South AfricanRight IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet. Show Resilient, gritty, and hardworking are some of the words that describe the people of South Africa. For a country that has been plagued by political turmoil and unrest for the major part of the 20th century, her inhabitants have always managed to bounce back with even higher determination than before. Centuries ago the country’s vast reserves of gold and diamond attracted the Europeans to settle here thereby influencing not just the cultural heritage, but also the social make up. Vote For Your Favourite South African Personality Birthdate: June 28, 1971 Sun Sign: Cancer Birthplace: Pretoria, South Africa Entrepreneur, engineer and industrial designer, Elon Musk, is famous as founder of the electronic payment firm PayPal, and the SpaceX spacecraft company. He is also the CEO of Tesla Motors. Elon Musk has plans to revolutionize transportation on earth as well as to space through futuristic technology. Birthdate: August 7, 1975 Sun Sign: Leo Birthplace: Benoni, South Africa Charlize Theron is a former model and was an aspiring ballerina whose career came to a halt after a knee injury. However, an unexpected encounter brought her in the world of acting and she went on achieve tremendous success including winning an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. She is currently one of the world's highest-paid actresses. 3 Nelson Mandela ( Anti-Apartheid Activist Who Served as the First President of South Africa
from 1994 to 1999) Birthdate: July 18, 1918 Sun Sign: Cancer Birthplace: Mvezo, South Africa Died: December 5, 2013 Revered as the Father of the Nation by the South Africans, Nelson Mandela was a statesman who rose to become the country’s first black head of state. He reconciled a nation divided along racial lines and dismantled the legacy of apartheid. Birthdate: February 20, 1984 Sun Sign: Pisces Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa Trevor Noah is a writer, political commentator, comedian and television host and hosts the American satirical news programme, The Daily Show. He has also hosted several other shows, including the late-night talk show, Tonight with Trevor Noah. He is an actor too. He has written an autobiographical book, Born A Crime, and has received numerous accolades and awards, including the Emmy Award. Birthdate: February 17, 1984 Sun Sign: Aquarius Birthplace: Bela-Bela, South Africa AB de Villiers, also known as “Mr. 360” and “Superman,” has captained the South African cricket team in Tests, ODIs, and T20s. Named the ICC ODI Player of the Year thrice, the Wisden "cricketer of the decade" is a devout Christian, has written an autobiography, and released a pop album. 6 Desmond Tutu (First Black African Archbishop of Cape Town & Nobel Peace Prize Winner) Birthdate: October 7, 1931 Sun Sign: Libra Birthplace: Klerksdorp, South Africa Died: December 26, 2021 Desmond Tutu is known for his anti-Apartheid activism in South Africa. The first black Archbishop of Cape Town, he has also been the Bishop of Johannesburg. His efforts to eradicate AIDS, poverty, anti-LGBT sentiments, and human rights violations earned him the Nobel Peace Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Birthdate: October 20, 1988 Sun Sign: Libra Birthplace: Mooi River, South Africa Candice Swanepoel is a South African model known for her association with Victoria's Secret. In 2016, Swanepoel was ranked eighth among the top-earning models, according to Forbes. Also known for her charity work, Swanepoel works closely with mothers2mothers, a nonprofit organization that aims at averting mother-to-child transmission of HIV by providing support and education for pregnant women living with HIV. Birthdate: October 23, 1999 Sun Sign: Libra Birthplace: South Africa A social media personality with a big fan following, Belle Delphine is known for her glamour and cosplay modelling on Instagram. She also has a YouTube channel, a patron page and TikTok account. However, her videos and photographs, because of their suggestive nature, have attracted criticism and controversies too. 9 Oscar Pistorius (South African Former Professional Sprinter and Convicted Murderer) Birthdate: November 22, 1986 Sun Sign: Sagittarius Birthplace: Sandton, South Africa From being an infant whose both legs were amputated below knee, Oscar Pistorius went on to become a top athlete with wins in Paralympic Games and other sporting events. The South African sprinter also became the first amputee runner to compete at the Olympics Games. However, later, he was convicted for the murder of his girlfriend and is currently imprisoned. 10 Caster Semenya (South African Middle-Distance Runner and Two-Time Olympic Gold
