List of South Africans

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

Academics

 * Shulamith Behr, art historian (1946–2023)
 * Estian Calitz, academic (born 1949)
 * Jakes Gerwel, academic and anti-apartheid activist (1946–2012)
 * Adam Habib, political scientist (born 1965)
 * Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, academic and politician (1894–1948)
 * Thamsanqa Kambule, South African Mathematician and Educator (1921–2009)
 * Tshilidzi Marwala, academic and businessman (born 1971)
 * Revil Mason, archeologist (1929–2020)
 * Shula Marks, historian (born 1938)
 * 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)
 * Michiel Daniel Overbeek, South African amateur astronomer and prolific variable star observers (1920–2001)
 * 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)
 * Milton Shain, academic and professor of Modern Jewish history at the University of Cape Town (born 1949)
 * Benedict Wallet Vilakazi, author, educator, and first black South African to receive a PhD (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)
 * Mary Malahlela, first black woman to register as a medical doctor in South Africa (1916–1981)
 * Joan Morice, first female veterinary surgeon in South Africa (1904–1944)
 * Anna Coutsoudis, public health scientist (born 1952)
 * Patrick Soon-Shiong, surgeon, founder Abraxis BioScience, billionaire (born 1952)
 * Arnold Theiler, veterinarian (1867–1936)
 * Max Theiler, virologist, 1951 Nobel Prize winner (1899–1972)
 * Lindiwe Sidali, surgeon (born 1984)

Scientists

 * Andrew Geddes Bain, geologist (1797–1864)
 * Peter Beighton, geneticist (1934–2023)
 * Wilhelm Bleek, linguist (1827–1875)
 * Robert Broom, palaeontologist (1866–1951)
 * Sydney Brenner, biologist, 2002 Physiology or Medicine Nobel Prize winner (1927–2019)
 * 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)
 * Melville Edelstein, sociologist, killed due to Soweto uprising (1919–1976)
 * Wendy Foden, conservation biologist
 * J. W. B. Gunning, zoologist (1860–1913)
 * Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Associate Scientific Director of the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) (born 1960)
 * Salim Abdool Karim, South African epidemiologist and infectious diseases specialist (born 1960)
 * 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 (1935–2015)
 * Justin Cartwright, novelist (1943–2018)
 * 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)
 * Alfred Hutchinson, South African author, teacher and activist (1924–1972)
 * C. J. Langenhoven, writer and poet (1873–1932)
 * Pule Lechesa, essayist, literary critic, and poet (born 1976)
 * Kgotso Pieter David Maphalla, the Sesotho language writer (1955–2021)
 * Dalene Matthee, author (1938–2005)
 * Gcina Mhlope, author, storyteller, playwright, director, actor (born 1959)
 * Deon Meyer, author (born 1958)
 * Phaswane Mpe, novelist (1970–2004)
 * Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, author and musician (born 1989)
 * Alan Paton, author (1903–1988)
 * Margaret Roberts, herbalist and writer (1937–2017)
 * Karel Schoeman, novelist and historian (1939–2017)
 * Olive Schreiner, author (1855–1920)
 * Mongane Wally Serote, poet and writer (born 8 May 1944)
 * Wilbur Smith, novelist (1933–2021)
 * 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 1937)
 * 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)
 * Judy Croome, poet (born 1958)
 * Sheila Cussons, poet (1922–2004)
 * Jonty Driver (1939–2023)
 * Jakob Daniël du Toit, poet a.k.a. Totius (1877–1953)
 * Elisabeth Eybers, poet (1915–2007)
 * Stephen Gray, writer and poet (1941–2020)
 * Ingrid Jonker, poet (1933–1965)
 * Antjie Krog, poet, novelist and playwright (born 1952)
 * Laurence Lerner, poet (1925–2016)
 * Lucas Malan, Afrikaans academic and poet (1946–2010)
 * Chris Mann, poet (1948–2021)
 * Eugène Nielen Marais, poet, writer, lawyer and naturalist (1871–1936)
 * Thomas Pringle, poet and journalist (1789–1834)
 * N.S. Puleng, poet and author (born 1958)
 * 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 (born 1949)
 * Robyn Curnow, CNN television reporter and anchor
 * John Charles Daly, television journalist, executive and game show host (1914–1991)
 * Arnold S de Beer, journalist and academic (1942–2021)
 * Frene Ginwala, journalist and politician (1932–2023)
 * Arthur Goldstuck, journalist (born 1959)
 * Niel Hammann, journalist (born 1937)
 * Noni Jabavu, journalit, editor and first black South African woman to publish an autobiography (1919–2008)
 * Archibald Campbell Jordan (1906–1968)
 * Lara Logan, CBS television reporter/correspondent (born 1971)
 * Peter Magubane, South African photographer (1932–2024)
 * John Matisonn, print and radio journalist for both South African and United States broadcasters (born 1949)
 * Zakes Mda, journalist (born 1948)
 * Nathaniel Ndazana Nakasa, South African journalist and short story writer (1937–1965)
 * Sam Nzima, South African photographer, who took the image of Hector Pieterson for the Soweto uprising (1934–2018)
 * Henry Nxumalo, investigative journalist under apartheid (1917–1957)
 * 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)
 * Redi Tlhabi, journalist and broadcaster (born 1978)
 * Eric Lloyd Williams, journalist and war correspondent (1915–1988)
 * Donald Woods, journalist and anti-apartheid activist (1933–2001)

