, governor of British Kaffraria (1792β1864)
- Simon van der Stel, first Cape governor (1639β1712)
- Willem Adriaan van der Stel, second Cape governor (1664β1723)
- Jan van Riebeeck, founder of Cape settlement (1619β1677)
- Nicolaas Jacobus de Wet, Chief Justice of South Africa and acting Governor-General (1873β1960)
Leaders and politicians
See also: South African politicians
- Ken Andrew, politician (born 1943)
- Kader Asmal, an activist, politician and professor of human rights (1934β2011)
- Sibusiso Bengu, politician (born 1934)
- Steve Biko, nonviolent political activist (1946β1977)
- Thozamile Botha, politician (born 1948)
- Cheryl Carolus, politician (born 1958)
- Yusuf Dadoo, doctor and politician (1909β1983)
- Patricia de Lille, politician (born 1951)
- Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, politician (born 1949)
- John Langalibalele Dube, founder and first president of ANC (1871β1946)
- Abba Eban, Israeli diplomat and politician, and President of the Weizmann Institute of Science (1915β2002)
- De Villiers Graaff, United Party opposition leader (1913β1999)
- Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, journalist and politician (1845β1909)
- Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, academic and politician (1894β1948)
- Danny Jordaan, politician and soccer administrator (born 1951)
- Tony Leon, DA opposition leader (born 1956)
- Albert Luthuli, President of the African National Congress, 1952β67 (1898β1967)
- Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, politician and second wife of Nelson Mandela (1936β2018)
- Trevor Manuel, minister of finance (born 1956)
- Lindiwe Mazibuko, former Parliamentary Leader for the opposition Democratic Alliance (born 1980)
- Govan Mbeki, political activist and father of Thabo Mbeki (1910β2001)
- Roelf Meyer, politician and businessman (born 1947)
- Raymond Mhlaba, political activist and the former Premier of the Eastern Cape (1920β2005)
- Vuyisile Mini, unionist and Umkhonto we Sizwe activist (1920β1964)
- Johnson Mlambo, political activist (1940β2021)
- Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, deputy president (born 1955)
- Pieter Mulder, leader of the Freedom Front Plus and former deputy minister of agriculture (born 1951)
- Gagathura (Monty) Mohambry Naicker, medical doctor and politician (1910β1978)
- Bulelani Ngcuka, politician (born 1954)
- Dullah Omar, politician (1934β2004)
- Andries Pretorius, Boer leader and commandant-general (1799β1853)
- Deneys Reitz, boer commando, deputy Prime Minister and High Commissioner to London (1882β1944)
- Pixley ka Isaka Seme, ANC founder member (1881β1951)
- Mbhazima Shilowa, trade unionist and premier (born 1958)
- Walter Sisulu, political activist (1912β2003)
- Ruth First-Slovo, political activist and wife to Joe Slovo (1924β1982)
- Joe Slovo, politician (1926β1995)
- Harry Schwarz, lawyer, politician, ambassador to United States and anti-apartheid leader (1924β2010)
- Robert Sobukwe, political activist and founder of PAC (1924β1978)
- Helen Suzman, politician (1917β2009)
- Oliver Tambo, political activist (1917β1993)
- Catherine Taylor, politician (1914β1992)
- Frederik van Zyl Slabbert, PFP opposition leader (1940β2010)
- Helen Zille, former DA opposition leader, former premier of the Western Cape (born 1951)
- Jacob Zuma, former president (born 1942)
Prime Ministers and presidents
See also: Prime Ministers of the Cape Colony
- Jacobus Boshoff, 2nd President of the Orange Free State (1808β1881)
- Louis Botha, Boer commander-in-chief and 1st Prime Minister of South Africa (1862β1919)
- Pieter Willem Botha, 9th and last Prime Minister and 8th State President of South Africa (1916β2006)
