List of South Africans

This is a list of notable South Africans with Wikipedia articles.

Academics

Academics

See also: Chancellors and vice-chancellors, and ,
*Estian Calitz, academic (1949 - )
*Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, academic and politician (1894 - 1948)
*Tshilidzi Marwala, academic and businessman
*Njabulo Ndebele, Principal of the University of Cape Town
*Calie Pistorius, academic and Principal of the University of Pretoria
*David Webster, anthropologist (1945 – 1989)

Medical and veterinary

See also:
*Abraham Manie Adelstein, UK Chief Medical Statistician (1916 - 1992)
*Christiaan Barnard, pioneering heart surgeon (1922 - 2001)
*Wouter Basson, apartheid medical scientist (1950 - )
*Patrick Soon-Shiong, surgeon, founder Abraxis BioScience, billionaire (1952 - )
*Arnold Theiler, veterinarian (1867 - 1936)
*Max Theiler, virologist, 1951 Nobel Prize winner (1899 - 1972)

cientists

See also:
*Andrew Geddes Bain, geologist (1797 - 1864)
*Wilhelm Bleek, linguist (1827 - 1875)
*Robert Broom, palaeontologist (1866 - 1951)
*Peter Beighton, geneticist (1934 - )
*Sydney Brenner, biologist (1927 - )
*Phillip Clancey, ornithologist (1918 - 2001)
*Allan McLeod Cormack, physicist (1924 - 1998)
*Clement Martyn Doke, linguist (1893 - 1980)
*Alexander du Toit, geologist (1878 - 1948)
*J.W.B. Gunning, zoologist (1860 - 1913)
*Thebe Medupe, astrophysicist
*Lucy Lloyd, anthropologist (1834 - 1914)
*Austin Roberts, zoologist (1883 - 1948)
*Basil Schonland, physicist (1896 - 1972)
*J.L.B. Smith, ichthyologist (1897 - 1968)
*Phillip Tobias, palaeontologist (1925 - )

Theologians

Also see: Prelates, clerics and evangelists
*David Bosch (1929 - 1992)
*Ferdinand Deist (1944 - 1997)
*Dion Forster, (1972 - )
*Johan Heyns, (1928 - 1994)
*Andrew Murray (1828 - 1917)
*J. Wentzel van Huyssteen

Writers

See also: South African writers

Authors

*Lady Anne Barnard, travel writer and artist (1750 - 1825)
*Herman Charles Bosman, author (1905 - 1951)
*John Michael Coetzee, 2003 Nobel Prize-winning author (1940 - )
*K. Sello Duiker, novelist (1974 - 2005)
*Percy Fitzpatrick, writer, businessman and politician (1862 - 1931)
*Damon Galgut, author (1963 - )
*Nadine Gordimer, 1991 Nobel Prize-winning author (1923 - )
*C. J. Langenhoven, writer and poet (1873 - 1932)
*David Robert Lewis, writer, editor and playwright (1968-)
*Dalene Matthee, author (1938 - 2005)
*Gcina Mhlope, author, storyteller, playwright, director, actor (1959 - )
*Phaswane Mpe, novelist (1970 - 2004)
*Alan Paton, author (1903 - 1988)
*Karel Schoeman, novelist and historian (1939 - )
*Olive Schreiner, author (1855 - 1920)
*J. R. R. Tolkien, author (1892 - 1973)
*Etienne van Heerden, novelist (1956 - )
*Marlene van Niekerk, novelist (1954 - )
*Lyall Watson, writer (1939 - 2008)
*Rachel Zadok, London-based South African writer (1972- )

Editors

*John Tengo Jabavu, political activist and newspaper editor (1859 - 1921)
*Aggrey Klaaste, journalist and editor (1940 - 2004)
*Max du Preez, newspaper editor

Poets

See also: South African poets and Afrikaans language poets
*Roy Campbell, poet (1901 - 1957)
*Sheila Cussons, poet (1922 - 2004)
*Jakob Daniël du Toit, poet aka Totius (1877 - 1953)
*Elisabeth Eybers, poet (1915 - 2007)
*Ingrid Jonker, poet (1933 - 1965)
*Antjie Krog, poet, novelist and playwright (1952 - )
*Laurence Lerner, poet (1925 - )
*Thomas Pringle, poet and journalist (1789 - 1834)
*N. P. van Wyk Louw, poet (1906 - 1970)
*Eugène Nielen Marais, poet, writer, lawyer and naturalist (1871 - 1936)