Actors and 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)
 * Ayanda Borotho, actress (born 1981)
 * Ivan Botha, actor (born 1984)
 * Kai Luke Brümmer, actor (born 1993)
 * Presley Chweneyagae, actor (born 1984)
 * Tarina Patel, actor (born 1986]
 * Peter Cartwright, actor (1935–2013)
 * Baby Cele, actress (born 1972)
 * Sharlto Copley, actor, (District 9) (born 1973)
 * Katlego Danke, actress (born 1978)
 * Embeth Davidtz, actress (born 1965)
 * Gopala Davies, actor and director (born 1988)
 * Ryan de Villiers, actor (born 1992)
 * Sindi Dlathu, actress (born 1974)
 * Pallance Dladla, actor (born 1992)
 * Lillian Dube, South African actress (born 1945)
 * Vinette Ebrahim, actress (born 1957)
 * Kim Engelbrecht, actress (born 1980)
 * Willie Esterhuizen, actor
 * Connie Ferguson, actress (born 1970)
 * Shona Ferguson, actor (1972–2021)
 * Brett Goldin, actor (1977–2006)
 * Zoe Gail, actress (1920–2020)
 * Gugu Gumede, actress (born 1991)
 * Roxane Hayward, actress (born 1991)
 * Hennie Jacobs, actor (born 1981)
 * David James, actor, stage, television, and film actor (born 1972)
 * Sid James, film and television actor (1913–1976)
 * Glynis Johns, actress (1923–2024)
 * Adhir Kalyan, actor (born 1983)
 * Atandwa Kani, actor (born 1984)
 * John Kani, actor, entertainer and writer (born 1943)
 * Dawn Thandeka King, actress (born 1977)
 * Shannon Kook (born 1987)
 * Paballo Koza, actor (born 2002)
 * Alice Krige, actress (born 1954)
 * Deon Lotz, actor (born 1964)
 * Sello Maake Ka-Ncube, actor (born 1960)
 * Gail Mabalane, actress (born 1984)
 * Joe Mafela, actor, writer and singer (1942–2017)
 * Maps Maponyane, actor (born 1990)
 * Warren Masemola, actor (born 1983)
 * Khanyi Mbau, radio and television personality and actress notable for Happiness Is a Four-letter Word (born 1985)
 * Nomzamo Mbatha, actress (born 1990)
 * Michelle Mosalakae, actress (born 1994)
 * Thuso Mbedu, actress (born 1991)
 * Sean Michael (South African actor), (born 1969)
 * Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa, actress (born 1988)
 * Masoja Msiza, actor (born 1964)
 * Patrick Mynhardt, actor (1932–2007)
 * Themba Ndaba, actor (born 1965)
 * Menzi Ngubane, actor (born 1967)
 * Jessica Nkosi, actress (born 1990)
 * Kenneth Nkosi, actor (born 1973)
 * Winnie Ntshaba, actress (born 1975)
 * Winston Ntshona, actor (1941–2018)
 * Nandi Nyembe, South African actress (born 1950)
 * Tanit Phoenix, actress (Death Race: Inferno, Lord of War, Safe House, Femme Fatales, Mad Buddies) (born 1984)
 * Terry Pheto, actress (born 1981)
 * Sasha Pieterse, actress (born 1996)
 * Madelaine Petsch, actress (born 1994)
 * Sandra Prinsloo, South African actress (The Gods Must Be Crazy, Quest for Love) (born 1947)
 * Ama Qamata, actress (born 1998)
 * Basil Rathbone, actor (1892–1967)
 * Jo-anne Reyneke, actress (born 1988)
 * Ian Roberts, actor, playwright, singer (born 1952)
 * Angelique Rockas pioneer of multi-racial theatre in the UK (born 1951)
 * Buhle Samuels
 * Stelio Savante, actor (born 1970)
 * Clive Scott, actor (1937–2021)
 * Rapulana Seiphemo, actor (born 1967)
 * Cliff Severn, actor (1925–2014)
 * Raymond Severn, actor (1930–1994)
 * Antony Sher, actor, author and painter (1949–2021)
 * Cliff Simon, actor (1962–2021)
 * William Smith, TV teacher and presenter (born 1939)
 * Linda Sokhulu, actress (born 1976)
 * Shaleen Surtie-Richards, actress (1955–2021)
 * Janet Suzman, actress (born 1939)
 * Reine Swart, actress, producer
 * Charlize Theron, actress (born 1975)
 * Pearl Thusi, actress, model, MC (born 1988)
 * Siyabonga Thwala, actor (born 1969)
 * Pieter-Dirk Uys, political satirist and entertainer (born 1945)
 * Brümilda van Rensburg, actress (born 1956)
 * Musetta Vander, actress (born 1969)
 * Arnold Vosloo, actor (The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, 24) (born 1962)

Dancers

 * Juliet Prowse, dancer (1936–1996)
 * Bontle Modiselle, dancer (born 1990)

Playwrights and film directors

 * Neill Blomkamp, director, District 9 (born 1979)
 * Charles J. Fourie, playwright (born 1965)
 * Athol Fugard, playwright (born 1932)
 * Ronald Harwood, playwright and writer (1934–2020)
 * Oliver Hermanus, film director and writer (born 1983)
 * Gray Hofmeyr South African film director (born 1949)
 * Gavin Hood, film director, wrote and directed the Academy Award-winning Tsotsi (2005) (born 1963)
 * Rob De Mezieres, film director and writer
 * Mbongeni Ngema, playwright, actor, choreographer and director (born 1955)
 * Michael Oblowitz film director (born 1952)
 * Mthuli ka Shezi, playwright and political activist (1947–1972)
 * Leon Schuster, filmmaker, comedian, actor and prankster (born 1951)
 * Jamie Uys, film director (1921–1996)

Singers, musicians and composers

 * AKA (rapper), South African Kiernan Forbes (1988–2023)
 * Zain Bhikha, world-renowned singer-songwriter of the Nasheed genre
 * Michael Blake, classical composer (born 1951)
 * Johan Botha, opera singer (1965–2016)
 * Al Bowlly, popular singer (1898–1941)
 * Don Clarke, Singer-songwriter (born 1955)
 * Johnny Clegg, musician (1953–2019)
 * Mimi Coertse, opera singer (born 1932)
 * Fanie de Jager, operatic tenor (born 1949)
 * Lucky Dube, reggae singer (1964–2007)
 * Brenda Fassie, anti-apartheid Afropop singer, songwriter, dancer and activist (1964–2004)
 * Daniel Friedman ("Deep Fried Man"), musical comedian (born 1981)
 * Steve Kekana, singer and songwriter (1958–2021)
 * Jabu Khanyile, musician and lead vocalist (1957–2006)
 * Claire Johnston, singer (born 1967)
 * David Kramer, singer and playwright (born 1951)
 * Clare Loveday, classical composer (born 1967)
 * Lira (singer), singer (born 1979)
 * Sipho Mabuse, singer (born 1951)
 * Ringo Madlingozi, South African singer, songwriter, producer, and member of parliament (born 1964)
 * Arthur Mafokate, kwaito musician and producer (born 1962)
 * Winston Ngozi Mankunku, tenor sax player (1943–2009)
 * Mahlathini, mbaqanga singer (1938–1999)
 * Miriam Makeba, singer and civil rights activist (1932–2008)
 * Rebecca Malope, multi-award-winning South African gospel singer (born 1968)
 * Manfred Mann, musician (born 1940)
 * Hugh Masekela, jazz trumpeter and singer (1939–2018)
 * Gwendolyn Masin, violinist, author, pedagogue (born 1977)
 * Lebo Mathosa, popular South African kwaito singer (1977–2006)
 * Dave Matthews, leader of the Dave Matthews Band (born 1967)
 * Shaun Morgan, lead singer of the award-winning band Seether (born 1978)
 * Ray Phiri, jazz, fusion and Mbhaqanga musician (1947–2017)
 * Aquiles Priester, drummer (born 1971)
 * Rex Rabanye, jazz, fusion and soulful pop musician (1944–2010)
 * Trevor Rabin, musician, composer, former member of progressive rock band Yes (born 1954)
 * Koos Ras, comedian, singer, writer, composer (1928–1997)
 * Charles Segal (pianist), composer, arranger, Guinness World Record holder (born 1929)
 * Enoch Sontonga, composer of national anthem (1873–1905)
 * Joseph Shabalala, founder and director of Ladysmith Black Mambazo (1941–2020)
 * ZP Theart, singer, ex Dragonforce (born 1975)
 * Costa Titch, Amapiano rapper and dancer (1995–2023)
 * Hilda Tloubatla, lead singer of Mahotella Queens (born 1942)
 * Watkin Tudor Jones, rapper, performance artist, band member of Die Antwoord (born 1974)
 * Arnold van Wyk, classical composer (1916–1983)
 * Yolandi Visser, rapper, performance artist, band member of Die Antwoord (born 1984)
 * Amor Vittone, singer, performing artist and gold-disc recording artist (born 1972)
 * Kevin Volans, classical composer (born 1949)