- Johannes Henricus Brand, 4th President of the Orange Free State (1823β1888)
- Thomas FranΓ§ois Burgers, 4th President of South African Republic (1871β1877)
- Schalk Willem Burger, 6th and last President of South African Republic (1852β1918)
- Frederik Willem de Klerk, 9th and last State President of South Africa (1990β1994) and joint Nobel Peace Prize winner (1936β2021)
- Nicolaas Johannes Diederichs, 4th State President of South Africa (1903β1978)
- Jacobus Johannes FouchΓ©, 3rd State President of South Africa (1898β1980)
- James Barry Munnik Hertzog, Boer general and 3rd Prime Minister of South Africa (1866β1942)
- Josias Hoffman, 1st President of the Orange Free State (1807β1879)
- Petrus Jacobus Joubert, Boer general and member of the Troika in the South African Republic (1834β1900)
- Paul Kruger, member of the Troika, 5th President of South African Republic (1825β1904)
- Daniel FranΓ§ois Malan, 5th Prime Minister of South Africa and is responsible for laying the groundwork for Apartheid (1874β1959)
- Nelson Mandela, 1st democratically elected President of South Africa and joint Nobel Peace Prize winner (1918β2013)
- Thabo Mbeki, 2nd post-apartheid President of South Africa (born 1942)
- John X. Merriman, last prime minister of the Cape Colony (1841β1926)
- Kgalema Motlanthe, 3rd post-apartheid President of South Africa (born 1949)
- Tom NaudΓ©, 2nd State President of South Africa (1889β1969)
- Marthinus Wessel Pretorius, 3rd President of the Orange Free State, 1st and 3rd President of the ZAR (1819β1901)
- Marthinus Prinsloo, 1st President of the Republic of Graaff-Reinet (1751β1825)
- Cyril Ramaphosa, 5th post-apartheid President of South Africa (born 1952)
- Francis William Reitz, 5th President of the Orange Free State (1844β1934)
- Jan Smuts, Boer general, British field marshal, 2nd and 4th Prime Minister of South Africa (1870β1950)
- Johannes Strijdom, 6th Prime Minister of South Africa (1893β1958)
- Hermanus Steyn, 1st and last President of the Republic of Swellendam (1743β1804)
- Martinus Theunis Steyn, 6th and last President of the Orange Free State (1857β1916)
- Charles Robberts Swart, last Governor-General of the Union of South Africa and 1st State President of the RSA (1894β1982)
- Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd, 7th Prime Minister of South Africa and primary architect of Apartheid (1901β1966)
- Marais Viljoen, 5th and 7th State President of South Africa (1915β2007)
- Balthazar Johannes Vorster, 8th Prime Minister and 6th State President of South Africa (1915β1983)
- Jacob Zuma, 4th post-apartheid President of South Africa (born 1942)
Provincial Premiers
See also: South African Premiers
- Nosimo Balindlela, 3rd Premier of the Eastern Cape (born 1949)
- Lynne Brown, (interim) 6th Premier of the Western Cape (born 1961)
- Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, 2nd Premier of the Free State (1937β2009)
- Grizelda Cjiekella, (acting) Premier of the Northern Cape (1970β2012)
- Manne Dipico, 1st Premier of the Northern Cape (born 1959)
- Winkie Direko, 3rd Premier of the Free State (1929β2012)
- Hazel Jenkins, 3rd Premier of the Northern Cape (born 1960)
- Noxolo Kiviet, 5th Premier of the Eastern Cape (born 1963)
- Hernus Kriel, 1st Premier of the Western Cape (1941β2015)
- Mosiuoa Lekota, 1st Premier of the Free State (born 1948)
- Sylvia Lucas, 4th Premier of the Northern Cape (born 1964)
- David Mabuza, 4th Premier of Mpumalanga (born 1960)
- Ace Magashule, 5th Premier of the Free State (born 1959)
- Supra Mahumapelo, 5th Premier of North West (born 1968)
- David Makhura, 6th Premier of Gauteng (born 1968)