Journalists

*Jani Allan, journalist and radio personality (1953- )
*Arthur Goldstuck, journalist (1959 - )
*Lara Logan, CBS television reporter/correspondent (1971 - )
*Sol Plaatje, journalist and political activist (1877 - 1932)
*Eric Lloyd Williams, journalist and war correspondent (1915 - 1988)
*Donald Woods, journalist and anti-apartheid activist (1933 - 2001)

Artists

See also: South African artists

Performing artists

Actors/Actresses

*Peter Cartwright, actor (1935 - )
*Embeth Davidtz, actress (1965 - )
*Sid James, film & television actor (1913-1976)
*John Kani, actor, entertainer and writer (1943 - )
*Alice Krige, actress (1954 - )
*Patrick Mynhardt, actor (1932 - 2007)
*Basil Rathbone, actor, famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes (1892-1967)
*Antony Sher, actor, author and painter (1949 - )
*Cliff Simon, actor (1962 - )
*William Smith, TV teacher and presenter
*Janet Suzman, actress (1939 - )
*Charlize Theron, actress (1975 - )
*Pieter Dirk Uys, political satirist and entertainer (1945 - )
*Musetta Vander, actress (1969 - )
*Arnold Vosloo, actor (The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, 24) (1962 - )

Playwrights and film directors

*Lev David, writer and media consultant (1980 - )
*Athol Fugard, playwright (1932 - )
*Ronald Harwood, playwright and writer (1934 - )
*Mbongeni Ngema, playwright, actor, choreographer and director
*Mthuli ka Shezi, playwright and political activist (1947 - 1972)
*Leon Schuster, filmmaker, comedian, actor and prankster
*Jamie Uys, film director (1921 - 1996)

ingers, musicians and composers

See also: South African musicians and South African composers
*Johan Botha, opera singer (1965 - )
*Johnny Clegg, musician (1953 - )
*Lucky Dube, reggae singer
*Claire Johnston, singer
*David Kramer, singer and playwright (1951 - )
*Aquiles Priester, drummer
*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 (1941 - )

TV and Radio personalities

*Jani Allan, radio personality, journalist (1953- )
*Riaan Cruywagen, TV news reader (1945 - )
*Michael de Morgan, TV presenter
*Trevor Denman, horse racing announcer
*Alan Khan, radio personality (1971 - )
*Felicia Mabuza-Suttle, talk show host, public speaker and businesswoman
*Jeremy Mansfield, radio and TV personality

Visual Artists

Cartoonists

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

Ceramists and Collage Artists

Painters

See also:
*Thomas Baines, colonial painter and explorer (1820 – 1875)
*Annette du Plessis, visual artist (1955 - )
*Garth Erasmus, visual artist (1956 - )
*Clinton Fein, artist, activist, photographer (1964 - )
*C. G. Finch-Davies, painter and ornithologist (1875 - 1920)
*Maggie Laubser, painter (1886 - 1973)
*Neville Lewis, artist (1895 - 1972)
*Rexon Mathebula, artist (1926 - )
*Brett Murray, artist (1961 - )
*Hugo Naudé, painter (1868 - 1941)
*George Pemba, visual artist (1912 - 2001)
*Jacobus Hendrik Pierneef, artist (1886 - 1957)
*Gerard Sekoto, artist and musician (1913 - 1993)
*Irma Stern, painter (1894 - 1966)
*Vladimir Tretchikoff, painter (1913 - 2006)
*William Kentridge, painter (1955 - )

Photographers

*Lien Botha (1961 - )
*Kevin Carter, (1961 – 1994)
*Ernest Cole (1940 - 1990)
*David Goldblatt, photographer (1930 - )
*Bob Gosani (1934 - 1972)
*Alf Khumalo (1930 - )
*Peter Magubane (1932 - )
*Jürgen Schadeberg (1931 - )
*Austin Stevens (1951 - )

culptors

*Anton van Wouw (1862 - 1945)
*Edoardo Villa (1915 - )