Models, socialites and media personalities

 * Jani Allan, radio personality, journalist (born 1953)
 * Gina Athans, model, international socialite (born 1984)
 * Riaan Cruywagen, TV news reader (born 1945)
 * Lasizwe Dambuza, television personality (born 1998)
 * Belle Delphine, Social Media Personality (born 1999)
 * Trevor Denman, horse racing announcer (born 1952)
 * Minnie Dlamini, TV presenter, TV personality, model and actress (born 1990)
 * Jade Fairbrother, model, fitness bikini competitor, Playboy Playmate (born 1986)
 * Watkin Tudor Jones (Ninja) singer, rapper, actor, director (born 1974)
 * Roxy Ingram, model (born 1982)
 * Alan Khan, radio and television personality (born 1971)
 * Caspar Lee, YouTube personality and actor (born 1994)
 * Jeremy Maggs, journalist, radio host and television presenter (born 1961)
 * Myra Manganye, South African Reality Competition titleholder
 * Jeremy Mansfield, radio and TV personality
 * Maps Maponyane, media socialite, model and actor (born 1990)
 * Robert Marawa, sports journalist, television and radio personality (born 1973)
 * Megan McKenzie, model (born 1980)
 * Trevor Noah, comedian, actor, radio- and television host (born 1984)
 * Debora Patta, broadcast journalist and television producer (born 1964)
 * Tanit Phoenix, Sports Illustrated model and actress (born 1984)
 * Lunga Shabalala, TV presenter, model and actor (born 1989)
 * Linda Sibiya, radio personality, radio producer, television host, television producer and broadcaster.
 * Troye Sivan, YouTube personality, actor and singer (born 1995)
 * Reeva Steenkamp, model (1983–2013)
 * Candice Swanepoel, Victoria's Secret model (born 1988)
 * Charlize Theron, actress, film producer (born 1975)
 * Lesego Tlhabi, comedian and satirist (as Coconut Kelz) (born 1988)
 * Yolandi Visser singer, rapper, actor (born 1984)
 * Minki van der Westhuizen, model and TV presenter (born 1984)
 * Eddie Zondi, radio personality and music composer (1967–2014)

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)
 * Tamlin Blake, mixed media artist (born 1974)
 * 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 (1940–2011)
 * William Kentridge, painter (born 1955)
 * Maggie Laubser, painter (1886–1973)
 * Neville Lewis, artist (1895–1972)
 * Esther Mahlangu, painter (born 1935)
 * Ernest Mancoba, avant-garde artist (1904–2002)
 * Judith Mason, artist (1938–2016)
 * Conor Mccreedy, artist (born 1987)
 * Brett Murray, artist (born 1961)
 * Charles Ernest Peers, painter (born 1875)
 * George Pemba, visual artist (1912–2001)
 * 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 (1932–2024)
 * Jürgen Schadeberg (1931–2020)
 * 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 (1931–2023)
 * Barney Barnato, mining magnate (1852–1897)
 * Roelof Botha, venture capitalist and company director (born 1973)
 * David Brink, businessman (born 1939)
 * John Fairbairn, founder of Mutual Life (1794–1864)
 * 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 (1935–2020)
 * Basetsana Kumalo, former Miss South Africa, presenter and businesswoman (born 1974)
 * Richard Maponya, richest business man, former owner of Maponya Mall; founder and first president of the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC) (1920–2020)
 * Sammy Marks, businessman (1844–1920)
 * Nthato Motlana, prominent South African businessman, physician and anti-apartheid activist (1925–2008)
 * Bridgette Motsepe, businesswoman (born 1960)
 * Patrice Motsepe, businessman (born 1962)
 * Elon Musk, Internet and space launch entrepreneur (born 1971)
 * Nicky Newton-King, first female CEO of JSE from 2012 to 2019 (born 1966)
 * Phiwa Nkambule, Co-founder and CEO of Riovic, founder of Cybatar (born 1992)
 * 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)
 * David O. Sacks, web entrepreneur (born 1972)
 * Tokyo Sexwale, politician and businessman (born 1953)
 * Mark Shuttleworth, web entrepreneur, founder of Thawte and Ubuntu Linux, space tourist (born 1973)
 * Mlungisi Sisulu, South African business man (1948–2015)
 * Shaka Sisulu, South African social and political activist, entrepreneur and media personality.

Legal, police and military

 * Lourens Ackermann, constitutional court judge (born 1934)
 * Ismail Ayob, lawyer (born 1942)
 * Vernon Berrangé, human rights advocate (1900–1983)
 * George Bizos, lawyer (1927–2020)
 * Louis Botha, Boer War General, captured Winston Churchill during the Second Boer War, also one of the signatories of the Treaty of Vereeniging (1862–1919)
 * Annie Botha, philanthropist and civic leader, wife of Louis Botha
 * Arthur Chaskalson, judge (1931–2012)
 * Piet Cronjé, Boer general and commander-in-chief of ZAR's military forces (1840–1911)
 * Beric John Croome, chartered accountant (South Africa), Advocate of the High Court of South Africa, PhD, tax law author and pioneer in taxpayers' rights in South Africa (1960–2019)
 * Garnet de la Hunt, the Chief Scout of the Boy Scouts of South Africa, Vice-Chairman of the Africa Scout Committee, and South African World Scout Committee (1933–2014)
 * 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)
 * Johannes Geldenhuys, South African military commander (1935–2018)
 * Ian Gleeson, South African Army officer (1934–2021)
 * Richard Goldstone, ex-constitutional court judge (born 1938)
 * Harold Hanson, advocate QC (1904–1973)
 * John Hlophe,legal expect (1959)
 * Sydney Kentridge, former advocate of the Supreme Court and Acting Justice of the Constitutional Court (born 1922)
 * Mervyn E. King, former judge of the Supreme Court of South Africa and chairman of the King Committee on Corporate Governance (born 1937)
 * Joel Joffe, Baron Joffe, CBE lawyer and Labour peer in the House of Lords (1932–2017)
 * 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)
 * Richard Mdluli, head of Police Crime Intelligence (born 1958)
 * Dunstan Mlambo, Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court of South Africa (born 1960)
 * Mogoeng Mogoeng, Chief Justice of South Africa (born 1961)
 * Yvonne Mokgoro, former justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa (1950–2024)
 * 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)
 * Riah Phiyega, national police commissioner
 * Vejaynand Ramlakan, South African military commander (1957–2020)
 * Barry Roux, defence advocate who has represented Oscar Pistorius, Dave King and Lothar Neethling (born 1955)
 * Albie Sachs, justice in constitutional court (born 1935)
 * Harry Heinz Schwarz, lawyer (1924–2010)
 * Jackie Selebi, national commissioner of police (1950–2015)
 * Thembile Skweyiya, South African Constitutional Court judge (1939–2015)
 * 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