- Thabang Makwetla, 3rd Premier of Mpumalanga (born 1957)
- Peter Marais, 3rd Premier of the Western Cape (born 1948)
- Beatrice Marshoff, 4th Premier of the Free State (born 1957)
- Paul Mashatile, 4th Premier of Gauteng (born 1961)
- Stanley Mathabatha, 4th Premier of Limpopo (born 1957)
- Cassel Mathale, 3rd Premier of Limpopo (born 1961)
- Senzo Mchunu, 6th Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (born 1958)
- Willies Mchunu, 7th Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (born 1948)
- Frank Mdlalose, 1st Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (1931β2021)
- Raymond Mhlaba, 1st Premier of the Eastern Cape (1920β2005)
- Zweli Mkhize, 5th Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (born 1956)
- Thandi Modise, 4th Premier of North West (born 1959)
- Maureen Modiselle, 3rd Premier of North West (born 1941)
- Job Mokgoro, 6th Premier of North West (born 1948)
- Nomvula Mokonyane, 5th Premier of Gauteng (born 1963)
- Popo Molefe, 1st Premier of North West (born 1952)
- Edna Molewa, 2nd Premier of North West (1957β2018)
- Sello Moloto, 2nd Premier of Limpopo (born 1964)
- Gerald Morkel, 2nd Premier of the Western Cape (1941β2018)
- Mathole Motshekga, 2nd Premier of Gauteng (born 1949)
- Lionel Mtshali, 3rd Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (1935β2015)
- Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane, 5th Premier of Mpumalanga (born 1972/73)
- S'bu Ndebele, 4th Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (born 1948)
- Ben Ngubane, 2nd Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (1941β2021)
- Sisi Ntombela, 6th Premier of the Free State (born 1956/1957)
- Dipuo Peters, 2nd Premier of the Northern Cape (born 1960)
- Mathews Phosa, 1st Premier of Mpumalanga (born 1952)
- Ngoako Ramathlodi, 1st Premier of Limpopo (born 1955)
- Leonard Ramatlakane, (acting) Premier of the Western Cape (born 1953)
- Ebrahim Rasool, 5th Premier of the Western Cape (born 1962)
- Zamani Saul, 5th Premier of the Northern Cape (born 1972)
- Tokyo Sexwale, 1st Premier of Gauteng (born 1953)
- Mbhazima Shilowa, 3rd Premier of Gauteng (born 1958)
- Mbulelo Sogoni, 4th Premier of the Eastern Cape (born 1966)
- Makhenkesi Stofile, 2nd Premier of the Eastern Cape (1944β2016)
- Marthinus van Schalkwyk, 4th Premier of the Western Cape (born 1959)
- Alan Winde, 8th Premier of the Western Cape (born 1965)
- Sihle Zikalala, 8th Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (born 1973)
- Helen Zille, 7th Premier of the Western Cape (born 1951)
Homelands Leaders
See also: Heads of state of Bophuthatswana, Heads of state of Ciskei, Chief Ministers of Gazankulu, Chief Ministers of KaNgwane, Chief Ministers of KwaNdebele, Chief Ministers of KwaZulu, Chief Ministers of Lebowa, Chief Ministers of QwaQwa, Heads of government of Transkei, Heads of state of Transkei, and Heads of state of Venda
- Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Chief Executive Councillor and Chief Minister of KwaZulu (1928β2023)
- Prince Johannes Mkolishi Dlamini, chief executive officer of KaNgwane (1928β1988)
- Oupa Gqozo, President of Ciskei (born 1952)
- Gen. Bantu Holomisa, Prime Minister of Transkei (born 1955)
- Chief Thandathu Jongilizwe Mabandla, chief executive officer; Chief Executive Councillor and Chief Minister of Ciskei (1926β2021)
- Dr. Enos John Mabuza, Chief Minister of KaNgwane (1939β1997)
- Prince James Mahlangu, Chief Minister of KwaNdebele (1953β2005)
- Rocky Malebane-Metsing, President of Bophuthatswana (1949β2016)
- Kgosi Lucas Mangope, chief executive officer; Chief Executive Councillor; Chief Minister and President of Bophuthatswana (1923β2018)
