List of South Africans

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

Academics

 * Estian Calitz, academic (born 1949)
 * Miriam Green, academic now living in England
 * Adam Habib, political scientist
 * Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, academic and politician (1894–1948)
 * Tshilidzi Marwala, academic and businessman (born 1971)
 * Njabulo Ndebele, Principal of the University of Cape Town (born 1948)
 * D. C. S. Oosthuizen, philosopher, (1926–1968)
 * Adriaan N Pelzer, historian and Vice-Principal University Pretoria (1915–1981)
 * Pierre de Villiers Pienaar, pioneering role in speech language therapy and lexicography in South Africa (1904–1978)
 * Calie Pistorius, academic and Principal of the University of Pretoria (born 1958)
 * Benedict Wallet Vilakazi, author, educator, and first black South African to receive a Ph.D. (1906-1947)
 * David Webster, anthropologist (1945–1989)

Medical and veterinary

 * Abraham Manie Adelstein, UK Chief Medical Statistician (1916–1992)
 * Christiaan Barnard, pioneering heart surgeon (1922–2001)
 * Wouter Basson, medical scientist (born 1950)
 * John Borthwick (veterinary surgeon), veterinary surgeon in the Cape Colony (1867–1936)
 * Anna Coutsoudis (born 1952), public health scientist
 * Patrick Soon-Shiong, surgeon, founder Abraxis BioScience, billionaire (born 1952)
 * Arnold Theiler, veterinarian (1867–1936)
 * Max Theiler, virologist, 1951 Nobel Prize winner (1899–1972)

Scientists

 * Andrew Geddes Bain, geologist (1797–1864)
 * Peter Beighton, geneticist (born 1934)
 * Wilhelm Bleek, linguist (1827–1875)
 * Robert Broom, palaeontologist (1866–1951)
 * Sydney Brenner, biologist, 2002 Physiology or Medicine Nobel Prize winner (born 1927)
 * Phillip Clancey, ornithologist (1918–2001)
 * Allan McLeod Cormack, physicist (1924–1998)
 * Zodwa Dlamini, biochemist
 * Clement Martyn Doke, linguist (1893–1980)
 * Mulalo Doyoyo, professor and inventor (born 1970)
 * Alexander du Toit, geologist (1878–1948)
 * Robert Allen Dyer, botanist (1900–1987)
 * Wendy Foden, conservation biologist
 * J. W. B. Gunning, zoologist (1860–1913)
 * David Lewis-Williams, archaeologist (born 1934)
 * Lucy Lloyd, anthropologist (1834–1914)
 * Thebe Medupe, astrophysicist (born 1973)
 * Hans Merensky, geologist (1871–1952)
 * Austin Roberts, zoologist (1883–1948)
 * Peter Sarnak, mathematician (born 1953)
 * Ramotholo Sefako, astrophysicist (born 1971)
 * Buyisiwe Sondezi, physicist (born 1976)
 * Basil Schonland, physicist (1896–1972)
 * J.L.B. Smith, ichthyologist (1897–1968)
 * Phillip Tobias, palaeontologist (1925–2012)

Theologians
Also see: Prelates, clerics and evangelists


 * David Bosch (1929–1992)
 * John W. de Gruchy (born 1939)
 * Dion Forster (born 1972)
 * Johan Heyns (1928–1994)

Authors

 * Lady Anne Barnard, travel writer and artist (1750–1825)
 * Herman Charles Bosman, author (1905–1951)
 * André P. Brink, author (born 1935)
 * Justin Cartwright, novelist (born 1945)
 * John Maxwell Coetzee, 2003 Nobel Prize-winning author (born 1940)
 * K. Sello Duiker, novelist (1974–2005)
 * Sir Percy FitzPatrick, writer, businessman and politician (1862–1931)
 * Graeme Friedman, author and clinical psychologist
 * Damon Galgut, author (born 1963)
 * Nadine Gordimer, 1991 Nobel Prize-winning author (1923–2014)
 * C. J. Langenhoven, writer and poet (1873–1932)
 * Pule Lechesa, essayist, literary critic, and poet (born 1976)
 * Dalene Matthee, author (1938–2005)
 * Gcina Mhlope, author, storyteller, playwright, director, actor (born 1959)
 * Phaswane Mpe, novelist (1970–2004)
 * Deon Meyer, author (born 1958)
 * Alan Paton, author (1903–1988)
 * Margaret Roberts, herbalist and writer
 * Karel Schoeman, novelist and historian (born 1939)
 * Olive Schreiner, author (1855–1920)
 * Wilbur Smith, Novelist (born 1933)
 * J. R. R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of The Rings (1892–1973)
 * Etienne van Heerden, novelist (born 1956)
 * Marlene van Niekerk, novelist (born 1954)
 * Lyall Watson, writer (1939–2008)
 * David Yudelman, writer
 * Rachel Zadok, London-based South African writer (born 1972)