David Sipunzi, South African trade unionis (1960–2020)
 * Elizabeth 'Nanna' Abrahams, political activist and trade unionist (1925–2008)
 * Zackie Achmat, AIDS activist (born 1962)
 * Neil Aggett, political activist and trade unionist (1953–1982)
 * Neville Alexander, revolutionary and proponent of a multilingual South Africa (1936–2012)
 * Abdul Kader Asmal, South African politician (1934–2011)
 * Abu Baker Asvat, founding member of Azapo (1943–1989)
 * Zainab Asvat, South African anti-apartheid activist (1920–2013)
 * Frances Baard, trade unionist, organiser for the African National Congress Women's League and a Patron of the United Democratic Front (1909–1997)
 * Esther Barsel, South African political activist, long-standing member of the South African Communist Party and wife to Hymie Barsel (1924–2008)
 * Hymie Barsel, South African activist (1920–1987)
 * Jeremy Baskin, trade unionist (born 1956)
 * Jean Bernadt, anti-apartheid activist (1914–2011)
 * Lionel Bernstein, anti-apartheid activist and political prisoner (1920–2002)
 * Edward Bhengu, founder member of the PAC (1934–2010)
 * Sibusiso Bengu, politician (born 1934)
 * Steve Biko, nonviolent political activist (1946–1977)
 * Sonia Bunting, journalist, political and anti-apartheid activist (1922–2001)
 * Amina Cachalia, South African anti-Apartheid activist, women's rights activist, and politician (1930–2013)
 * Ismail Ahmed Cachalia, South African political activist and a leader of Transvaal Indian Congress and the African National Congress (1908–2003)
 * Fort Calata, political activist and one of The Cradock Four (1956–1985)
 * James Calata, political activist and ANC secretary (1895–1983)
 * Collins Chabane, South African Minister of Public Service and Administration (1960–2015)
 * Laloo Chiba, South African politician and revolutionary (1930–2017)
 * Yusuf Dadoo, South African Communist and an anti-apartheid activist (1909–1983)
 * Eddie Daniels, anti-apartheid activist (1928–2017)
 * Nosipho Dastile, community and anti-Apartheid activist (1938–2009)
 * Sophia De Bruyn, political activist (born 1938)
 * Amina Desai, political prisoner (1920–2009)
 * Lilian Diedericks, South African activist (1925–2021)
 * Bettie du Toit, trade unionist and anti-apartheid activist (1910–2002)
 * Ebrahim Ebrahim, South African anti-apartheid activist (1937–2021)
 * Colin Eglin, South African politician (1925–2013)
 * Farid Esack, political activist and opposition to apartheid (born 1959)
 * Lucinda Evans, women's right activist (born 1972)
 * Ruth First, South African anti-apartheid activist, scholar and wife to Joe Slovo (1925–1982)
 * 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 (1933–2020)
 * Arthur Goldreich, abstract painter and anti-apartheid (1929–2011)
 * John Gomomo, South African Unionist and activist (1945–2008)
 * Matthew Goniwe, political activist and one of the Cradock four (1946–1985)
 * Zainunnisa Gool, anti-apartheid political and civil rights leader (1897–1963)
 * Joe Nzingo Gqabi, political activist (1929–1981)
 * Archibald Gumede, anti-apartheid activist, lawyer and politician (1914–1998)
 * Josiah Tshangana Gumede, political activist (1867–1946)
 * Harry Gwala, revolutionary leader in the African National Congress and South African Communist Party (1920–1995)
 * Nkululeko Gwala, prominent member of the shackdwellers' social movement Abahlali baseMjondolo (died 2013)
 * Alcott Skei Gwentshe, shopkeeper and political activist (died 1966)
 * Bertha Gxowa, anti-apartheid, women's rights activist and trade unionist (1934–2010)
 * Chris Hani, political activist (1942–1993)
 * Harold Hanson, politician and advocate (1904–1973)
 * Frederick John Harris, South African schoolteacher and anti-apartheid (1937–1965)
 * Abdullah Haron, South African Muslim cleric and anti-apartheid activist (1924–1969)
 * Ruth Hayman, anti-apartheid campaigner (1913–1981)
 * Alexander Hepple, trade unionist, politician, anti-apartheid activist and author and the last leader of the original South African Labour Party (1904–1983)
 * Bob Hepple, political activist, leader in the fields of labour law, equality and human rights (1934–2015)
 * Bavelile Gloria Hlongwa, South African chemical engineer and politician (1981–2019)
 * Bantu Holomisa, political activist (born 1955)
 * Timothy Peter Jenkin, anti-apartheid activist, political prisoner and writer (born 1948)
 * Helen Joseph, anti-apartheid activist (1905–1992)
 * Mthuli ka Shezi, South African playwright, political activist (1947–1972)
 * James Kantor, politician, lawyer and writer (1927–1974)
 * Ahmed Kathrada, political activist (1929–2017)
 * Philip Kgosana, political activist (1936–2017)
 * Winnie Kgware, anti-Apartheid activist (1917–1998)
 * Alice Kinloch (born 1863), human rights activist and writer
 * Wolfie Kodesh, South African Communist party activist (1918–2002)
 * Moses Kotane, anti-apartheid activist (1907–1978)
 * Ashley Kriel, South African activist (1966–1987)
 * Duma Kumalo, South African human rights activist and one of the Sharpeville Six (died 2006)
 * Dumisani Kumalo, South African politician (1947–2019)
 * Ellen Kuzwayo, political activist (1914–2006)
 * Lennox Lagu, political activist (1938–2011)
 * Stephen Bernard Lee, anti-apartheid and political prisoner (born 1951)
 * Anton Lembede, political activist (1914–1947)
 * Moses Mabhida, anti-apartheid activist (1923–1986)
 * Phakamile Mabija, anti-apartheid activist (died 1977)
 * Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, political activist and former 2nd wife to Nelson Mandela (1936–2018)
 * Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi, South African politician (1962–2021)
 * Zacharias Richard Mahabane, political activist (1881–1971)
 * Mac Maharaj, political activist (born 1935)
 * Solomon Mahlangu, Umkhonto we Sizwe operative (1956–1979)
 * Vusumzi Make, political activist (1931–2006)
 * Sefako Makgatho, political activist (1861–1951)
 * Mbuyisa Makhubo, anti-Apartheid activist (born 1957/1958)
 * Clarence Makwetu, political activist (1928–2016)
 * Adolph Malan, fighter pilot and civil rights activist (1910–1963)
 * Zollie Malindi, political activist (1924–2008)
 * Nelson Mandela, political activist and first President of South Africa (1918–2013)
 * Mosibudi Mangena, South Africa politician (born 1947)
 * Isaac Lesiba Maphotho, political activist (1931–2019)
 * J. B. Marks, politician activist (1903–1972)
 * Jafta Masemola, political activist (1929–1990)
 * Emma Mashinini, trade unionist and political leader (1929–2017)
 * Tsietsi Mashinini, South African anti-Apartheid activist and student leader of the Soweto uprising on 16 June 1976 (1957–1990)
 * Joseph Mathunjwa, Trade union leader and the head of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) (born 1965)
 * Florence Matomela, South African anti-pass law activist (1910–1969)
 * Joe Matthews, political activist and son of ZK Matthews (1929–2010)
 * Z. K. Matthews, political activist (1901–1968)
 * Seth Mazibuko, youngest member of the South African Students' Organisation that planned and led the Soweto uprising
 * Epainette Mbeki, political activist, mother of Thabo Mbeki and wife to Govan Mbeki (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)