- Chief George Matanzima, Prime Minister of Transkei (1918β2000)
- King Kaiser Matanzima, Chief Minister; Prime Minister and President of Transkei (1915β2003)
- Edward Mhinga, acting Chief Minister of Gazankulu (1927β2017)
- Job Mokgoro, Administrator (Transitional Executive Council) of Bophuthatswana (born 1948)
- Kenneth Mopeli, Chief Executive Councillor and Chief Minister of Qwaqwa (1930β2014)
- Chief Patrick Mphephu, chief executive officer; Chief Executive Councillor; Chief Minister and the President of Venda (1924β1988)
- King Tutor Vulindlela Ndamase, President of Transkei (1921β1997)
- Hudson William Edison Ntsanwisi, Chief of Minister of Gazankulu (1920β1993)
- Samuel Dickenson Nxumalo, Chief Minister of Gazankulu (1926β2017)
- Dr. Cedric Phatudi, Chief Minister of Lebowa (1912β1987)
- Nelson Ramodike, Chief Minister of Lebowa (died 2012)
- Gabriel Ramushwana, Head of State of Venda (1941β2015)
- Frank Ravele, Head of State of Venda (1926β1999)
- Lt. Gen. Charles Sebe, acting Chief Minister of Ciskei (died c.1991)
- Chief Lennox Sebe, Chief Minister and President of Ciskei (1926β1994)
- King Botha Sigcau, President of Transkei and father of Stella Sigcau (died c.1978)
- Stella Sigcau, Prime of Transkei (1937β2006)
- Tjaart van der Walt, Administrator Transitional Executive Council of Bophuthatswana (1934β2019)
- Mangisi Zitha, the last Chief Minister of KaNgwane
Administrators of former provinces
- Cornelius Botha, 12th and last Administrator of the Natal Province (1932β2014)
- Stoffel Botha, 10th Administrator of the Natal Province (1929β1998)
- Radclyffe Cadman, 11th Administrator of the Natal Province (1924β2011)
- Dr Willem Adriaan Cruywagen, 10th Administrator of the Transvaal Province (1921β2013)
- Nicolaas Frederic de Waal, 1st Administrator of the Cape Province (1853β1932)
- Jim FouchΓ©, 8th Administrator of the Orange Free State Province (1898β1980)
- Theo Gerdener, 8th Administrator of the Natal Province (1916β2013)
- Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, 3rd Administrator of the Transvaal Province (1894β1948)
- Gene Louw, 13th Administrator of the Cape Province (1931β2015)
- Nico Malan, 10th Administrator of the Cape Province
- William Nico, 7th Administrator of the Transvaal Province (1887β1967)
- Frans Hendrik Odendaal, 8th Administrator of the Transvaal Province (1898β1966)
- Denis Gem Shepstone, 6th Administrator of the Natal Province (1888β1966)
- Alfred Ernest Trollip, 7th Administrator of the Natal Province (1895β1972)
- Johannes Van Rensburg, 6th Administrator of the Orange Free State Province (1898β1966)
- Gideon Brand van Zyl, 5th Administrator of the Cape Province (1873β1956)
- Sir Cornelius Hermanus Wessels, 2nd Administrator of the Orange Free State Province (1851β1924)
Royalty
Kings, queens, princes and princesses
See also: Southern Ndebele people Β§ Ndebele kings, List of rulers of the Xhosa Β§ Xhosa Kingship Line, and List of Zulu kings
- Cetshwayo kaMpande, 4th Zulu king (1826β1884)
- Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon, 7th Zulu king (1924β1945)
- Goodwill Zwelethini, 8th king of the Zulu nation (1948β2021)
- Mantifombi Dlamini, wife of Goodwill Zweilithini and former Queen of Zulu nation (1956β2021)
- Mangosuthu Buthelezi, politician and a Zulu prince (1928β2023)
- Dingane kaSenzangakhona, 2nd Zulu king and half-brother of Shaka (1795β1840)
- Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo, 5th Zulu king, not officially recognized (1868β1913)
- Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, Aa! Zwelibanzi! King of the Thembu (born 1964)
- Sabata Dalindyebo, Aa! Jonguhlanga! King of the Thembu (1928β1986)