Editors

 * Kojo Baffoe, magazine editor (born 1972)
 * Khanyi Dhlomo, magazine editor (born 1975)
 * Laurence Gandar, Rand Daily Mail editor (1915–1998)
 * Niel Hammann, editor of magazines (born 1837)
 * John Tengo Jabavu, political activist and newspaper editor (1859–1921)
 * Aggrey Klaaste, journalist and editor (1940–2004)
 * Max du Preez, newspaper editor (born 1951)

Poets
See also: South African poets and Afrikaans language poets
 * Roy Campbell, poet (1901–1957)
 * Sheila Cussons, poet (1922–2004)
 * Jonty Driver (born 1939)
 * Jakob Daniël du Toit, poet a.k.a. Totius (1877–1953)
 * Elisabeth Eybers, poet (1915–2007)
 * Stephen Gray writer and poet (born 1941)
 * Ingrid Jonker, poet (1933–1965)
 * Antjie Krog, poet, novelist and playwright (born 1952)
 * Laurence Lerner, poet (born 1925)
 * Lucas Malan, Afrikaans academic and poet (1946-2010)
 * Chris Mann, poet
 * Eugène Nielen Marais, poet, writer, lawyer and naturalist (1871–1936)
 * Thomas Pringle, poet and journalist (1789–1834)
 * N. P. van Wyk Louw, poet (1906–1970)
 * Mongane Wally Serote poet, activist and politician (born 1944)
 * Stephen Watson, poet (1954–2011)

Journalists

 * Jani Allan, journalist and radio personality (born 1953)
 * George Claassen, journalist
 * John Charles Daly, television journalist, executive and game show host (1914–1991)
 * Arthur Goldstuck, journalist (born 1959)
 * Niel Hammann, journalist (born 1937)
 * Archibald Campbell Jordan (1906–1968)
 * Lara Logan, CBS television reporter/correspondent (born 1971)
 * John Matisonn, print and radio journalist for both South African and United States broadcasters (born 1949)
 * Sol Plaatje, journalist and political activist (1877–1932)
 * Percy Qoboza, journalist, editorial writer, and political activist (1938–1988)
 * Barry Streek, journalist, political activist, author, parliamentary media manager (1948–2006)
 * Eric Lloyd Williams, journalist and war correspondent (1915–1988)
 * Donald Woods, journalist and anti-apartheid activist (1933–2001)

Actors / Actresses

 * Anel Alexander, actress, producer (born 1979)
 * Lesley - Ann Brandt (South African born actress, notable for her role as Mazikeen in the show Lucifer, born 1981)
 * Peter Cartwright, actor (1935–2013)
 * Sharlto Copley, actor, (District 9) (born 1973)
 * Embeth Davidtz, actress (born 1965)
 * Gopala Davies, actor and director (born 1988)
 * Pallance Dladla, actor (born 1992)
 * Kim Engelbrecht, actress (born 1980)
 * Willie Esterhuizen, actor
 * Brett Goldin, actor (1977–2006)
 * Roxane Hayward, actress (born 1991)
 * Hennie Jacobs, actor (born 1981)
 * David James, actor, stage, television, and film actor (born 1972)
 * Sid James, film & television actor (1913–1976)
 * Adhir Kalyan, actor (born 1983)
 * Atandwa Kani, actor
 * John Kani, actor, entertainer and writer (born 1943)
 * Alice Krige, actress (born 1954)
 * Joe Mafela, actor, writer and singer (1942–2017)
 * Maps Maponyane, actor (born 1990)
 * Khanyi Mbau, radio & television personality and actress notable for Happiness Is a Four-letter Word (born 1985)
 * Nomzamo Mbatha, actress (born 1990)
 * Michelle Mosalakae, actress (born 1994)
 * Thuso Mbedu, actress (born 1991)
 * Sean Michael (South African actor), (born 1969)
 * Patrick Mynhardt, actor (1932–2007)
 * Jessica Nkosi, actress (born 1990)
 * Winston Ntshona, actor (1941–2018)
 * Tanit Phoenix, actress (Death Race: Inferno, Lord of War, Safe House, Femme Fatales, Mad Buddies) (born 1984)
 * Terry Pheto, actress (born 1981)
 * Sasha Pieterse, actress (born 1996)
 * Madelaine Petsch, actress (born 1994)
 * Sandra Prinsloo, South African actress (born 1947) (The Gods Must Be Crazy, Quest for Love)
 * Basil Rathbone, actor (1892–1967)
 * Ian Roberts, actor, playwright, singer
 * Angelique Rockas pioneer of multi-racial theatre in the UK
 * Buhle Samuels
 * Stelio Savante, actor (born 1970)
 * Clive Scott, actor (born 1937)
 * Antony Sher, actor, author and painter (born 1949)
 * Cliff Simon, actor (born 1962)
 * William Smith, TV teacher and presenter
 * Janet Suzman, actress (born 1939)
 * Reine Swart, actress, producer
 * Charlize Theron, actress (born 1975)
 * Pearl Thusi, actress, model, MC
 * Pieter-Dirk Uys, political satirist and entertainer (born 1945)
 * Musetta Vander, actress (born 1969)
 * Arnold Vosloo, actor (The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, 24) (born 1962)
 * Brümilda van Rensburg, actress (born 1956)