 * Jean Middleton, anti-apartheid activist and wife to Harold Strachan (1928–2010)
 * Clarence Mini, anti-apartheid activist (1951–2020)
 * Vuyisile Mini, unionist and Umkhonto we Sizwe activist (1920–1964)
 * Nomhlangano Beauty Mkhize, political activist, shop steward and wife to Saul Mkhize (1946–1977)
 * Sparrow Mkhonto, political activist and one of the Cradock four (1951–1985)
 * Wilton Mkwayi, political activist (1923–2004)
 * Johnson Mlambo, political activist (1940–2021)
 * Andrew Mlangeni, political activist (1925–2020)
 * Thamsanga Mnyele, anti-apartheid (1948–1985)
 * Billy Modise, political activist (1930–2018)
 * Joe Modise, political activist (1929–2001)
 * Thabo Edwin Mofutsanyana, political activist (1899–1995)
 * Mapetla Mohapi, political activist (1947–1976)
 * Yunus Mohamed, (sometimes Mahomed) South African lawyer and activist (1950–2008)
 * Peter Mokaba, political activist (1959–2002)
 * Priscilla Mokaba, political activist and mother of Peter Mokaba (died 2013)
 * Ruth Mompati, political activist (1925–2015)
 * Moosa Moolla, political activist (1934–2023)
 * Strini Moodley, founding member of the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa (1946–2006)
 * Rahima Moosa, anti-apartheid activist (1922–1993)
 * James Moroka, political activist (1891–1985)
 * Zephania Mothopeng, political activist (1913–1990)
 * Nthato Motlana, physician and anti-apartheid activist (1925–2008)
 * Caroline Motsoaledi, political activist and wife to Elias Motsoaledi (died c.2015)
 * Elias Motsoaledi, political activist (1924–1994)
 * James Mpanza, political activist (1889–1970)
 * Oscar Mpetha, political activist and unionist (1909–1994)
 * Eric Mtshali, South African politician, trade unionist, and anti-apartheid activist (1933–2018)
 * Griffiths Mxenge, anti-apartheid activist (1935–1981)
 * Victoria Mxenge, anti-apartheid activist (1942–1985)
 * George Naicker, anti-apartheid activist (1919–1998)
 * Monty Naicker, South African anti-apartheid activist and medical doctor (1910–1978)
 * Ama Naidoo, anti-apartheid activist (1908–1993)
 * Naransamy Roy Naidoo, political (1901–1953)
 * Billy Nair, political activist (1929–2008)
 * Rita Ndzanga, anti-apartheid activist and trade unionist (1933–2022)
 * Mary Ngalo, South African anti-apartheid activist and was also active in fighting for women's rights (died 1973)
 * Lilian Ngoyi, anti-apartheid activist (1911–1980)
 * Looksmart Ngudle, political activist (1922–1963)
 * Joe Nhlanhla, African National Congress national executive and the former South African Minister of Justice (Intelligence Affairs) (1936–2008)
 * John Nkadimeng, politician and anti-apartheid activist (1927–2020)
 * Vernon Nkadimeng, political activist (1958–1985)
 * Nkwenkwe Nkomo, SASO nine member
 * William Frederick Nkomo, medical doctor, community leader, political activist and teacher (1915–1972)
 * Duma Nokwe, political activist (1927–1978)
 * Jabulile Nyawose, trade unionist and anti-apartheid activist (1948–1982)
 * Alfred Nzo, political activist (1925–2000)
 * Albert Nzula, political activist (1905–1934)
 * Abdullah Mohamed Omar, anti-Apartheid activist and lawyer (1934–2004)
 * Roy Padayachie, politician and Minister of Public Service and Administration of the Republic of South Africa (1950–2012)
 * Aziz Pahad, political activist (born 1940)
 * Essop Pahad, political activist (1939–2023)
 * Sabelo Phama, revolutionary (1949–1994)
 * Motsoko Pheko, politician, lawyer, author, historian, theologian and academic (1930–2024)
 * Joyce Piliso-Seroke, South-African educator, activist, feminist and community organizer (born 1933)
 * Sol Plaatje, political activist (1876–1932)
 * John Nyathi Pokela, political activist (1922/1923–1985)
 * Maggie Resha, political activist and wife of Robert Resha (1923–2003)
 * Robert Resha, political activist (1920–1978)
 * Fabian Ribeiro, South African doctor and anti-apartheid activist (1933–1986)
 * Florence Ribeiro, anti-apartheid activist and wife of Fabian Ribeiro (1933–1986)
 * Walter Rubusana, first deputy president of the ANC (1856–1936)
 * Albie Sachs, political activist (born 1935)
 * Harry Schwarz, South African lawyer, statesman and long-time political opposition leader against apartheid in South Africa (1924–2010)
 * Jackie Sedibe, South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Major General and politician activist and wife to Joe Modise (born 1945)
 * Molefi Sefularo, Deputy Minister of Health (1957–2010)
 * James Seipei, teenage United Democratic Front (UDF) activist (1974–1989)
 * Nimrod Sejake, labour leader in South Africa, leading member of the Congress of South African Trade Unions and secretary of the Iron Steel Workers (1920–2004)
 * Dulcie September, South African anti-apartheid political activist (1935–1988)
 * Reggie September, activist (1923–2013)
 * Nomvuzo Shabalala, politician (1960–2020)
 * Gertrude Shope, South African trade unionist and politician (born 1925)
 * Gert Sibande, political activist (1907–1987)
 * Archie Sibeko, political activist and trade unionist (1928–2018)
 * David Sibeko, South Africa politician and journalist (1938–1979)
 * Letitia Sibeko, political activist and wife to Archie Sibeko (1930–??)
 * Joyce Nomafa Sikakane, South African journalist and activist (born 1943)
 * Annie Silinga, South African anti-pass laws and anti-apartheid political activist (1910–1984)
 * 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 (1918–2011)
 * Walter Sisulu, political activist (1912–2003)
 * Zola Skweyiya, political activist (1942–2018)
 * Joe Slovo, South African politician, and an opponent of the apartheid system (1926–1995)
 * 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)
 * Harold Strachan, anti-apartheid activist (1925–2020)
 * Helen Suzman, South African anti-apartheid activist and politician (1917–2009)
 * Isaac Bangani Tabata, political activist (1909–1990)
 * Dora Tamana, South African anti-apartheid activist (1901–1983)
 * Adelaide Tambo, political activist and wife to Oliver Tambo (1929–2007)
 * Oliver Tambo, political activist (1917–1993)
 * Selope Thema, South African political activist and leader (1886–1955)
 * Mary Thipe, anti-apartheid and human rights activist (1917–2002)
 * Mohammed Tikly, South African educator and struggle veteran (1939–2020)
 * Ahmed Timol, anti-apartheid activist, political leader and activist in the underground South African Communist Party (SACP) (1941–1971)
 * Abram Onkgopotse Tiro, South African student political activist (1945–1974)
 * Steve Tshwete, political activist (1938–2002)
 * Ben Turok, anti-apartheid activist and Economics Professor (1927–2019)
 * Moses Twebe, South African politician (1916–2013)
 * Zwelinzima Vavi, former general secretary of COSATU, and Trade union leader SAFTU (born 1962)
 * Randolph Vigne, anti-apartheid activist (1928–2016)
 * Sheila Weinberg, anti-apartheid activist (1945–2004)
 * AnnMarie Wolpe, sociologist, feminist, anti-apartheid activist and wife to Harold Wolpe (1930–2018)
 * Harold Wolpe, lawyer, sociologist, political economist and anti-apartheid activist (1926–1996)
 * Khoisan X, political activist (1955–2010)
 * Alfred Xuma, political activist and ANC president (1893–1962)
 * Tony Yengeni, anti-Apartheid activist (born 1954)