- Faku kaNgqungqushe, King of the Mpondo (1780β1867)
- Hintsa ka Khawuta, Aa! Zanzolo! King of Xhosa Nation (1780β1835)
- Khawuta kaGcaleka, Aa! Khala! King of the Xhosa Nation (1761β1804)
- Langalibalele, Hlubi king (1814β1889)
- Ingwenyama Mayitjha II, 7th Ndebele, king of Ndzundza-Mabhoko (1947β2005)
- Magogo kaDinuzulu, Zulu princess and mother of Mangosuthu Buthelezi (1900β1984)
- Mampuru II, king of the Marota (or Bapedi) (died c.1883)
- Lwandile Matanzima, Aa! Zwelenkosi! King of the Western Thembu (1970/71β2010)
- Luzuko Matiwane, Aa! Zwelozuko! King of AmaMpondomise (born 1978)
- Maselekwane Modjadji, Balobedu's 1st Rain Queen (died 1854)
- Masalanabo Modjadji, Balobedu's 2nd Rain Queen (died 1894)
- Khetoane Modjadji, Balobedu's 3rd Rain Queen (1869β1959)
- Makoma Modjadji, Balobedu's 4th Rain Queen (1905β1980)
- Mokope Modjadji, Balobedu's 5th Rain Queen (1936β2001)
- Makobo Modjadji, Balobedu's 6th Rain Queen (1978β2005)
- Mkabayi kaJama, Zulu princess and sister of Senzangakhona (1750β1843)
- Mpande, 3rd Zulu king and half-brother of Shaka (1798β1872)
- Mthimkhulu II, King of the AmaHlubi (1778β1818)
- Mzilikazi, king of the Matabele (1790β1868)
- Nandi, Mhlongo princess and mother of Shaka (1760β1827)
- Tutor Vulindlela Ndamase, Nyangelizwe! King of the Western Pondo (1921β1997)
- Ngqungqushe kaNyawuza, Mpondo King (1715/1760β1810/1815)
- Ngubengcuka, Aa! Ndaba! prominent king of the abaThembu (died 1830)
- Emma Sandile, (1842β1892), Aa! Emma! Xhosa Princess and the daughter of King Sandile kaNgqika (1842β1892)
- Sandile kaNgqika, Aa! Mgolombane! Xhosa king of the Right Hand House of the Xhosa Nation (1820β1878)
- Zanesizwe Sandile, Aa! Zanesizwe! King of the Right Hand House of the Xhosa Nation (1956β2011)
- Noloyiso Sandile, Aa! Noloyiso! Zulu Princess and Rharhabe Regent Queen (1963β2020)
- Sarili kaHintsa, Aa! Krili! King Of The Xhosa Nation (c. 1810β1892)
- Botha Sigcau, Jongilizwe! King of the Eastern Pondo (died 1978)
- Xolilizwe Sigcawu, Aa! Xolilizwe! Xhosa King (1926β2005)
- Zwelonke Sigcawu, Aa! Zwelonke! Xhosa king (1968β2019)
- Sekhukhune, king of the Marota (or Bapedi) (1814β1882)
- Senzangakhona kaJama, Zulu king and father of Shaka (1762β1816)
- Shaka, founder of the Zulu nation (1787β1828)
- Solomon kaDinuzulu, 6th Zulu king, not officially recognized (1891β1933)
- Victor Thulare III, king of the Pedi (1980β2021)
- uZibhebhu kaMaphitha, Zulu prince and chief (1841β1904)
Tribal leaders and prophets
See also: Gcaleka rulers,
Rharhabe rulers
Ndwandwe people,
Xhosa Chiefs
- Bambatha kaMancinza, Zulu chief of the amaZondi clan and Bambatha Rebellion (1865β1906)
- Chief Albert Luthuli, Zulu chief and political activist (1898β1967)
- Adam Kok, Griqua leader (1811β1875)
- David Stuurman, Khoi chief and political activist (1773β1830)
- Thandatha Jongilizwe Mabandla, Aa! Jongilizwe! amaBhele chief, Tyume Valley, Alice, Ciskei (1926β2021)
- Makhanda, amaXhosa prophet (died 1819)
- Maqoma, Aa! Jongumsobomvu! amaRharhabe chief (1798β1873)
- Chief Mqalo, Amakhuze chief, Ciskei region (1916β2008)
- Moshoeshoe I, Basotho chief (c. 1786β1870)
- Nongqawuse, millennialist amaXhosa prophetess (c. 1840β1898)
- Ntsikana, amaXhosa prophet (1780β1821)
- Lennox Sebe, Chief of AmaNtinde (1926β1994)
- Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Sigcau, traditional leader of Lwandlolubomvu Traditional Council (1947β1996)
- Sigananda kaSokufa, Zulu aristocrat (c. 1815β1906)
- Hendrik Spoorbek, prophet and magician (died 1845)
- Mbongeleni Zondi, Zulu chief and great-grandson of Inkosi Bambatha kaMancinza (1969β2009)
Atheists
See also: South African Atheists