Dancers

 * Juliet Prowse, dancer (1936–1996)

Playwrights and film directors

 * Neill Blomkamp, director, District 9 (born 1979)
 * Lev David, writer and media consultant (born 1980)
 * Charles J. Fourie, playwright (born 1965)
 * Athol Fugard, playwright (born 1932)
 * Ronald Harwood, playwright and writer (born 1934)
 * Gavin Hood, film director (born 1963), wrote and directed the Academy Award-winning Tsotsi (2005)
 * Rob De Mezieres, film director and writer
 * Mbongeni Ngema, playwright, actor, choreographer and director (born 1955)
 * Michael Oblowitz film director
 * Mthuli ka Shezi, playwright and political activist (1947–1972)
 * Leon Schuster, filmmaker, comedian, actor and prankster (born 1951)
 * Jamie Uys, film director (1921–1996)

Singers, musicians and composers

 * Zain Bhikha, world-renowned singer-songwriter of the Nasheed genre
 * Michael Blake, classical composer
 * Johan Botha, opera singer (born 1965)
 * Al Bowlly, popular singer (born 1898)
 * Johnny Clegg, musician (1953-2019)
 * Mimi Coertse, opera singer (born 1932)
 * Fanie de Jager, operatic tenor (born 1949)
 * Lucky Dube, reggae singer (1964–2007)
 * Daniel Friedman (Deep Fried Man), musical comedian (born 1981)
 * Claire Johnston, singer
 * David Kramer, singer and playwright (born 1951)
 * Clare Loveday, classical composer
 * Lira (singer), singer (born 1979)
 * Winston Ngozi Mankunku, tenor sax player (1943–2009)
 * Mahlathini, mbaqanga singer (1938–1999)
 * Miriam Makeba, singer and civil rights activist (1932–2008)
 * Manfred Mann, musician (born 1940)
 * Hugh Masekela, jazz trumpeter and singer (1939–2018)
 * Gwendolyn Masin, violinist, author, pedagogue (born 1977)
 * Dave Matthews, leader of the Dave Matthews Band (born 1967)
 * Ray Phiri, jazz, fision and mbhaqanga musician (1947–2017)
 * Aquiles Priester, drummer (born 1971)
 * Koos Ras, comedian, singer, writer, composer (1928–1997)
 * Enoch Sontonga, composer of national anthem (1873–1905)
 * Joseph Shabalala, founder and director of Ladysmith Black Mambazo (born 1941)
 * Shaun Morgan, lead singer of the award-winning band Seether (born c. 1978)
 * ZP Theart, singer, ex Dragonforce (born c. 1974)
 * Hilda Tloubatla, lead singer of Mahotella Queens (born 1942)
 * Trevor Rabin, musician, composer, former member of progressive rock band Yes
 * Watkin Tudor Jones, rapper, performance artist, band member of Die Antwoord
 * Arnold van Wyk, classical composer
 * Jason van Wyk, musician, composer, producer (born 1990)
 * Yolandi Visser, rapper, performance artist, band member of Die Antwoord
 * Kevin Volans, classical composer