Apartheid operatives

 * Wouter Basson, apartheid scientist (born 1950)
 * Dirk Coetzee, apartheid covert operative (1945–2013)
 * Eugene de Kock, apartheid assassin (born 1949)
 * Clive Derby-Lewis, assassin and former parliamentarian (1936–2016)
 * 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

 * 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 (1792–1864)
 * 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, Chief Justice of South Africa and acting Governor-General (1873–1960)

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)
 * Steve Biko, nonviolent political activist (1946–1977)
 * 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, and President of the Weizmann Institute of Science (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)
 * Albert Luthuli, President of the African National Congress, 1952–67 (1898–1967)
 * Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, politician and second wife of Nelson Mandela (1936–2018)
 * Trevor Manuel, minister of finance (born 1956)
 * Lindiwe Mazibuko, former Parliamentary Leader for the opposition Democratic Alliance (born 1980)
 * Govan Mbeki, political activist and father of Thabo Mbeki (1910–2001)
 * Roelf Meyer, politician and businessman (born 1947)
 * Raymond Mhlaba, political activist and the former Premier of the Eastern Cape (1920–2005)
 * Vuyisile Mini, unionist and Umkhonto we Sizwe activist (1920–1964)
 * Johnson Mlambo, political activist (1940–2021)
 * 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)
 * Walter Sisulu, political activist (1912–2003)
 * 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)
 * Robert Sobukwe, political activist and founder of PAC (1924–1978)
 * Helen Suzman, politician (1917–2009)
 * Oliver Tambo, political activist (1917–1993)
 * Catherine Taylor, politician (1914–1992)
 * Frederik van Zyl Slabbert, PFP opposition leader (1940–2010)
 * Helen Zille, former DA opposition leader, former 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 (1936–2021)
 * 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)
 * Marthinus Prinsloo, 1st President of the Republic of Graaff-Reinet (1751–1825)
 * 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)
 * Hermanus Steyn, 1st and last President of the Republic of Swellendam (1743–1804)
 * 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)

Provincial Premiers



 * Nosimo Balindlela, 3rd Premier of the Eastern Cape (born 1949)
 * Lynne Brown, (interim) 6th Premier of the Western Cape (born 1961)
 * Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, 2nd Premier of the Free State (1937–2009)
 * Grizelda Cjiekella, (acting) Premier of the Northern Cape (1970–2012)
 * Manne Dipico, 1st Premier of the Northern Cape (born 1959)
 * Winkie Direko, 3rd Premier of the Free State (1929–2012)
 * Hazel Jenkins, 3rd Premier of the Northern Cape (born 1960)
 * Noxolo Kiviet, 5th Premier of the Eastern Cape (born 1963)
 * Hernus Kriel, 1st Premier of the Western Cape (1941–2015)
 * Mosiuoa Lekota, 1st Premier of the Free State (born 1948)
 * Sylvia Lucas, 4th Premier of the Northern Cape (born 1964)
 * David Mabuza, 4th Premier of Mpumalanga (born 1960)
 * Ace Magashule, 5th Premier of the Free State (born 1959)
 * Supra Mahumapelo, 5th Premier of North West (born 1968)
 * David Makhura, 6th Premier of Gauteng (born 1968)
 * Thabang Makwetla, 3rd Premier of Mpumalanga (born 1957)
 * Peter Marais, 3rd Premier of the Western Cape (born 1948)
 * Beatrice Marshoff, 4th Premier of the Free State (born 1957)
 * Paul Mashatile, 4th Premier of Gauteng (born 1961)
 * Stanley Mathabatha, 4th Premier of Limpopo (born 1957)
 * Cassel Mathale, 3rd Premier of Limpopo (born 1961)
 * Senzo Mchunu, 6th Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (born 1958)
 * Willies Mchunu, 7th Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (born 1948)
 * Frank Mdlalose, 1st Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (1931–2021)
 * Raymond Mhlaba, 1st Premier of the Eastern Cape (1920–2005)
 * Zweli Mkhize, 5th Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (born 1956)
 * Thandi Modise, 4th Premier of North West (born 1959)
 * Maureen Modiselle, 3rd Premier of North West (born 1941)
 * Job Mokgoro, 6th Premier of North West (born 1948)
 * Nomvula Mokonyane, 5th Premier of Gauteng (born 1963)
 * Popo Molefe, 1st Premier of North West (born 1952)
 * Edna Molewa, 2nd Premier of North West (1957–2018)
 * Sello Moloto, 2nd Premier of Limpopo (born 1964)
 * Gerald Morkel, 2nd Premier of the Western Cape (1941–2018)
 * Mathole Motshekga, 2nd Premier of Gauteng (born 1949)
 * Lionel Mtshali, 3rd Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (1935–2015)
 * Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane, 5th Premier of Mpumalanga (born 1972/73)
 * S'bu Ndebele, 4th Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (born 1948)
 * Ben Ngubane, 2nd Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (1941–2021)
 * Sisi Ntombela, 6th Premier of the Free State (born 1956/1957)
 * Dipuo Peters, 2nd Premier of the Northern Cape (born 1960)
 * Mathews Phosa, 1st Premier of Mpumalanga (born 1952)
 * Ngoako Ramathlodi, 1st Premier of Limpopo (born 1955)
 * Leonard Ramatlakane, (acting) Premier of the Western Cape (born 1953)
 * Ebrahim Rasool, 5th Premier of the Western Cape (born 1962)
 * Zamani Saul, 5th Premier of the Northern Cape (born 1972)
 * Tokyo Sexwale, 1st Premier of Gauteng (born 1953)
 * Mbhazima Shilowa, 3rd Premier of Gauteng (born 1958)
 * Mbulelo Sogoni, 4th Premier of the Eastern Cape (born 1966)
 * Makhenkesi Stofile, 2nd Premier of the Eastern Cape (1944–2016)
 * Marthinus van Schalkwyk, 4th Premier of the Western Cape (born 1959)
 * Alan Winde, 8th Premier of the Western Cape (born 1965)
 * Sihle Zikalala, 8th Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (born 1973)
 * Helen Zille, 7th Premier of the Western Cape (born 1951)

Homelands Leaders



 * Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Chief Executive Councillor and Chief Minister of KwaZulu (1928–2023)
 * Prince Johannes Mkolishi Dlamini, chief executive officer of KaNgwane (1928–1988)
 * Oupa Gqozo, President of Ciskei (born 1952)
 * Gen. Bantu Holomisa, Prime Minister of Transkei (born 1955)
 * Chief Thandathu Jongilizwe Mabandla, chief executive officer; Chief Executive Councillor and Chief Minister of Ciskei (1926–2021)
 * Dr. Enos John Mabuza, Chief Minister of KaNgwane (1939–1997)
 * Prince James Mahlangu, Chief Minister of KwaNdebele (1953–2005)
 * Rocky Malebane-Metsing, President of Bophuthatswana (1949–2016)
 * Kgosi Lucas Mangope, chief executive officer; Chief Executive Councillor; Chief Minister and President of Bophuthatswana (1923–2018)
 * Chief George Matanzima, Prime Minister of Transkei (1918–2000)
 * King Kaiser Matanzima, Chief Minister; Prime Minister and President of Transkei (1915–2003)
 * Edward Mhinga, acting Chief Minister of Gazankulu (1927–2017)
 * Job Mokgoro, Administrator (Transitional Executive Council) of Bophuthatswana (born 1948)
 * Kenneth Mopeli, Chief Executive Councillor and Chief Minister of Qwaqwa (1930–2014)
 * Chief Patrick Mphephu, chief executive officer; Chief Executive Councillor; Chief Minister and the President of Venda (1924–1988)
 * King Tutor Vulindlela Ndamase, President of Transkei (1921–1997)
 * Hudson William Edison Ntsanwisi, Chief of Minister of Gazankulu (1920–1993)
 * Samuel Dickenson Nxumalo, Chief Minister of Gazankulu (1926–2017)
 * Dr. Cedric Phatudi, Chief Minister of Lebowa (1912–1987)
 * Nelson Ramodike, Chief Minister of Lebowa (died 2012)
 * Gabriel Ramushwana, Head of State of Venda (1941–2015)
 * Frank Ravele, Head of State of Venda (1926–1999)
 * Lt. Gen. Charles Sebe, acting Chief Minister of Ciskei (died c.1991)
 * Chief Lennox Sebe, Chief Minister and President of Ciskei (1926–1994)
 * King Botha Sigcau, President of Transkei and father of Stella Sigcau (died c.1978)
 * Stella Sigcau, Prime of Transkei (1937–2006)
 * Tjaart van der Walt, Administrator Transitional Executive Council of Bophuthatswana (1934–2019)
 * Mangisi Zitha, the last Chief Minister of KaNgwane