- Zackie Achmat, AIDS activist, (born 1962)
- David Benatar, professor of philosophy (born 1966)
- Barry Duke, activist, journalist, editor of The Freethinker (born 1947)
- Nadine Gordimer, activist, writer, Nobel laureate (1923β2014)
- Chris Hani, politician (1942β1993)
- Ronnie Kasrils, politician (born 1938)
- Govan Mbeki, political activist and father of Thabo Mbeki (1910β2001)
- Jacques Rousseau, secular activist, social commentator (born 1971)
- Harold Rubin, visual artist, musician (1932β2020)
- Joe Slovo, politician (1926β1995)
- Lewis Wolpert, author, biologist, broadcaster (1929β2021)
Prelates, clerics and evangelists
See also: Anglican bishops of Grahamstown
- William Anderson, missionary (1769β1852)
- Nicholas Bhengu, evangelist and founder of Assemblies of God (1909β1986)
- Allan Boesak, cleric and anti-apartheid activist (born 1945)
- David Jacobus Bosch, missiologist and theologian (1929β1992)
- Angus Buchan, evangelist (born 1947)
- Frank Chikane, cleric and anti-apartheid activist (born 1951)
- John William Colenso, Anglican bishop of Natal (1814β1883)
- Mvume Dandala, former presiding bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa and a former head of the All Africa Conference of Churches (born 1951)
- Ahmed Deedat (1918β2005)
- S.J. du Toit, cleric, Afrikaans language pioneer and founder member of the Genootskap vir Regte Afrikaners (1847β1911)
- Allan Hendrickse, cleric and MP (1927β2005)
- Denis Hurley, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Durban (1915β2004)
- Edward Lekganyane, the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) leader (1922β1967)
- Engenas Lekganyane, the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) founder (1885β1948)
- Albert Luthuli, cleric, politician and 1960 Nobel Peace Prize winner (c. 1898β1967)
- Thabo Makgoba, current Archbishop of Cape Town and Primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (born 1960)
- Charlotte Maxeke, religious leader and political activist (1874β1939)
- Ray McCauley, head of Rhema church (born 1949)
- Enoch Mgijima, Xhosa prophet and evangelist (1868β1928)
- Robert Moffat, missionary, Bible translator and founder of Kuruman (1795β1883)
- Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, Catholic priest (born 1939)
- Frederick Samuel Modise, founder of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (1914β1998)
- Glayton Modise, the International Pentecostal Holiness Church leader (1940β2016)
- Andrew Murray (1828β1917)
- Zithulele Patrick Mvemve, South African Roman Catholic bishop (1941β2020)
- Zithulele Patrick Mvemve, South African Roman Catholic bishop (1941β2020)
- Selby Mvusi, theologian and artist (1929β1967)
- Wilfrid Napier, cardinal of the Catholic Church (born 1941)
- Beyers NaudΓ©, cleric and anti-apartheid activist (1915β2004)
- Jozua NaudΓ©, pastor, school founder and co-founder of the Afrikaner Broederbond (1873β1948)
- Njongonkulu Ndungane, South African Anglican bishop and a former prisoner on Robben Island (born 1941)
- Carl Niehaus, theologian and former spokesman of South African president Nelson Mandela (born 1959)
- Albert Nolan, Catholic priest (1934β2022)
- Ntsikana, Christian Xhosa prophet, evangelist and hymn writer (1780β1821)
- John Philip, missionary (1775β1851)
- Barney Pityana, human rights lawyer and theologian (born 1945)
- Ambrose Reeves, Anglican bishop and opponent of Apartheid (1899β1980)
- [[Walter Rubusana, first deputy president of the ANC and cleric (1856β1936)
- David Russell, South African Anglican bishop (1938β2014)
- Isaiah Shembe, the Church of Nazareth founder (1865β1935)