Models, socialites and media personalities

 * Jani Allan, radio personality, journalist (born 1953)
 * Gina Athans, model, international socialite (born 1984)
 * Riaan Cruywagen, TV news reader (born 1945)
 * Trevor Denman, horse racing announcer (born 1952)
 * Minnie Dlamini, TV presenter, TV personality, model and actress
 * Watkin Tudor Jones (Ninja) singer, rapper, actor, director (born 1974)
 * Alan Khan, radio and television personality (born 1971)
 * Caspar Lee, YouTube personality and actor (born 1994)
 * Megan McKenzie, model (born 1980)
 * Jeremy Maggs, journalist, radio host and television presenter (born 1961)
 * Jeremy Mansfield, radio and TV personality
 * Maps Maponyane, media socialite, model and actor
 * Trevor Noah, comedian, actor, radio- and television host (born 1984)
 * Debora Patta, broadcast journalist and television producer (born 1964)
 * Tanit Phoenix, Sports Illustrated model and actress (born 1984)
 * Lunga Shabalala, TV presenter, model and actor (born 1989)
 * Linda Sibiya, radio personality, radio producer, television host, television producer and broadcaster.
 * Troye Sivan, YouTube personality, actor and singer (born 1995)
 * Reeva Steenkamp. model (1983–2013)
 * Candice Swanepoel, Victoria's Secret model (born 1988)
 * Charlize Theron, actress, film producer (born 1975)
 * Yolandi Visser singer, rapper, actor.
 * Minki van der Westhuizen, model and TV presenter (born 1984)

Cartoonists

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

Painters

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

Photographers

 * Kevin Carter (1961–1994)
 * Ernest Cole (1940–1990)
 * Caroline Gibello (born 1974)
 * David Goldblatt, photographer (1930–2018)
 * Bob Gosani (1934–1972)
 * Alf Kumalo (1930–2012)
 * Peter Magubane (born 1932)
 * Jürgen Schadeberg (born 1931)
 * Austin Stevens (born 1951)

Sculptors

 * Anton van Wouw (1862–1945)

Performance Artists

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

Architects

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

Business

 * Raymond Ackerman, businessman (born 1931)
 * Barney Barnato, mining magnate (1852–1897)
 * Roelof Botha, is a venture capitalist and company director.
 * David Brink, businessman (born 1939)
 * John Fairbairn, founder of Mutual Life
 * Vanessa Gounden, South Africa's richest businesswoman (born 1961)
 * Morris Kahn, Israeli billionaire, founder and chairman of Aurec Group (born 1930)
 * Sol Kerzner, hotel magnate (born 1935)
 * Basetsana Kumalo, former Miss South Africa, presenter and businesswoman (born 1974)
 * Stan Medalie, CEO of Leonmed Investments
 * Sammy Marks, businessman (1844–1920)
 * Patrice Motsepe, businessman (born 1962)
 * Elon Musk, Internet and space launch entrepreneur (born 1971)
 * Phiwa Nkambule, Co-founder and CEO of Riovic, founder of Cybatar (born 1992)
 * Harry Oppenheimer, businessman (1908–2000)
 * William G. Pietersen, international businessman, CEO, author, professor (born 1937)
 * Charles Purdon, agricultural pioneer (1838–1926)
 * Mamphela Ramphele, political activist, academic, businesswoman and mother to the son of Steve Biko (born 1947)
 * Cyril Ramaphosa, politician and businessman (born 1952)
 * George Rex, pioneer entrepreneur of the Southern Cape (1765–1839)
 * Cecil Rhodes, businessman (1853–1902)
 * Anton Rupert, businessman and conservationist (1916–2006)
 * Johann Rupert, businessman, son of Anton Rupert (born 1950)
 * Tokyo Sexwale, politician and businessman (born 1953)
 * Mark Shuttleworth, web entrepreneur, founder of Thawte and Ubuntu Linux, space tourist (born 1973)