Administrators of former provinces



 * Cornelius Botha, 12th and last Administrator of the Natal Province (1932–2014)
 * Stoffel Botha, 10th Administrator of the Natal Province (1929–1998)
 * Radclyffe Cadman, 11th Administrator of the Natal Province (1924–2011)
 * Dr Willem Adriaan Cruywagen, 10th Administrator of the Transvaal Province (1921–2013)
 * Nicolaas Frederic de Waal, 1st Administrator of the Cape Province (1853–1932)
 * Jim Fouché, 8th Administrator of the Orange Free State Province (1898–1980)
 * Theo Gerdener, 8th Administrator of the Natal Province (1916–2013)
 * Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, 3rd Administrator of the Transvaal Province (1894–1948)
 * Gene Louw, 13th Administrator of the Cape Province (1931–2015)
 * Nico Malan, 10th Administrator of the Cape Province
 * William Nico, 7th Administrator of the Transvaal Province (1887–1967)
 * Frans Hendrik Odendaal, 8th Administrator of the Transvaal Province (1898–1966)
 * Denis Gem Shepstone, 6th Administrator of the Natal Province (1888–1966)
 * Alfred Ernest Trollip, 7th Administrator of the Natal Province (1895–1972)
 * Johannes Van Rensburg, 6th Administrator of the Orange Free State Province (1898–1966)
 * Gideon Brand van Zyl, 5th Administrator of the Cape Province (1873–1956)
 * Sir Cornelius Hermanus Wessels, 2nd Administrator of the Orange Free State Province (1851–1924)

Kings, queens, princes and princesses

 * Cetshwayo kaMpande, 4th Zulu king (1826–1884)
 * Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon, 7th Zulu king (1924–1945)
 * Goodwill Zwelethini, 8th king of the Zulu nation (1948–2021)
 * Mantifombi Dlamini, wife of Goodwill Zweilithini and former Queen of Zulu nation (1956–2021)
 * Mangosuthu Buthelezi, politician and a Zulu prince (1928–2023)
 * Dingane kaSenzangakhona, 2nd Zulu king and half-brother of Shaka (1795–1840)
 * Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo, 5th Zulu king, not officially recognized (1868–1913)
 * Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, Aa! Zwelibanzi! King of the Thembu (born 1964)
 * Sabata Dalindyebo, Aa! Jonguhlanga! King of the Thembu (1928–1986)
 * Faku kaNgqungqushe, King of the Mpondo (1780–1867)
 * Hintsa ka Khawuta, Aa! Zanzolo! King of Xhosa Nation (1780–1835)
 * Khawuta kaGcaleka, Aa! Khala! King of the Xhosa Nation (1761–1804)
 * Langalibalele, Hlubi king (1814–1889)
 * Ingwenyama Mayitjha II, 7th Ndebele, king of Ndzundza-Mabhoko (1947–2005)
 * Magogo kaDinuzulu, Zulu princess and mother of Mangosuthu Buthelezi (1900–1984)
 * Mampuru II, king of the Marota (or Bapedi) (died c.1883)
 * Lwandile Matanzima, Aa! Zwelenkosi! King of the Western Thembu (1970/71–2010)
 * Luzuko Matiwane, Aa! Zwelozuko! King of AmaMpondomise (born 1978)
 * Maselekwane Modjadji, Balobedu's 1st Rain Queen (died 1854)
 * Masalanabo Modjadji, Balobedu's 2nd Rain Queen (died 1894)
 * Khetoane Modjadji, Balobedu's 3rd Rain Queen (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)
 * Mkabayi kaJama, Zulu princess and sister of Senzangakhona (1750–1843)
 * Mpande, 3rd Zulu king and half-brother of Shaka (1798–1872)
 * Mthimkhulu II, King of the AmaHlubi (1778–1818)
 * Mzilikazi, king of the Matabele (1790–1868)
 * Nandi, Mhlongo princess and mother of Shaka (1760–1827)
 * Tutor Vulindlela Ndamase, Nyangelizwe! King of the Western Pondo (1921–1997)
 * Ngqungqushe kaNyawuza, Mpondo King (1715/1760–1810/1815)
 * Ngubengcuka, Aa! Ndaba! prominent king of the abaThembu (died 1830)
 * Emma Sandile, (1842–1892), Aa! Emma! Xhosa Princess and the daughter of King Sandile kaNgqika (1842–1892)
 * Sandile kaNgqika, Aa! Mgolombane! Xhosa king of the Right Hand House of the Xhosa Nation (1820–1878)
 * Zanesizwe Sandile, Aa! Zanesizwe! King of the Right Hand House of the Xhosa Nation (1956–2011)
 * Noloyiso Sandile, Aa! Noloyiso! Zulu Princess and Rharhabe Regent Queen (1963–2020)
 * Sarili kaHintsa, Aa! Krili! King Of The Xhosa Nation (c. 1810–1892)
 * Botha Sigcau, Jongilizwe! King of the Eastern Pondo (died 1978)
 * Xolilizwe Sigcawu, Aa! Xolilizwe! Xhosa King (1926–2005)
 * Zwelonke Sigcawu, Aa! Zwelonke! Xhosa king (1968–2019)
 * Sekhukhune, king of the Marota (or Bapedi) (1814–1882)
 * Senzangakhona kaJama, Zulu king and father of Shaka (1762–1816)
 * Shaka, founder of the Zulu nation (1787–1828)
 * Solomon kaDinuzulu, 6th Zulu king, not officially recognized (1891–1933)
 * Victor Thulare III, king of the Pedi (1980–2021)
 * uZibhebhu kaMaphitha, Zulu prince and chief (1841–1904)

Tribal leaders and prophets
See also: Gcaleka rulers, Rharhabe rulers Ndwandwe people, Xhosa Chiefs


 * Bambatha kaMancinza, Zulu chief of the amaZondi clan and Bambatha Rebellion (1865–1906)
 * 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, Aa! Jongilizwe! amaBhele chief, Tyume Valley, Alice, Ciskei (1926–2021)
 * Makhanda, amaXhosa prophet (died 1819)
 * Maqoma, Aa! Jongumsobomvu! amaRharhabe chief (1798–1873)
 * Chief Mqalo, Amakhuze chief, Ciskei region (1916–2008)
 * Moshoeshoe I, Basotho chief (c. 1786–1870)
 * Nongqawuse, millennialist amaXhosa prophetess (c. 1840–1898)
 * Ntsikana, amaXhosa prophet (1780–1821)
 * Lennox Sebe, Chief of AmaNtinde (1926–1994)
 * Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Sigcau, traditional leader of Lwandlolubomvu Traditional Council (1947–1996)
 * Sigananda kaSokufa, Zulu aristocrat (c. 1815–1906)
 * Hendrik Spoorbek, prophet and magician (died 1845)
 * Mbongeleni Zondi, Zulu chief and great-grandson of Inkosi Bambatha kaMancinza (1969–2009)