Medalist) Birthdate: January 7, 1991 Sun Sign: Capricorn Birthplace: Pietersburg, South Africa Two-time Olympic gold medalist middle-distance runner Caster Semenya in an intersex woman, with high testosterone levels. The two-time Olympic gold medalist was asked to take medication to decrease her testosterone levels, to participate in the 2021 Olympics women’s events, and filed a case in the European Court of Human Rights. Birthdate: December 1, 1984 Sun Sign: Sagittarius Birthplace: Port Alfred, Eastern Cape South African rapper Anri du Toit, better known as Yolandi Visser, performs as part of the rap-rave group Die Antwoord, which has released hits such as Enter the Ninja. She has also starred in films such as Chappie. She is known for her signature blonde hair and outrageous fashion sense. Birthdate: November 17, 1952 Sun Sign: Scorpio Birthplace: Soweto Cyril Ramaphosa is a politician and the current president of South Africa. Also the president of South Africa's popular political party African National Congress (ANC), Ramaphosa played a key role during the nation's transition to democracy during which he served as ANC's chief negotiator. He also played a crucial role in ending apartheid and was considered Nelson Mandela's political heir. 13 Kimbal Musk (The Founder of
'The Kitchen Restaurant Group' and Co-Founder of 'Big Green' a 501 non profit organization) Birthdate: September 20, 1972 Sun Sign: Virgo Birthplace: Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa Kimbal Musk, the younger brother of business tycoon and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, owns the community restaurant chain known as The Kitchen Restaurant Group. He also co-founded the non-profit Big Green, which builds outdoor classrooms, and Square Roots, which specializes in urban farming. He is also a prime Tesla shareholder. Birthdate: 1787 AD Birthplace: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Died: September 22, 1828 Widely regarded as one of the most influential and important monarchs of the Zulu Kingdom, Shaka reigned as the king of the Zulu Kingdom from 1816 to 1828. Through a series of influential and wide-reaching reforms, Shaka was able to re-organize the Zulu military into a formidable force. His life and work inspired the 1986 South African TV series, Shaka Zulu. Birthdate: August 11, 1965 Sun Sign: Leo Birthplace: Lafayette, Indiana, United States Embeth Davidtz is a South-African American actress known for playing important roles in popular movies, such as Schindler's List and Fracture. She also serves as an inspiration to those fighting against cancer as she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, for which she had to undergo a mastectomy. 16 Tosca Musk (Producer, Director and Co-Founder of the Streaming Service ‘Passionflix’) Birthdate: July 20, 1974 Sun Sign: Cancer Birthplace: South Africa South African filmmaker, Tosca Musk, has produced and directed several TV programs, films, and web series. Beginning her career in the early 2000s, she teamed up with Jeff Macpherson to produce the web series, Tiki Bar TV. Her movie, Simple Things, received the California Independent Film Festival Slate Award. She is also the founder of the streaming service Passionflix. Birthdate: November 1, 1935 Sun Sign: Scorpio Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa South African former golfer Gary Player became the only non-American to win the career Grand Slam, at 29. Named to the World Golf Hall of Fame, he has earned more than 160 professional tournaments. He has also written golf books, designed golf courses, and launched The Player Foundation. 18 Steve Biko (South African Anti-Apartheid Activist.) Birthdate: December 18, 1946 Sun Sign: Sagittarius Birthplace: Tarkastad, South Africa Died: September 12, 1977 Civil rights activist Steve Biko, or the Father of Black Consciousness, is remembered for his work against apartheid in South Africa. He founded the Black Consciousness Movement while still a medical school student. He was banned by the pro-apartheid regime in 1973. He was beaten to death in custody. 19 Dave Matthews (Lead Vocalist, Songwriter and Guitarist of the 'Dave Matthews
Band') Birthdate: January 9, 1967 Sun Sign: Capricorn Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa South African-born American singer Dave Matthews gained fame as the lead singer and guitarist of the rock band Dave Matthews Band. Known for hits such as So Much to Say, Some Devil, and Gravedigger, he has won two Grammys, one with the band and the other as a solo artist. Birthdate: June 28, 1995 Sun Sign: Cancer Birthplace: Sedgefield, South Africa South African model Demi-Leigh Tebow was named Miss South Africa 2017. She then won the Miss Universe 2017 pageant, thus becoming the second South African to win the pageant. A month after becoming Miss South Africa, Tebow was carjacked at Hyde Park but managed to escape using her self-defense skills. Birthdate: September 26, 1936 Sun Sign: Libra Birthplace: Bizana, Eastern Cape Died: April 2, 2018 Winnie Madikizela-Mandela had first met legendary anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela at a bus stop when she was barely 22. They ended up getting married the following year. Winnie’s journey was marred by bans and harassment by the South African government, but the determined social worker revolutionized South African politics. Birthdate: November 27, 1973 Sun Sign: Sagittarius Birthplace: Pretoria Sharlto Copley is a South African actor best known for playing important roles in science fiction films, such as District 9, Elysium, Europa Report, Chappie, and Hardcore Henry. His portrayal of Wikus van der Merwe in District 9 earned him several accolades including a couple of IGN Movie Awards.