Business

See also:
*Raymond Ackerman, businessman (1931 - )
*Barney Barnato, mining magnate (1852 - 1897)
*David Brink, businessman (1939 - )
*John Fairbairn, founder of Mutual Life
*Sol Kerzner, hotel magnate (1935 - )
*Basetsana Kumalo, former Miss South Africa, presenter and businesswoman
*Sammy Marks, businessman (1844 - 1920)
*Patrice Motsepe, businessman (1962 - )
*Elon Musk, Internet and space launch entrepreneur (1971 - )
*Harry Oppenheimer, businessman (1908 - 2000)
*Charles Purdon, agricultural pioneer (1838 - 1926)
*Mamphela Ramphele, political activist, academic, businesswoman and mother to the son of Steve Biko (1947 - )
*Cyril Ramaphosa, politician and businessman (1952 - )
*Cecil Rhodes, businessman (1853 - 1902)
*Anton Rupert, businessman (1916 - 2006)
*Johann Rupert, businessman, son of Anton Rupert (1950 - )
*Tokyo Sexwale, politician and businessman (1953 - )
*Mark Shuttleworth, web entrepreneur, founder of Thawte and Ubuntu Linux, astronaut (1973 - )

Legal and police

*Lourens Ackermann, constitutional court judge (1934 - )
*George Bizos, lawyer (1928 - )
*Arthur Chaskalson, judge (1931 - )
*Johannes Christiaan de Wet, legal academic (1912 - 1990)
*Harold Hanson, advocate QC (1904 - 1973)
*Bram Fischer, advocate QC and political activist (1908 - 1975)
*Richard Goldstone, ex-constitutional court judge (1938 - )
*Sydney Kentridge, former advocate of the Supreme Court and Acting Justice of the Constitutional Court (1922 - )
*Pius Langa, chief justice of constitutional court (1939 - )
*Cecil Margo, judge (1915 - 2000)
*Bulelani Ngcuka, director of public prosecutions (1954 - )
*Albie Sachs, justice in constitutional court (1935 - )
*Jackie Selebi, national commissioner of police (1950 - )
*Sir Robert Clarkson Tredgold, Chief Justice of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1899 - 1977)
*Percy Yutar, chief prosecutor (1911 -2002)

Political

Activists and trade unionists

See also:
*Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (1936 - )
*Zackie Achmat, AIDS activist (1962 - )
*Neil Aggett, political activist and trade unionist (c. 1953 - 1982)
*Jeremy Baskin, trade unionist (1956 - )
*Steve Biko, nonviolent political activist (1946 - 1977)
*Chris Hani, political activist (1942 - 1993)
*Irene Grootboom, housing rights activist (c. 1969 - 2008)
*Ruth Hayman, anti-apartheid campaigner ( - 1981)
*Ahmed Kathrada, political activist (1929 - )
*Adolph Malan, fighter pilot and civil rights activist (1910 - 1963)
*Govan Mbeki, political activist and father of Thabo Mbeki (1910 - 2001)
*Robert McBride, anti-apartheid assassin and later police chief (1963 - )
*Fatima Meer, scientist and political activist (1928 - )
*Elias Motsoaledi, political activist (1924 - 1994)
*Victoria Mxenge, anti-apartheid activist (1942 - 1985)
*Lilian Ngoyi, anti-apartheid activist (1911 - 1980)
*Rachel Simons, communist and trade unionist (1914 - 2004)
*Albertina Sisulu, political activist and wife of Walter Sisulu (1919 - )
*Walter Sisulu, political activist (1912 - 2003)
*Robert Sobukwe, political activist (1924 - 1978)
*Oliver Tambo, political activist (1917 - 1993)
*Richard Turner, academic and political activist (1941 - 1978)

Apartheid operatives

*Wouter Basson, apartheid scientist (1950 - )
*Dirk Coetzee, apartheid covert operative
*Eugene de Kock, apartheid assassin
*Clive Derby-Lewis, assassin (1936 - )
*Lothar Neethling, apartheid forensic scientist (1935 - 2005)
*Barend Strydom, convicted murderer and white supremacist activist
*Eugène Terre'Blanche, white supremacist activist (1941 - )
*Adriaan Vlok, apartheid minister (1937 - )
*Thomas Vorster, apartheid operative and Boeremag member
*Craig Williamson, apartheid spy (1949 - )

Colonial and Union Governors

See also: Cape governors, Natal governors and Governors-General
*George Grey, Cape governor (1812 – 1898)
*Jan Willem Janssens, Cape governor (1762 - 1838)
*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)