Legal, police and military

 * Lourens Ackermann, constitutional court judge (born 1934)
 * Ismail Ayob, lawyer (born 1942)
 * George Bizos, lawyer (born 1928)
 * Louis Botha, Boer War General, captured Winston Churchill during the Second Boer War, also one of the singnitaries of the Treaty of Vereeniging (1862–1919)
 * Arthur Chaskalson, judge (born 1931)
 * Piet Cronjé, Boer general and commander-in-chief of ZAR's military forces (1840–1911)
 * Koos de la Rey, Boer general (1847–1914)
 * Pierre de Vos, constitutional law scholar (born 1963)
 * Christiaan Rudolph de Wet, Boer general and acting President of the Orange Free State (1854–1922)
 * Johannes Christiaan de Wet, legal academic (1912–1990)
 * Bram Fischer, advocate QC and political activist (1908–1975)
 * Richard Goldstone, ex-constitutional court judge (born 1938)
 * Harold Hanson, advocate QC (1904–1973)
 * Sydney Kentridge, former advocate of the Supreme Court and Acting Justice of the Constitutional Court (born 1922)
 * Mervyn E. King, former judge of the Supreme Court of South Africa and chairman of the King Committee on Corporate Governance
 * Pius Langa, former chief justice of constitutional court (1939–2013)
 * Magnus Malan, minister of defence and chief of the South African Defence Force (1930–2011)
 * Cecil Margo, judge (1915–2000)
 * Mogoeng Mogoeng, Chief Justice of South Africa (born 1961)
 * Phetogo Molawa, first black female helicopter pilot in the South African Air Force and the South African National Defence Force
 * Sandile Ngcobo, former Chief Justice of South Africa (born 1953)
 * Bulelani Ngcuka, director of public prosecutions (born 1954)
 * Marmaduke Pattle, highest scoring Allied Air Ace of World War Two (1914–1941)
 * Albie Sachs, justice in constitutional court (born 1935)
 * Jackie Selebi, national commissioner of police (born 1950)
 * Percy Sonn, former head of the Directorate of Special Operations (1947–2007)
 * Sir Robert Clarkson Tredgold, Chief Justice of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1899–1977)
 * Percy Yutar, South Africa's first Jewish attorney-general and prosecutor of Nelson Mandela in the 1963 Rivonia Treason Trial (1911–2002)

Activists and trade unionists

 * Zackie Achmat, AIDS activist (born 1962)
 * Neil Aggett, political activist and trade unionist (c. 1953–1982)
 * Jeremy Baskin, trade unionist (born 1956)
 * Edward Bhengu, founder member of the PAC (1934–2010)
 * Steve Biko, nonviolent political activist (1946–1977)
 * Fort Calata, political activist and one of The Cradock Four (1956–1985)
 * James Calata, political activist and ANC secretary (1895–1983)
 * Walter Rubusana, first deputy president of the ANC (1856–1936)
 * Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, political activist (born 1930)
 * Pregs Govender, human rights activist, former ANC MP, anti-apartheid campaigner (born 1960)
 * Irene Grootboom, housing rights activist (c. 1969–2008)
 * Denis Goldberg, political activist (born 1933)
 * Matthew Goniwe, political activist and one of the Cradock four (1946–1985)
 * Josiah Tshangana Gumede, political activist (1867–1946)
 * Chris Hani, political activist (1942–1993)
 * Ruth Hayman, anti-apartheid campaigner (died 1981)
 * Bantu Holomisa, political activist (born 1955)
 * Helen Joseph, anti-apartheid activist (1905–1992)
 * Ahmed Kathrada, political activist (1929–2017)