Atheists

 * Zackie Achmat, AIDS activist, (born 1962)
 * David Benatar, professor of philosophy (born 1966)
 * Barry Duke, activist, journalist, editor of The Freethinker (born 1947)
 * Nadine Gordimer, activist, writer, Nobel laureate (1923–2014)
 * Chris Hani, politician (1942–1993)
 * Ronnie Kasrils, politician (born 1938)
 * Govan Mbeki, political activist and father of Thabo Mbeki (1910–2001)
 * Jacques Rousseau, secular activist, social commentator (born 1971)
 * Harold Rubin, visual artist, musician (1932–2020)
 * Joe Slovo, politician (1926–1995)
 * Lewis Wolpert, author, biologist, broadcaster (1929–2021)

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)
 * David Jacobus Bosch, missiologist and theologian (1929–1992)
 * 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)
 * Edward Lekganyane, the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) leader (1922–1967)
 * Engenas Lekganyane, the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) founder (1885–1948)
 * 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)
 * Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, Catholic priest (born 1939)
 * Frederick Samuel Modise, founder of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (1914–1998)
 * Glayton Modise, the International Pentecostal Holiness Church leader (1940–2016)
 * Andrew Murray (1828–1917)
 * Zithulele Patrick Mvemve, South African Roman Catholic bishop (1941–2020)
 * Selby Mvusi, theologian and artist (1929–1967)
 * Wilfrid Napier, cardinal of the Catholic Church (born 1941)
 * Beyers Naudé, cleric and anti-apartheid activist (1915–2004)
 * Jozua Naudé, pastor, school founder and co-founder of the Afrikaner Broederbond (1873–1948)
 * Carl Niehaus, theologian and former spokesman of South African president Nelson Mandela (born 1959)
 * Albert Nolan, Catholic priest (1934–2022)
 * John Philip, missionary (1775–1851)
 * Barney Pityana, human rights lawyer and theologian (born 1945)
 * Ambrose Reeves, Anglican bishop and opponent of Apartheid (1899–1980)
 * David Russell, South African Anglican bishop (1938–2014)
 * Isaiah Shembe, the Church of Nazareth founder (1865–1935)
 * Desmond Tutu, cleric and Nobel Peace Prize winner (1931–2021)
 * William Cullen Wilcox, missionary (1850–1928)

Conservationists

 * Ian Player (1927–2014)
 * James Stevenson-Hamilton (1867–1957)
 * John Varty (born 1950)

Food

 * Bertus Basson (born 1979)
 * Karen Dudley (born 1968)
 * Prue Leith (born 1940)
 * Abigail Mbalo-Mokoena
 * Jenny Morris
 * Nompumelelo Mqwebu (born 1977)
 * Siba Mtongana (born 1984)
 * Kamini Pather (born 1983)
 * Reuben Riffel (born 1974)
 * Lesego Semenya (1982–2021)
 * Faldela Williams (1952–2014)

Travelers, adventurers and pioneers

 * Alexander Biggar, colonial pioneer (1781–1838)
 * Jeanne M. Borle, missionary and naturalist (1880 – ca. 1979)
 * 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 (born 1946)
 * Mike Horn, explorer, traveler, environmentalist, adventurer (born 1966)
 * James Alexander, explorer of the west coast and Namibia (1803–1885)
 * Saray Khumalo, explorer and mountaineer (born 1972)

Criminals



 * Thabo Bester, convicted criminal, rapist and serial killer (born 1986)
 * Daisy de Melker, second woman to be hanged for murder under the Union of South Africa (1886–1932)
 * William Foster, leader of the Foster Gang
 * Allan Heyl, Stander Gang member and bank robber (died 2020)
 * Cedric Maake, serial killer (born 1965)
 * Bulelani Mabhayi, serial killer (born 1974)
 * Simon Majola, robber and serial killer who, with (born 1968)
 * Fanuel Makamu, robber, rapist and serial killer (born 1977)
 * Andries Makgae, serial killer and rapist (born 1962)
 * Lee McCall, Stander Gang member and bank robber (1950–1984)
 * Nicholas Lungisa Ncama, a rapist and serial killer
 * Velaphi Ndlangamandla, robber and serial killer (born 1966)
 * Solomon Ngobeni, the last person to be executed by the government of South Africa (died 1989)
 * Butana Almond Nofomela, murder (born 1957)
 * Gert van Rooyen, paedophile (1938–1990)
 * Khangayi Sedumedi, Killer South African serial killer and rapist (born 1977)
 * Schabir Shaik, convicted fraudster
 * Norman Afzal Simons, rapist and serial killer (born 1967)
 * Moses Sithole, convicted serial rapist and murderer (born 1964)
 * Rashied Staggie, crime boss (1961–2019)
 * Andre Stander, gang member (1946–1984)
 * Thozamile Taki, serial killer (born 1971)
 * Sipho Thwala, rapist and serial killer (born 1968)
 * Dorethea van der Merwe, first woman to be hanged for murder under the Union of South Africa
 * Bulelani Vukwana, spree killer (c. 1973–2002)
 * Elias Xitavhudzi, serial killer
 * Christopher Mhlengwa Zikode, rapist and serial killer (born 1975)

Other

 * Sir Herbert Baker, influential in South African architecture (1862–1946)
 * Nozipho Bhengu, woman whose death was from an AIDS-related illness (1974–2006)
 * Fredie Blom, South African supercentenarian Fredie Blom (1904–2020)
 * Denise Darvall, considered to be donor for the first human heart transplant (1943–1967)
 * Ncoza Dlova, heralded as first black female head of University of KwaZulu-Natal's School of Clinical Medicine
 * Napoléon Eugène, last of Napoleons who died in Zulu war (1856–1879)
 * Emily Hobhouse, African British welfare campaigner for South Africans (1860–1926)
 * John Hutchinson, thorough contributor to South African botany (1884–1972)
 * Nkosi Johnson, child who died of AIDS (1989–2001)
 * Isabel Jean Jones, early consumer advocate journalist (died 2008)
 * Masego Kgomo, South African girl murdered (1999–2009)
 * Marie Koopmans-de Wet, South African philanthropist and hostess (1834–1906)
 * Sandra Laing, racial classification victim (born 1955)
 * Paul Lloyd Jr, first South African wrestler to wrestle in WWE, son of successful SA wrestling promoter Paul Lloyd (born 1981)
 * Asnath Mahapa, first female South African pilot (born 1979)
 * Joe Mamasela, former Apartheid government spy (born 1953)
 * Nomkhitha Virginia Mashinini, South African apartheid detainee, the mother of political figure Tsietsi Mashinini, and a community worker (1935–2008)
 * Leigh Matthews, South African university student, kidnapped and murdered (1983–2004)
 * Breaker Morant, Australian Boer War soldier executed by the British Army (1864–1902)
 * Uyinene Mrwetyana, South African student, raped and murdered (2000–2019)
 * Hastings Ndlovu, poster victim of the Soweto riots (1961–1976)
 * 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)
 * Maki Skosana, necklaced due to be suspected as a police informer (1961–1985)
 * Reeva Steenkamp, South African model and paralegal (1983–2013)
 * Adam Tas, colonial activist (1668–1722)
 * Andries Tatane, Ficksburg activist killed by police (1978–2011)
 * Taung Child, hominid 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)