Birthdate: 1787 AD Birthplace: Gamtoos River, Kouga Local Municipality, South Africa Died: 1815 AD Sara Baartman, a popular subject of feminist criticism, was a South African Khoikhoi woman who was made a freak-show attraction, as the Hottentot Venus, in the 19th century, due to her large buttocks. She was a victim of the European men’s obsession with “exotic” Black women, whom they objectified. Birthdate: September 13, 1960 Sun Sign: Virgo Birthplace: Johannesburg Died: July 27, 1994 Kevin Carter was a South African photojournalist whose photograph titled the vulture and the little girl, which depicted the 1993 famine in Sudan, earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography in 1994. Carter committed suicide in 1994 after suffering from depression. A book titled The Bang Bang Club, which was later made into a film, depicts his story. 25 Reeva Steenkamp (South African Model Who was
the First Face of 'Avon' Cosmetics in South Africa) Birthdate: August 19, 1983 Sun Sign: Leo Birthplace: Cape Town, South Africa Died: February 14, 2013 Reeva Steenkamp was a British-South African model and TV personality. She had a successful career as a model before she was shot dead, at the age of 29, by Paralympic champion, Oscar Pistorius. Her death became international news and she was posthumously named SA Persons of the year along with Anene Booysen by the Daily Maverick in 2013. 26 Arnold Vosloo (Famous for His Roles as 'Imhotep' in the Movies: 'Mummy' and 'The Mummy Returns') Birthdate: June 16, 1962 Sun Sign: Gemini Birthplace: Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa Born to stage-actor parents in South Africa, Arnold Vosloo is best known as Imhotep from The Mummy franchise. He is also often mistaken for Billy Zane from Titanic for his uncanny resemblance to the actor. The Dalro Award-winning actor has also appeared in series such as 24 and Bosch. Birthdate: March 31, 1983 Sun Sign: Aries Birthplace: Durban, South Africa One of the best ODI bastmen in the world, South African cricketer Hashim Amla has made many records, from being the fastest to reach 20 ODI centuries to being the fourth player to score centuries against all Test-playing nations. He was also the Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2013. Birthdate: January 25, 1978 Sun Sign: Aquarius Birthplace: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Charlene, Princess of Monaco, was once an Olympic swimmer and represented South Africa at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. She met her husband, Prince Albert, at a swimming competition. She now owns the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and works for causes related to AIDS, sports, and underprivileged children. Birthdate: May 25, 1995 Sun Sign: Gemini Birthplace: Johannesburg, Gauteng The first six-time CSA award winner, South African cricketer Kagiso Rabada also became the eighth Proteas bowler to take 200 Test wickets, beating the likes of Allan Donald. He has, however, often been seen breaking ICC rules on the field and was also in trouble once for shouldering Steven Smith. 30 Lara Logan (South African Television and Radio Journalist and War Correspondent) Birthdate: March 29, 1971 Sun Sign: Aries Birthplace: Durban, South Africa Lara Logan is a South African radio and television journalist. She has also worked as a war correspondent; in 2001, she interviewed General Babajan after successfully infiltrating the American-British-backed Northern Alliance at the Bagram Air Base. Over the years Lara Logan has worked for popular news channels like CBS News and Fox Nation. Birthdate: October 16, 1975 Sun Sign: Libra Birthplace: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa One of the best all-rounders the world has ever seen, South African cricketer Jacques Kallis was known for his signature cover drive throughout his career. He remains the only cricketer to score over 10,000 runs and take more than 250 wickets in both ODI and Test cricket. Birthdate: October 17, 1969 Sun Sign: Libra Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa Ernie Els is a South African golfer renowned for his fluid golf swing and imposing physical stature, which has earned him the nickname, The Big Easy. A former World No. 1, Els has four major championships under his belt. Ernie Els is only one of six golfers to twice win the Open Championship as well as the U.S. Open. Birthdate: June 28, 1954 Sun Sign: Cancer Birthplace: Upington South African actor Alice Krige is best known for her roles in Chariots of Fire and Star Trek: First Contact. She played a dual role in Ghost Story and has been seen in a major role in the Netflix series The OA. She has also produced the film Jail Caesar. Birthdate: November 8, 1922 Sun Sign: Scorpio Birthplace: Beaufort West, South Africa Died: September 2, 2001 Born to a preacher father of modest means, Christiaan Barnard completed his medical school on scholarships. In December 1967, he revolutionized medical science by performing the first human heart transplant by transplanting 25-year-old accident victim Denise Darvall’s heart into 53-year-old chronic heart patient grocer Louis Washkansky. Birthdate: June 27, 1983 Sun Sign: Cancer Birthplace: Phalaborwa The son of a mine worker, South African fast bowler Dale Steyn is known for his mercurial on-field persona and for his swing and speed. He has many accolades to his credit, such as the Wisden Cricketer of the Year. He also topped the ICC Test rankings for 263 weeks. Birthdate: August 30, 1942 Sun Sign: Virgo Birthplace: New Brighton, Eastern Cape John Kani is a South African actor, playwright, director, and author. He is best known for playing T'Chaka in American superhero films, such as Black Panther and Captain America: Civil War. One of the few South African actors to achieve international recognition, John Kani was included in the Top 100 Great South Africans list, which was published in 2004. Birthdate: September 26, 1974 Sun Sign: Libra Birthplace: Johannesburg Watkin Tudor Jones, better known as Ninja, is a South African rapper, songwriter, record producer, and director. He is a member of the rap-rave group Die Antwoord. He has been active in the hip hop scene since he was 13 and has played with numerous bands in his career. He is also an occasional actor. Birthdate: March 4, 1932 Sun Sign: Pisces Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa Died: November 10, 2008 Miriam Makeba was a South African singer, actress, songwriter, civil rights activist, and United Nations goodwill ambassador. One of the first African musicians to make an impact on the international stage, Makeba is credited with popularizing Afropop genres. She also advocated against apartheid through music and played a major role in the civil rights movement. Birthdate: April 12, 1942 Sun Sign: Aries Birthplace: Nkandla, South Africaa Jacob Zuma is a South African politician and fourth president of South Africa. During his presidency, which lasted from 2009 to 2018, Zuma was accused of racketeering and corruption which ultimately led to his resignation. Apart from being a politician, Zuma also runs the Jacob Zuma Foundation, which aims at building houses for the poor and sending children to school. Birthdate: March 18, 1936 Sun Sign: Pisces Birthplace: Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa Died: November 11, 2021 F. W. de Klerk served as the State President of South Africa from 1989 to 1994 and as the Deputy President from 1994 to 1996. He was also the National Party leader from 1989 to 1997. His government helped crush the apartheid system and established universal suffrage. 41 Lucky Dube (One of the Greatest Reggae Musicians of All Time) Birthdate: August 3, 1964 Sun Sign: Leo Birthplace: Ermelo, South Africa Died: October 18, 2007 Named Lucky by his mother, following his birth after many unsuccessful pregnancies, Lucky Dube grew up to become one of the most influential South African reggae stars ever. His desert reggae made him hugely popular among the Australian aboriginal community, too. The Rastafarian supporter was later killed by carjackers. Birthdate: May 18, 1986 Sun Sign: Taurus Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa Kevin Anderson is a South African tennis player who became the fifth-ranked player in the world in 2018. He is the first South African player to be ranked in the top five since 1985 when Kevin Curren was ranked fifth in the world. Anderson has reached two Grand Slam finals; US Open (2017) and Wimbledon (2018). 43 Neill Blomkamp (Director Known for the Science Fiction Films ‘District 9’, ‘Elysium’ and ‘Chappie') Birthdate: September 17, 1979 Sun Sign: Virgo Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa Born in South Africa, Neill Blomkamp later moved to Canada. He began his career as a 3-D and special effects artist and later turned to direction. He is known for his documentary-style filmmaking that uses the cinéma vérité technique. Two of his best-known sci-fi films are District 9 and Elysium. Birthdate: May 8, 1913 Sun Sign: Taurus Birthplace: Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa Died: April 26, 1976 Sid James was an actor best remembered for playing multiple characters in the popular Carry On series. James has been the subject of many tribute shows including BBC's 2013 show The Many Faces of Sid James. In 1998, actor Geoffrey Hutchings played Sid James in a play titled Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick which was premiered at the