 * Moses Kotane, anti-apartheid activist (1907–1978)
 * Ellen Kuzwayo, political activist (1914–2006)
 * Anton Lembede, political activist (1914–1947)
 * Moses Mabhida, anti-apartheid activist (1923–1986)
 * Winnie Madikizela-Mandela political activist and former 2nd wife to Nelson Mandela (1936–2018)
 * Zacharias Richard Mahabane, political activist (1881–1971)
 * Solomon Mahlangu, Umkhonto we Sizwe operative (1956-1979)
 * Sefako Makgatho, political activist (1861–1951)
 * Adolph Malan, fighter pilot and civil rights activist (1910–1963)
 * Jafta Jeff Masemola, political activist (1929–1990)
 * Joe Matthews, political activist and son of ZK Matthews (1929–2010)
 * Z. K. Matthews, political activist (1901–1968)
 * Epainette Mbeki, political activist, mother of Thabo Mbeki and wife to Govan Mbeki (1916–2014)
 * Govan Mbeki, political activist and father of Thabo Mbeki (1910–2001)
 * Robert McBride, anti-apartheid assassin and later police chief (born 1963)
 * A. P. Mda, co-founder of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) and Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (1916-1993)
 * Fatima Meer, scientist and political activist (1928–2010)
 * Raymond Mhlaba, political activist and the former Premier of the Eastern Cape (1920–2005)
 * Sicelo Mhlauli, political activist and one of the Cradock four (1952–1985)
 * Vuyisile Mini, unionist and Umkhonto we Sizwe activist (1920–1964)
 * Sparrow Mkhonto, political activist and one of the Cradock four (1951–1985)
 * Wilton Mkwayi, political activist (1923–2004)
 * Andrew Mlangeni, political activist (born 1925)
 * Joe Modise, political activist (1929–2001)
 * Thabo Edwin Mofutsanyana, political activist (1899–1995)
 * Ruth Mompati, political activist (1925–2015)
 * James Moroka, political activist (1891–1985)
 * Caroline Motsoaledi, political activist and wife to Elias Motsoaledi (c.–2015)
 * Elias Motsoaledi, political activist (1924–1994)
 * Oscar Mpetha, political activist (1909–1994)
 * Griffiths Mxenge, anti-apartheid activist (1935–1981)
 * Victoria Mxenge, anti-apartheid activist (1942–1985)
 * Rahima Moosa, anti-apartheid activist (1922–1993)
 * Moosa Moolla, political activist (born 1934)
 * Billy Nair, political activist (1929–2008)
 * Duma Nokwe, political activist (1927–1978)
 * Lilian Ngoyi, anti-apartheid activist (1911–1980)
 * Alfred Nzo, political activist (1925–2000)
 * Albert Nzula, political activist (1905–1934)
 * Sol Plaatje, political activist (1876–1932)
 * Maggie Resha, political activist and wife of Robert Resha (1923–2003)
 * Robert Resha, political activist (1920–1978)
 * Reggie September, activist (1923–2013)
 * Jack Simons, political activist (1907–1995)
 * Rachel Simons, communist and trade unionist and wife to Jack Simons (1914–2004)
 * Albertina Sisulu, political activist and wife of Walter Sisulu (1919–2011)
 * Walter Sisulu, political activist (1912–2003)
 * Robert Sobukwe, political activist and founder of PAC (1924–1978)
 * Veronica Sobukwe, political activist and wife to Robert Sobukwe (1927–2018)
 * Makhenkesi Stofile, political activist (1944–2016)
 * Adelaide Tambo political activist and wife to Oliver Tambo (1929–2007)
 * Oliver Tambo, political activist (1917–1993)
 * Steve Tshwete, political activist (1938–2002)
 * Khoisan X, political activist (1955–2010)
 * Alfred Xuma, political activist and ANC president (1893–1962)