Leaders and Politicians

See also: South African politicians
*Ken Andrew, politician (1943 - )
*Kader Asmal, an activist, politician and professor of human rights (1934 -)
*Sibusiso Bengu, politician (1934 - )
*Thozamile Botha, politician (1948 - )
*Cheryl Carolus, politician (1958 - )
*Piet Cronje, boer general and commander-in-chief of ZAR's military forces (1840 - 1911)
*Yusuf Dadoo, doctor and politician (1909 - 1983)
*Patricia de Lille, politician (1951 - )
*Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, politician (1949 - )
*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 (1951 - )
*Tony Leon, DA opposition leader (1956 - )
*Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, politician and 2nd wife of Nelson Mandela (1936 - )
*Magnus Malan, minister of defence and chief of the South African Defence Force (1930 - )
*Trevor Manuel, minister of finance (1956 - )
*Roelf Meyer, politician and businessman (1947 - )
*Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, deputy president (1955 - )
*Gagathura (Monty) Mohambry Naicker, medical doctor and politician (1910 - 1978)
*Bulelani Ngcuka, politician (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 (1958 - )
*Joe Slovo, politician (1926 - 1995)
*Harry Schwarz, anti-apartheid politician, lawyer and diplomat (1924 - )
*Helen Suzman, politician (1917 - )
*Catherine Taylor, politician (1914 - 1992)
*Frederik van Zyl Slabbert, PFP opposition leader (1940 - )
*Helen Zille, DA opposition leader, mayor of Cape Town (1951 - )
*Jacob Zuma, former deputy president (1942 - )

Prime Ministers and Presidents

See also: Prime Ministers of the Cape Colony
*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 Francois Burgers, 4th President of South African Republic (1871 - 1877)
*Frederik Willem de Klerk, 9th and last State President of South Africa (1990-94) and joint Nobel Peace Prize winner (1936 - )
*Christiaan Rudolph de Wet, Boer general and acting President of the Orange Free State (1854 - 1922)
*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 and last 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 - )
*Thabo Mbeki, 2nd and current President of South Africa (1942 - )
*John X. Merriman, last prime minister of the Cape Colony (1841 - 1926)
*Jozua François 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)
*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)

Royalty

See also: Zulu kings
*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 (1948 - )
*Dabulamanzi, Zulu prince, son of Mpande
*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 (1928 - )
*uZibhebhu kaMaphitha, Zulu prince and chief (1841 - 1904)
*Khetoane Modjadji, Balobedu's 3th 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)
*Sekwati, king of the Marota (or Bapedi), father of Sekhukhune (1775 - 1861)
*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, , Zulus
*Hintsa kaKhawuta, amaXhosa chief (1789 - 1835)
*Khawuta kaGcaleka, amaXhosa chief (c. 1761 - 1804)
*Adam Kok, Griqua leader (1811 - 1875)
*Thandatha Jongilizwe Mabandla, amaBhele chief, Tyume Valley, Alice, Ciskei (1926 - )
*Makhanda, amaXhosa prophet ( - 1820)
*Chief Mqalo, Amakhuze chief, Ciskei region (1916 - )
*Maqoma, amaXhosa chief imprisoned on Robben Island ( - 1873)
*Moshoeshoe I, Basotho chief (c. 1786 - 1870)
*Ngubengcuka, prominent chief of the Thembu amaXhosa ( - 1832)
*Nongqawuse, millennialist amaXhosa prophetess (c. 1840s – 1898)
*Sarili kaHintsa, amaXhosa chief (c. 1810 - 1892)
*Sigananda kaSokufa, Zulu aristocrat (c. 1815 - 1906)

Prelates, clerics and evangelists

See also: Anglican bishops of Grahamstown
*William Anderson, missionary (1769 - 1852)
*Angus Buchan, evangelist
*Allan Boesak, cleric and anti-apartheid activist (1945 - )
*Frank Chikane, cleric and anti-apartheid activist (1951 - )
*John William Colenso, Anglican bishop of Natal (1814 - 1883)
*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)
*Albert Luthuli, cleric, politician and 1960 Nobel Peace Prize winner (c. 1898 - 1967)
*Charlotte Maxeke, religious leader and political activist (1874 - 1939)
*Ray McCauley, head of Rhema church (1949 - )
*Robert Moffat, missionary, Bible translator and founder of Kuruman (1795 - 1883)
*Beyers Naudé, cleric and anti-apartheid activist (1915 - 2004)
*Albert Nolan, Catholic priest (1934 - )
*John Philip, missionary (1775 - 1851)
*Desmond Tutu, cleric and Nobel Peace Prize winner (1931 - )

port

See also:

Athletics

See also:
*Okkert Brits, pole-vaulter (1973 - )
*Zola Budd, marathon and long-distance runner (1966 - )
*Hestrie Cloete, high jumper (1978 - )
*Bruce Fordyce, ultra-marathon runner (1955 - )
*Jacques Freitag, high jumper (1982 - )
*Llewellyn Herbert, 400m hurdles, Olympic bronze medallist (1977 - )
*Frantz Kruger, discus thrower (1975 - )
*Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, middle distance runner, Olympic silver medallist (1980 - )
*Oscar Pistorius, disabled runner (1986 - )
*Gert Potgieter, 440m hurdles, Commonwealth Games gold medallist (1937 - )
*Hezekiél Sepeng, middle distance runner, Olympic silver medallist (1974 - )
*Josia Thugwane, marathon runner, Olympic gold medallist (1971 - )
*L.J. van Zyl, 400m hurdles, Commonwealth Games gold medallist (1985 - )

Basketball

*Steve Nash, two-time NBA MVP (1974 - ) (more commonly identified as Canadian, as his family moved there in his early childhood)

Boxing

See also:
*Cassius Baloyi, featherweight boxer (1974 - )
*Mike Bernardo, boxer, kickboxer, mixed martial arts fighter (1969 - )
*Francois Botha, heavyweight boxer (1968 - )
*Gerrie Coetzee, World Boxing Association heavyweight champion (1955 - )
*Pierre Coetzer, heavyweight boxer, (1961 - )
*Kallie Knoetze, heavyweight boxer (1953 - )
*"Baby" Jakes Matlala, junior flyweight champion (1962 - )
*Brian Mitchell, WBA Super Featherweight Champion 1986 - 1991, IBF Super Featherweight Champion 1991 (1961-)
*Corrie Sanders, heavyweight boxer (1966 - )
*Mzukisi Sikali, flyweight boxer (1971 - 2005)
*Charlie Weir, light middleweight boxer (1956 - )