National Theatre. Birthdate: July 13, 1984 Sun Sign: Cancer Birthplace: Pretoria Faf du Plessis is a South African cricketer who captained the national team in the ODI format from 2013 to 2019. He has also captained the national team in the other two formats of the game. He became the first South African player to score centuries in ODI, T20, and Test cricket after he scored his first T20I century in 2015. Birthdate: September 2, 1941 Sun Sign: Virgo Birthplace: South Africa Died: December 30, 2003 David Bale was an English entrepreneur and animal rights activist. He worked closely with The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, which aims at protecting endangered mountain gorillas, and served as one of its board members. Apart from his work as an activist for animal rights and environmental causes, David Bale is also known as the father of actor Christian Bale. 47 Juliet Prowse (Film, Stage and Television Actress Who Had a
Four-Decade Long Career) Birthdate: September 25, 1936 Sun Sign: Libra Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Died: September 14, 1996 Juliet Prowse was an actress and dancer whose stage, film, and TV career spanned 40 years. She gained prominence during the 1960s by appearing in films like Can-Can and G.I. Blues, which accentuated her dancing skills and her attractive legs. Towards the end of her career, Juliet Prowse hosted PBS' Championship Ballroom Dance Competition. 48 Hansie Cronje (South African International Cricketer Who was Banned from Cricket for His Role in Match-Fixing Scandal) Birthdate: September 25, 1969 Sun Sign: Libra Birthplace: Bloemfontein, South Africa Died: June 1, 2002 Hansie Cronje was a South African international cricketer. He captained the South African national cricket team in the 1990s. In 2000, he was implicated in a cricket match-fixing scandal and banned from the sport for life. He died in a plane crash in 2002. It was rumored that he was murdered on the orders of a cricket betting syndicate. 49 Jan Smuts (Former 2nd Prime Minister of South Africa) Birthdate: May 24, 1870 Sun Sign: Gemini Birthplace: Riebeeck West, South Africa Died: September 11, 1950 Jan Smuts was a South African military leader, statesman, and philosopher. He played a key role in the formation of the Union of South Africa and helped shape its constitution. From 1919 to 1924 and again from 1939 to 1948, he served as the Union of South Africa's prime minister. He played a major role in establishing the United Nations. Birthdate: June 18, 1942 Sun Sign: Gemini Birthplace: Transkei Thabo Mbeki is a South African politician who is currently serving as the chancellor of the University of South Africa. From 1999 to 2008, he served as the president of South Africa. During his tenure as the president, the South African economy grew, creating employment opportunities. Over the years, he has received several awards, including the prestigious Good Governance Award. Today South Africa boasts off a multiethnic population and a staggering 11 official languages! Compared to several other countries, South Africa is a young country, having become a Republic only in 1961. However, in spite of all the difficulties, South Africans have contributed immensely to the development of the world in the fields of literature, philosophy, science and fine arts. Cardiac surgeon Christiaan Barnard performed the world’s first successful human-to-human heart transplant while the nation’s first black president Nelson Mandela gave hopes of a better future to not just the citizens of his country, but to the whole world. The nation has also given the world modern literary geniuses in the form of Nadine Gordimer and John Maxwell Coetzee. Read on to discover more about famous South Africans. Who is the most famous celebrity in South Africa?Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela is one of the most famous people in Africa. He is the nation's father and the first black head of state in South Africa.
Who is the most popular celebrity in Africa?Senegalese singer Akon leads the entertainer category, while Egyptian soccer star Mohamed Salah is the most followed African footballer on key social media platforms, according to the African Social Media Power Report.
Who is the most followed South African on Instagram?Note: We used the Meltwater Social Influencer Hub to extract the following Instagram stats and get the final list of the best South African Instagram influencers.. 1 | Zozibini Tunzi. ... . 2 | Cindy Mahlangu. ... . 3 | Nomzamo Mbatha. ... . 4 | Refiloe Phoolo. ... . 5 | Ama Qamata. ... . 6 | AB De Villiers. ... . 7 | Connie Ferguson. ... . 8 | Nomvelo Makhanya.. Who is the most followed person on Instagram in South Africa 2022?Top Instagram Influencers. |