Apartheid operatives

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

Colonial and Union Governors
See also: Dutch Cape governors, British Cape governors, Natal governors and Governors-General
 * George Grey, Cape governor (1812–1898)
 * Jan Willem Janssens, Cape Governor (1762–1838)
 * Benjamin d'Urban, Cape Governor (1834–1837)
 * Benjamin Pine, Natal governor (1809–1891)
 * Harry Smith, Cape governor 1847–52 (1787–1860)
 * Andries Stockenström, governor of British Kaffraria (1792–1964)
 * Simon van der Stel, first Cape governor (1639–1712)
 * Willem Adriaan van der Stel, second Cape governor (1664–1723)
 * Jan van Riebeeck, founder of Cape settlement (1619–1677)
 * Nicolaas Jacobus de Wet (1873–1960), Chief Justice of South Africa and acting Governor-General

Leaders and politicians

 * Ken Andrew, politician (born 1943)
 * Kader Asmal, an activist, politician and professor of human rights (1934–2011)
 * Sibusiso Bengu, politician (born 1934)
 * Thozamile Botha, politician (born 1948)
 * Cheryl Carolus, politician (born 1958)
 * Yusuf Dadoo, doctor and politician (1909–1983)
 * Patricia de Lille, politician (born 1951)
 * Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, politician (born 1949)
 * John Langalibalele Dube, founder and first president of ANC (1871–1946)
 * Abba Eban, Israeli diplomat and politician (1915–2002)
 * De Villiers Graaff, United Party opposition leader (1913–1999)
 * Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, journalist and politician (1845–1909)
 * Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, academic and politician (1894–1948)
 * Danny Jordaan, politician and soccer administrator (born 1951)
 * Tony Leon, DA opposition leader (born 1956)
 * Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, politician and second wife of Nelson Mandela (1936–2018)
 * Mabel Malherbe, politician, magazine founder, and writer (1879–1964)
 * Trevor Manuel, minister of finance (born 1956)
 * Lindiwe Mazibuko, current Parliamentary Leader for the opposition Democratic Alliance (born 1980)
 * Roelf Meyer, politician and businessman (born 1947)
 * Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, deputy president (born 1955)
 * Pieter Mulder, leader of the Freedom Front Plus and former deputy minister of agriculture (born 1951)
 * Gagathura (Monty) Mohambry Naicker, medical doctor and politician (1910–1978)
 * Bulelani Ngcuka, politician (born 1954)
 * Dullah Omar, politician (1934–2004)
 * Andries Pretorius, Boer leader and commandant-general (1799–1853)
 * Deneys Reitz, boer commando, deputy Prime Minister and High Commissioner to London (1882–1944)
 * Pixley ka Isaka Seme, ANC founder member (1881–1951)
 * Mbhazima Shilowa, trade unionist and premier (born 1958)
 * Ruth First-Slovo, political activist and wife to Joe Slovo (1924–1982)
 * Joe Slovo, politician (1926–1995)
 * Harry Schwarz, lawyer, politician, ambassador to United States and anti-apartheid leader (1924–2010)
 * Helen Suzman, politician (1917–2009)
 * Catherine Taylor, politician (1914–1992)
 * Frederik van Zyl Slabbert, PFP opposition leader (1940–2010)
 * Helen Zille, DA opposition leader, current Premier of the Western Cape (born 1951)
 * Jacob Zuma, former President (born 1942)

Prime Ministers and Presidents

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

Homelands leaders

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

Royalty

 * Cetshwayo kaMpande, 4th Zulu king (1826–1884)
 * Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon, 7th Zulu king (1924–1945)
 * Goodwill Zwelethini, 8th and current king of the Zulu nation (born 1948)
 * Ingwenyama Mayitjha III, 7th Ndebele king of Ndzundza-Mabhoko (1947–2005)
 * Dingane kaSenzangakhona, 2nd Zulu king and half-brother of Shaka (1795–1840)
 * Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo, 5th Zulu king (1868–1913) not officially recognized
 * Mangosuthu Buthelezi, politician and a Zulu prince (born 1928)
 * Mgolombane Sandile, Aa! Mgolombane! Xhosa king of Rharhabes (1820–1878)
 * Maxhob'ayakhawuleza Sandile, Aa! Zanesizwe! Xhosa king of Rharhabes (1956–2011)
 * Xolilizwe Mzikayise Sigcawu, Aa! Xolilizwe! Xhosa king of Gcalekas (1926–2005)
 * Zwelonke Sigcawu, Aa! Zwelonke! Xhosa king of Gcalekas (born 1968)
 * uZibhebhu kaMaphitha, Zulu prince and chief (1841–1904)
 * Masalanabo Modjadji, Balobedu's 2nd Rain Queen (died 1894)
 * Khetoane Modjadji, Balobedu's 3rd Rain Queen (1869–1959)
 * Makoma Modjadji, Balobedu's 4th Rain Queen (1905–1980)
 * Mokope Modjadji, Balobedu's 5th Rain Queen (1936–2001)
 * Makobo Modjadji, Balobedu's 6th Rain Queen (1978–2005)
 * Mpande, 3rd Zulu king and half-brother of Shaka (1798–1872)
 * Mzilikazi, king of the Matabele (c. 1790–1868)
 * Sekhukhune, king of the Marota (or Bapedi) (1814–1882)
 * Shaka, founder of the Zulu nation (1787–1828)
 * Solomon kaDinuzulu, 6th Zulu king (1891–1933) not officially recognized

Tribal leaders and prophets
See also: Gcaleka rulers, Ndwandwe people, Xhosa Chiefs, Zulus
 * Hintsa kaKhawuta, Aa! Zanzolo! amaXhosa chief of Gcalekas (1789–1835)
 * Khawuta kaGcaleka, amaXhosa chief of Gcalekas (c. 1761–1804)
 * Chief Albert Luthuli, Zulu chief and political activist (1898–1967)
 * Adam Kok, Griqua leader (1811–1875)
 * David Stuurman, Khoi chief and political activist (1773–1830)
 * Thandatha Jongilizwe Mabandla, amaBhele chief, Tyume Valley, Alice, Ciskei (born 1926)
 * Makhanda, amaXhosa prophet (died 1820)
 * Chief Mqalo, Amakhuze chief, Ciskei region (1916–2008)
 * Moshoeshoe I, Basotho chief (c. 1786–1870)
 * Ngubengcuka, prominent chief of the Thembu amaXhosa (died 1832)
 * Nongqawuse, millennialist amaXhosa prophetess (c. 1840–1898)
 * Sarili kaHintsa, amaXhosa chief (c. 1810–1892)
 * Sigananda kaSokufa, Zulu aristocrat (c. 1815–1906)
 * Hendrik Spoorbek, prophet and magician (died 1845)

