The Most Famous Person in South Africa, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the person you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 4, 2024 07:11

Ranking the most prominent personalities in South Africa can offer intriguing insights into the diverse cultural, political, and entertainment spheres that shape the nation. By identifying those who capture significant public attention, citizens and observers alike can gain a clearer understanding of who is currently influencing the country's landscape. This dynamic list invites participation from everyone, providing a unique opportunity to contribute to the collective voice on who stands out in the South African public eye. By casting your vote, you help ensure that the ranking stays reflective of real-time public opinion and cultural relevance.

Who Is the Most Famous Person in South Africa?

1

60
votes
Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel · CC BY-SA 2.0

Nelson Mandela

He is a global icon for his role in the anti-apartheid struggle, and his legacy as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.
Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and inspiring figures of the 20th century.

Born: July 18, 1918

Died: December 5, 2013

Political Affiliation: African National Congress (ANC)

Imprisonment: Spent 27 years in prison (1962-1990)

Awards and Recognition: Nobel Peace Prize (1993), Bharat Ratna, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and more
Nelson Mandela in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous convict
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous African
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous freedom fighter
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous rebels
- Position 7 of 10 in Most successful Prime Minister in the world
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous African American
2

29
votes
Benny Gool · Public domain

Desmond Tutu

He is a retired Anglican bishop and social rights activist who played a significant role in the anti-apartheid movement.
Desmond Tutu in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous Bishop
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous African
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous humanitarian
3

26
votes
Fuzheado · CC BY-SA 4.0

Charlize Theron

She is an Academy Award-winning actress who hails from South Africa and is known for her work in films such as "Monster" and "Mad Max: Fury Road".
The Charlize Theron is a type of eye that exudes an unparalleled sense of depth and allure. They are large, wide-set eyes that are complemented by Theron's striking bone structure and natural beauty.

Color: Grayish-blue

Shape: Almond

Size: Large

Eyelashes: Long and voluminous

Eye-to-face ratio: Proportional
Charlize Theron in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Dior ambassador
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous actor in South Africa
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous blonde
- Position 7 of 10 in Most beautiful eyes in the world
- Position 8 of 10 in Most attractive actress
- Position 8 of 10 in Most beautiful mother in the world
4

11
votes
"Peabody Awards" on YouTube · CC BY 3.0

Trevor Noah

He is a comedian, political commentator, and television host who is best known for hosting "The Daily Show" on Comedy Central.
Trevor Noah in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous YouTuber in South Africa
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous host
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous celebrity in Africa
5

18
votes
Duncan.Hull · CC BY-SA 4.0

Elon Musk

Elon Musk

He is a billionaire entrepreneur and inventor who co-founded PayPal and is currently the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla.
Elon Musk is a South African-born American entrepreneur and business magnate known for his involvement in various groundbreaking technological ventures. He is the founder, CEO, and lead designer of SpaceX; CEO and product architect of Tesla, Inc.; CEO of Neuralink; and founder of The Boring Company. Musk is highly regarded for his ambitious goals to revolutionize space travel, sustainable energy, and transportation.

SpaceX: Space exploration and transportation company

Tesla, Inc.: Electric vehicle and clean energy company

Neuralink: Neurotechnology company focused on implantable brain–machine interfaces

The Boring Company: Infrastructure and tunnel construction company

Founder: Zip2 Corporation, X.com (later PayPal), SolarCity (now part of Tesla)
Elon Musk in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous entrepreneur in South Africa
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous CEO
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous person in California
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular Cancer Zodiac sign
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous cyber-celebrity
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous businessperson
6

15
votes

Yann Caradec from Paris, France · CC BY-SA 2.0

Caster Semenya

She is a middle-distance runner who won Olympic gold in the 800 meters in 2012 and 2016. Her career has been marked by controversy due to her gender identity.
7

16
votes
Miriam Makeba

She was a singer and civil rights activist who used her music to raise awareness of the struggles faced by black South Africans during apartheid.
Miriam Makeba in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous South African singer
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous singer in South Africa
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous musician in Africa
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous African
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous person in Tanzania
8

0
votes
Presidential Press and Information Office / Пресс-служба Президента России · CC BY 4.0

Jacob Zuma

He is a former president of South Africa who served from 2009 to 2018. His presidency was marked by controversy and allegations of corruption.
Jacob Zuma in other rankings
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular politician in South Africa
9

10
votes
WOMEX · CC BY 2.0

Hugh Masekela

He was a jazz musician and anti-apartheid activist who used his music to raise awareness of the struggles faced by black South Africans.
Hugh Masekela in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous singer in South Africa
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous South African singer
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous musician in Africa
10

3
votes
Thomaswmeek · CC BY-SA 3.0

Lucas Radebe

He is a retired professional footballer who played for Leeds United and captained the South African national team. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers to come out of South Africa.
Lucas Radebe in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous Leeds United player

Missing your favorite person?

Graphs

Discussion

Ranking factors for famous person

Popularity

The individual's general popularity and recognition within South Africa are essential factors. This can be determined through public opinion, social media presence, and media coverage.
Achievements

Consider the person's notable achievements and contributions in their respective field, such as entertainment, sports, politics, business, or philanthropy. Recognition through awards and honors can also be considered.
Cultural impact

Evaluate how the person has influenced South African culture and society. This can include their artistic work, activism, cultural representation, or any significant contributions that have had a lasting impact.
Reach and influence

Consider the scale of their audience or following, both within South Africa and globally. This includes factors such as social media followers, international recognition, and influence on public opinion.
Media coverage

Analyze the person's presence in the media, including print, online, and broadcast media. This includes news features, interviews, appearances, and any other media exposure.
Longevity

Evaluate the individual's staying power and relevance over time. Consider how long they have maintained their fame and popularity, as well as their continued impact on South African society.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous person in South Africa. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or person is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2856 views
180 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each person once every 24 hours. The rank of each person is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous person in south africa

South Africa is a country rich in cultural diversity and has produced many famous personalities over the years. The country has a vibrant entertainment industry, and its sportsmen and women have also made a mark on the world stage. The most famous person in South Africa is a highly debated topic. However, some names that often come up in discussions include former South African president Nelson Mandela, Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and actress Charlize Theron, to name a few. With such a rich history and a diverse range of talents, it's no surprise that South Africa has produced many famous personalities who have made a significant impact on the world.