- Tiyo Soga, Xhosa journalist, minister, translator, missionary evangelist, and composer of hymns (1829β1871)
- Desmond Tutu, cleric and Nobel Peace Prize winner (1931β2021)
- William Cullen Wilcox, missionary (1850β1928)
Sport
Main article: List of South African sportspeople
Conservationists
- Ian Player (1927β2014)
- James Stevenson-Hamilton (1867β1957)
- John Varty (born 1950)
Food
- Bertus Basson (born 1979)
- Karen Dudley (born 1968)
- Prue Leith (born 1940)
- Abigail Mbalo-Mokoena
- Jenny Morris
- Nompumelelo Mqwebu (born 1977)
- Siba Mtongana (born 1984)
- Kamini Pather (born 1983)
- Reuben Riffel (born 1974)
- Lesego Semenya (1982β2021)
- Faldela Williams (1952β2014)
Travelers, adventurers and pioneers
- Alexander Biggar, colonial pioneer (1781β1838)
- Jeanne M. Borle, missionary and naturalist (1880 β ca. 1979)
- William John Burchell, naturalist traveler (1781β1863)
- Francisco de Almeida, adventurer buried in Cape Town (c. 1450β1510)
- Bartolomeu Dias, explorer who reached eastern Cape (c. 1450β1500)
- John Dunn, colonial pioneer (1833β1895)
- Robert Jacob Gordon, explorer, soldier, naturalist (1743β1795)
- Emil Holub, explorer (1847β1902)
- Nathaniel Isaacs, Natal traveler (1808β1872)
- Dick King, colonial pioneer (1813β1871)
- FranΓ§ois Levaillant, Cape naturalist traveler (1753β1824)
- Karl Mauch, traveling geologist (1873β1875)
- Harriet A. Roche, Transvaal traveler (1835β1921)
- Carl Peter Thunberg, Cape naturalist traveler (1743β1828)
- Sibusiso Vilane, first black African to summit Mount Everest (born 1970)
- Kingsley Holgate, traveler and pioneer (born 1946)
- Mike Horn, explorer, traveler, environmentalist, adventurer (born 1966)
- James Alexander, explorer of the west coast and Namibia (1803β1885)
- Saray Khumalo, explorer and mountaineer (born 1972)
Criminals
- Thabo Bester, convicted criminal, rapist and serial killer (born 1986)
- Daisy de Melker, second woman to be hanged for murder under the Union of South Africa (1886β1932)
- William Foster, leader of the Foster Gang
- Allan Heyl, Stander Gang member and bank robber (died 2020)
- Cedric Maake, serial killer (born 1965)
- Bulelani Mabhayi, serial killer (born 1974)
- Nandipha Magudumana, Fraudster, corruptionst, con-artist, prison escaper, violater of bodies (born 1989)
- Simon Majola, robber and serial killer who, with (born 1968)
- Fanuel Makamu, robber, rapist and serial killer (born 1977)
- Andries Makgae, serial killer and rapist (born 1962)
- Lee McCall, Stander Gang member and bank robber (1950β1984)
- Nicholas Lungisa Ncama, a rapist and serial killer
- Velaphi Ndlangamandla, robber and serial killer (born 1966)
- Solomon Ngobeni, the last person to be executed by the government of South Africa (died 1989)
- Butana Almond Nofomela, murder (born 1957)
- Gert van Rooyen, paedophile (1938β1990)
- Khangayi Sedumedi, Killer South African serial killer and rapist (born 1977)
- Schabir Shaik, convicted fraudster
- Norman Afzal Simons, rapist and serial killer (born 1967)
- Moses Sithole, convicted serial rapist and murderer (born 1964)
- Rashied Staggie, crime boss (1961β2019)
- Andre Stander, gang member (1946β1984)
- Thozamile Taki, serial killer (born 1971)
- Sipho Thwala, rapist and serial killer (born 1968)
- Dorethea van der Merwe, first woman to be hanged for murder under the Union of South Africa
- Bulelani Vukwana, spree killer (c. 1973β2002)
- Elias Xitavhudzi, serial killer
- Christopher Mhlengwa Zikode, rapist and serial killer (born 1975)
Other
- Sir Herbert Baker, influential in South African architecture (1862β1946)
- Nozipho Bhengu, woman whose death was from an AIDS-related illness (1974β2006)
- Fredie Blom, South African supercentenarian Fredie Blom (1904β2020)