Cricket

See also: South African Test cricketers, South African ODI cricketers
*Shafiek Abrahams, right-arm spin bowler (1968 - )
*Paul Adams, left-arm spin bowler (1977 - )
*Adam Bacher, right-handed batsman (1973 - )
*Ali Bacher, right-handed batsman and administrator (1942 - )
*Edgar John Barlow, right-arm fast bowler and coach (1940 - 2005)
*Nicky Boje, all-rounder (1973 - )
*Tertius Bosch, right-arm fast bowler (1966 - 2000)
*Johan Botha, right-arm spin bowler (1982 - )
*Mark Boucher, wicket-keeper and right-handed batsman (1976 - )
*David Callaghan, all-rounder (1965 - )
*Jimmy Cook, right-handed batsman (1953 - )
*Hansie Cronje, Proteas captain, all-rounder (1969 - 2002)
*Daryll Cullinan, right-handed batsman (1967 - )
*Basil D'Oliveira, right-handed batsman (1931 - )
*Alan Dawson, right-arm fast medium bowler (1969 - )
*Abraham de Villiers, wicket-keeper and right-handed batsman (1984 - )
*Fanie de Villiers, right-arm fast medium bowler (1964 - )
*Matthew Dennington, cricketer (1982 - )
*Boeta Dippenaar, right-handed batsman (1977 - )
*Allan Donald, right-arm fast bowler (1966 - )
*Jean-Paul Duminy, left-handed batsman (1984 - )
*Clive Eksteen, left-arm spin bowler (1966 - )
*Steve Elworthy, right-arm fast medium bowler (1965 - )
*Herschelle Gibbs, right-handed batsman (1974 - )
*Tony Greig, right-handed batsman and commentator (1946 - )
*Andrew Hall, all-rounder (1975 - )
*Nantie Hayward, right-arm fast bowler (1977 - )
*Claude Henderson, left-arm spin bowler (1972 - )
*Omar Henry, left-arm spin bowler (1952 - )
*Andrew Hudson, right-handed opening batsman (1952 - )
*Martin van Jaarsveld, right-handed batsman (1974 - )
*Steven Jack, right-arm fast medium bowler (1970 - )
*Jacques Kallis, all-rounder (1975 - )
*Chad Keegan, cricketer (1979 - )
*Justin Kemp, all-rounder (1977 - )
*Jon Kent, cricketer (1979 - )
*Gary Kirsten, left-handed opening batsman (1967 - )
*Peter Kirsten, right-handed batsman (1955 - )
*Lance Klusener, all-rounder (1971 - )
*Garnett Kruger, right-arm fast medium bowler (1977 - )
*Adrian Kuiper, all-rounder (1959 - )
*Charl Langeveldt, right-arm fast medium bowler (1974 - )
*Gerhardus Liebenberg, right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper (1972 - )
*Allan Lamb, right-hand batsman (1954 - )
*Craig Matthews, right-arm fast medium bowler (1965 - )
*Neil McKenzie, right-handed batsman (1975 - )
*Brian McMillan, all-rounder (1963 - )
*Albie Morkel, right-handed batsman (1981 - )
*Victor Mpitsang, right-arm fast medium bowler (1980 - )
*Andre Nel, fast bowler (1977 - )
*Makhaya Ntini, fast bowler (1977 - )
*Justin Ontong, right-arm spin bowler (1980 - )
*Hugh Page, right arm fast bowler (1961 - )
*Robin Peterson, left-arm spin bowler (1979 - )
*Kevin Pietersen, right-handed batsman (1980 - )
*Graeme Pollock, left-handed batsman (1944 - )
*Shaun Pollock, Proteas captain, fast-medium bowler, nephew of Graeme (1973 - )
*Nic Pothas, right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper (1973 - )
*Ashwell Prince, left-handed batsman (1977 - )
*Meyrick Pringle, right-arm fast medium swing bowler (1966 - )
*Andrew Puttick, cricketer (1980 - )
*Jonty Rhodes, right-handed batsman (1969 - )
*Clive Rice, all-rounder (1949 - )
*David Richardson, right-handed batsman and wicketkeeper (1959 - )
*Jacques Rudolph, left-handed batsman (1981 - )
*Mark Rushmere, right-handed batsman (1965 - )
*Brett Schultz, left-arm fast bowler (1970 - )
*Graeme Smith, Proteas captain, batsman (1981 - )
*Greg Smith, cricketer (1971 - )
*Errol Stewart, right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper (1969 - )
*Dale Steyn, right-arm fast bowler (1983 - )
*Rudi Steyn, cricketer (1967 - )
*Andrew Strauss, cricketer (1977 - )
*Pieter Strydom, cricketer (1969 - )
*Pat Symcox, right-arm spin bowler (1960 - )
*Roger Telemachus, right-arm fast medium bowler (1973 - )
*David Terbrugge, right-arm fast medium bowler (1977 - )
*Kepler Wessels, Proteas captain, left-handed batsman (1957 - )
*Henry Williams, right-arm fast medium bowler (1967 - )
*Charl Willoughby, cricketer (1974 - )
*Mandy Yachad, cricketer (1960 - )
*Monde Zondeki, right-arm fast bowler (1982 - )

Golf

See also:
*Ernie Els (1969 - )
*Retief Goosen (1969 - )
*Trevor Immelman (1979 - )
*Gary Player (1936 - )
*Rory Sabbatini (1976 - )
*Sewsunker "Papwa" Sewgolum (1930 - 1978)
*David Frost (1959 - )

Motorsport

See also: and

*Jody Scheckter, Formula One world champion (1950 - )
*Gordon Murray, Grand Prix car designer (1946 - )