Atheists

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

Prelates, clerics and evangelists



 * William Anderson, missionary (1769–1852)
 * Nicholas Bhengu, evangelist and founder of Assemblies of God (1909-1986)
 * Allan Boesak, cleric and anti-apartheid activist (born 1945)
 * Angus Buchan, evangelist (born 1947)
 * Frank Chikane, cleric and anti-apartheid activist (born 1951)
 * John William Colenso, Anglican bishop of Natal (1814–1883)
 * Ahmed Deedat (1918–2005)
 * S.J. du Toit, cleric, Afrikaans language pioneer and founder member of the Genootskap vir Regte Afrikaners (1847–1911)
 * Allan Hendrickse, cleric and MP (1927–2005)
 * Denis Hurley, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Durban (1915–2004)
 * Albert Luthuli, cleric, politician and 1960 Nobel Peace Prize winner (c. 1898–1967)
 * Thabo Makgoba, current Archbishop of Cape Town and Primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (born 1960)
 * Charlotte Maxeke, religious leader and political activist (1874–1939)
 * Ray McCauley, head of Rhema church (born 1949)
 * Robert Moffat, missionary, Bible translator and founder of Kuruman (1795–1883)
 * Andrew Murray (1828–1917)
 * Wilfrid Napier, cardinal of the Catholic Church (born 1941)
 * Beyers Naudé, cleric and anti-apartheid activist (1915–2004)
 * Albert Nolan, Catholic priest (born 1934)
 * John Philip, missionary (1775–1851)
 * Desmond Tutu, cleric and Nobel Peace Prize winner (born 1931)
 * William Cullen Wilcox, missionary (1850–1928)

Conservationists

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

Travelers, adventurers and pioneers

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

Criminals

 * Schabir Shaik, convicted fraudster
 * Moses Sithole, convicted serial rapist and murderer (born 1964)
 * Rashied Staggie, crime boss
 * Bulelani Mabhayi, serial killer
 * Nicholas Lungisa Ncama, a rapist and serial killer
 * Butana Almond Nofomela, murder
 * Thozamile Taki, serial killer
 * Andre Stander, gang member (1946–1984)
 * Gert van Rooyen, paedophile (died 1990)
 * Bulelani Vukwana, spree killer (c. 1973–2002)
 * Daisy de Melker, murderer (1886–1932)
 * William Foster, leader of the Foster Gang
 * Elias Xitavhudzi, serial killer

Other

 * Sir Herbert Baker, influential in South African architecture (1862–1946)
 * Denise Darvall, donor for the first human heart transplant (1943–1967)
 * Emily Hobhouse, British welfare campaigner for South Africans (1860–1926)
 * John Hutchinson, contributor to South African botany (1884–1972)
 * Nkosi Johnson, child who died of AIDS (1989–2001)
 * Isabel Jean Jones, consumer advocate journalist (died 2008)
 * Sandra Laing, victim of racial classification (born 1955)
 * Paul Lloyd Jr, first South African wrestler to wrestle in WWE, son of successful SA wrestling promoter Paul Lloyd (born 1981)
 * Breaker Morant, Australian Boer War soldier executed by the British Army (1864–1902)
 * Napoléon Eugène, last of Napoleons who died in Zulu war (1856–1879)
 * Hector Pieterson, poster victim of the Soweto riots (1964–1976)
 * Mrs. Ples, hominid fossil (born c. 2.6 to 2.8 million years ago)
 * Raymond Rahme, first African to reach a final table at a World Series of Poker Main Event, finishing third (born 1945)
 * Willem Ratte, soldier and criminal (born 1948)
 * Rosenkowitz sextuplets, first known set of sextuplets to survive their infancy (born 1974)
 * Adam Tas, colonial activist (1668–1722)
 * Taung Child, homonid fossil (born c. 2.5 million years ago)
 * Louis Washkansky, recipient of first human heart transplant (1913–1967)
 * Wolraad Woltemade, colonial hero figure (c. 1708–1773)