- Denise Darvall, considered to be donor for the first human heart transplant (1943β1967)
- Ncoza Dlova, heralded as first black female head of University of KwaZulu-Natal's School of Clinical Medicine
- NapolΓ©on EugΓ¨ne, last of Napoleons who died in Zulu war (1856β1879)
- Emily Hobhouse, African British welfare campaigner for South Africans (1860β1926)
- John Hutchinson, thorough contributor to South African botany (1884β1972)
- Nkosi Johnson, child who died of AIDS (1989β2001)
- Isabel Jean Jones, early consumer advocate journalist (died 2008)
- Masego Kgomo, South African girl murdered (1999β2009)
- Marie Koopmans-de Wet, South African philanthropist and hostess (1834β1906)
- Sandra Laing, racial classification victim (born 1955)
- Paul Lloyd Jr, first South African wrestler to wrestle in WWE, son of successful SA wrestling promoter Paul Lloyd (born 1981)
- Asnath Mahapa, first female South African pilot (born 1979)
- Joe Mamasela, former Apartheid government spy (born 1953)
- Nomkhitha Virginia Mashinini, South African apartheid detainee, the mother of political figure Tsietsi Mashinini, and a community worker (1935β2008)
- Leigh Matthews, South African university student, kidnapped and murdered (1983β2004)
- Breaker Morant, Australian Boer War soldier executed by the British Army (1864β1902)
- Uyinene Mrwetyana, South African student, raped and murdered (2000β2019)
- Hastings Ndlovu, poster victim of the Soweto riots (1961β1976)
- Hector Pieterson, poster victim of the Soweto riots (1964β1976)
- Mrs. Ples, hominid fossil (born c. 2.6 to 2.8 million years ago)
- Raymond Rahme, first African to reach a final table at a World Series of Poker Main Event, finishing third (born 1945)
- Willem Ratte, soldier and criminal (born 1948)
- Rosenkowitz sextuplets, first known set of sextuplets to survive their infancy (born 1974)
- Thandi Sibisi, art dealer, gallery owner (born 1986)
- Maki Skosana, necklaced due to be suspected as a police informerβ(1961β1985)
- Reeva Steenkamp, South African model and paralegal (1983β2013)
- Adam Tas, colonial activist (1668β1722)
- Andries Tatane, Ficksburg activist killed by police (1978β2011)
- Taung Child, hominid fossil (born c. 2.5 million years ago)
- Louis Washkansky, recipient of first human heart transplant (1913β1967)
- Wolraad Woltemade, colonial hero figure (c. 1708β1773)
See also
- Great South Africans, television program listing the 100 greatest South Africans as voted for by viewers
- List of South African office-holders
- List of Southern Ndebele people
- List of State leaders in the 20th century (1951β2000)
- List of white Africans of European ancestry
- List of Xhosa people
- List of Zulu people
- Lists of people by nationality
- They Shaped Our Century, survey by Media24 in 1999 about 100 most influential South Africans (and people associated with South Africa) of the twentieth century
References
- Anonymous (17 February 2011). "Dr. Benedict Wallet Vilakazi". South African History Online. Archived from the original on 20 December 2009. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- "P Tymms: P.B. Tymms: Peter Tymms". scholar.google.com. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- "SA professor enters ranks of Royal elite". Mail & Guardian Online. 19 July 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
- "South Africa's Ultimate Brand Ambassador 2013 | News24". M.news24.com. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
- "Jewish Report : Lieberman being sidelined as Israeli foreign minister" (PDF). Sajr.co.za. 10 July 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2017.