Rugby

See also:
*Bakkies Botha, Springbok, lock (1979 - )
*Naas Botha, Springbok, flyhalf and TV presenter (1958 - )
*Schalk Burger, Springbok, flank (1983 - )
*Kitch Christie, Springboks coach (1940 - 1998)
*Danie Craven, Springbok, scrumhalf and administrator (1910 - 1994)
*Jean de Villiers, Springbok, centre and wing (1981 - )
*Peter de Villiers, Springbok coach (1957 - )
*Morne du Plessis, Springbok, eight man (1949 - )
*Frik du Preez, Springbok, lock/flank (1935 - )
*Os du Randt, Springbok, prop (1972 - )
*Danie Gerber, Springbok, centre (1958 - )
*Bryan Habana, Springbok, wing (1983 - )
*Butch James, Springbok, flyhalf (1979-)
*Victor Matfield, Springbok, lock (1977 - )
*Percy Montgomery, Springbok, fullback (1974 - )
*Bennie Osler, Springbok, fly-half (1901 - 1962)
*Francois Pienaar, Springbok, flank (1967 - )
*Hugh Reece-Edwards, Springbok, fullback (1961-)
*John Smit, Springbok, hooker (1978 - )
*François Steyn, Springbok, flyhalf/fullback (1987 - )
*Joel Stransky, Springbok, flyhalf (1967 - )
*Gary Teichmann, Springbok, number 8 (1967 - )
*Joost van der Westhuizen, Springbok, scrum-half (1971 - )
*Jake White, Springbok coach (1963 - )
*Chester Williams, Springbok, wing (1970 - )

occer

See also:
*Shaun Bartlett, striker (1972 - )
*Doctor Khumalo, midfielder (1967 - )
*Benni McCarthy, striker (1977 - )
*Lucas Radebe, Bafana Bafana captain, defender (1969 - )
*Jomo Sono, midfielder and coach (1955 - )
*Gary Bailey, goalkeeper for England and Manchester United (1958 - )
*Quinton Fortune, midfielder and defender for Manchester United (1977 - )
*Mark Fish, defender for Bolton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic and Jomo Cosmos (1974 - )

urfing

*John Whitmore, father of South African surfing (1929 - 2001)
*Shaun Tomson, former world champ (1955 - )
*Grant Baker, winner of the Mavericks Big Wave contest in California
*Martin Potter (surfer), 1989 world champ (1965 - )

wimming

See also:
*Natalie du Toit, disabled swimmer (1984 - )
*Lyndon Ferns, Olympic gold medallist (1983 - )
*Penny Heyns, breaststroke, Olympic gold medallist (1974 - )
*Ryk Neethling, freestyle, Olympic gold medallist (1977 - )
*Roland Mark Schoeman, freestyle, Olympic gold medallist (1980 - )
*Darian Townsend, Olympic gold medallist (1984 - )
*Charlene Wittstock, backstroke swimmer (1978 - )
*Karen Muir, backstroke, youngest world record holder in any sport in 1965 at 12 years old (1952 - )

Tennis

See also:
*Amanda Coetzer (1971- )
*Neil Broad (1966- )
*Kevin Curren (1958 - )
*Cliff Drysdale, player and television commentator (1941 - )
*Wayne Ferreira (1971 - )
*Bob Hewitt (1940 - ) men's doubles champion: Wimbledon, French and US Open
*Johan Kriek (1958 - )
*Frew McMillan (1942 -) men's doubles champion: Wimbledon, French and US Open

Triathlon

*Conrad Stoltz (1973 - )
*Dan Hugo (1985 - )
*Raynard Tissink

Yachting

*Bertie Reed, springbok yachtsman (1943 - 2006)

Conservationists

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

Travelers, adventurers and pioneers

*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)
*Emil Holub, explorer (1847 - 1902)
*Nathaniel Isaacs, Natal traveler (1808 - 1872)
*Dick King, colonial pioneer (1813 - 1871)
*François Le Vaillant, 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 (1970 - )

Criminals

*Schabir Shaik, convicted fraudster
*Rashid Staggie, crime boss
*Andre Stander, gang member (1946 – 1984)
*Gert van Rooyen, pedophile ( - 1990)
*Bulelani Vukwana, spree killer ( - 2002)

Other

*Denise Darvall, donor for the first human heart transplant (1943 - 1967)
*Emily Hobhouse, welfare campaigner for South Africans (1860 - 1926)
*Nkosi Johnson, child who died of AIDS (1989 - 2001)
*Sandra Laing, victim of racial classification (1955 - )
*Breaker Morant, Boer War soldier (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, homonid fossil (born c. 2.6 to 2.8 million years ago)
*Rosenkowitz sextuplets, first known set of sextuplets to survive their infancy (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)

ee also

*List of Afrikaners
*List of people by nationality
*SABC3's Great South Africans, a television program listing the 100 greatest South Africans as voted for by viewers
*List of White Africans