Who is the most famous in South Africa?

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.

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.

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.

11 

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: 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.

17 

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.

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.

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.

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

(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.