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The 10 Greatest South Africans of all time

27 Sep 2004 23:5234 commentsBizLike
The 10 greatest South Africans as nominated by the South African public were revealed Sunday night on SABC 3's Great South Africans Top 100 show. They are (alphabetically): Dr Christiaan Barnard, F W De Klerk, Mahatma Ghandi, Nkosi Johnson; Winnie Madikizela Mandela; Nelson Mandela; Thabo Mbeki; Gary Player; Jan Smuts and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
In a surprise departure from the BBC format of the popular series, Nelson Mandela was declared the Greatest South African of all; throwing the race wide open as the public are now being asked to vote for a winner from the other 9 Great South Africans who they believe most deserving of a place in history next to Nelson Mandela.

Every Sunday, for the next nine weeks SABC 3 will broadcast a 30-minute documentary on each of the Great South Africans. A celebrity 'champion' whose role it is to convince the public why their candidate should win will present each documentary. On December 9th, the champions will engage in a live studio debate after which the votes will be counted and the winner declared.

The Top 9 champions and their candidates are:
Casey B Dolan: Dr Christiaan Barnard
Phat Joe: F W De Klerk
Brenda Kali: Mahatma Ghandi
Gcina Mhlope: Nkosi Johnson
Fatima Meer: Winnie Madikizela Mandela
Bob Mabena: Thabo Mbeki
Kass Naidoo: Gary Player
John Robbie: Jan Smuts
Zola: Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Commenting on the results, Anant Singh, Executive Producer said: "I don't believe anyone would dispute the fact that Nelson Mandela is the Greatest South African of all time. In terms of this process he received tens of thousands of votes more than his nearest nominee and our challenge was to ensure that we acknowledge the depth of greatness we have as South Africans. This way we can focus on the merits of the other nine and the public can vote for who they think should stand next to Nelson Mandela."

The voting lines opened straight after the show last night and the public can now vote for their Greatest South African by calling 086 22 33 123, or by sms'ing the name of their candidate to 33 123, or by voting on the Great South African website at www.sabc3.co.za.

The Top 100 list of Great South Africans had many surprises, offering fascinating insight into what people regard as greatness. Added Singh, "It is important to remember that this list is a snapshot of a moment in time when South Africans nominated their greats. It's unique, it's disputable, but also fascinating."

Disgraced cricket captain Hansie Cronje was in 11th spot and just missed out making it into the Top 10; Charlize Theron was the highest placed actress on the list (#12), Brenda Fassie the highest placed musician (#17) and Mark Shuttleworth the highest placed businessman (#18). JRR Tolkien - who spent nearly all of his life in the UK - was the highest placed author on a list (#35) that excluded Nobel Prize winner JM Coetzee. The only artist on the list was JH Pierneef (#99). The two children on the list were Hector Peterson (#85) killed in the 1976 Soweto uprising and the late HIV/Aids activist Nkosi Johnson who made the top 10.

Nobel laureates in the Top 100 were Nelson Mandela, F.W. De Klerk, Archbishop Tutu, Nadine Gordimer (#80) and Albert Luthuli (#41). The only beauty queen was Basetsana Kumalo (#74), while Zola was the highest ranked television personality (#21).

Husbands and wives (some now former) nominated, were Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela Mandela who both made the Top 10; Walter and Albertina Sisulu and Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela. Father and son nominations went to the current South African president, Thabo Mbeki and his father Govan Mbeki.

Only 32 people who made the final 100 are deceased as voters have clearly favoured recent heroes and icons in South African history. Those who have been dead the longest, are Jan van Riebeeck and Shaka Zulu.

Entertainment was pretty high up too, with Afrikaans crooner, Steve Hofmeyer in at #32 and radio DJ, Jeremy Mansfield, at #53.

The first documentary to be broadcast on Sunday 3 October at 18:00 is a profile of legendary golfer Gary Player. At the end of the broadcast voting positions for the Top nine will be revealed.

Great South Africans is produced by Videovision Entertainment for SABC 3 and sponsored by South African Breweries.

The Top 100 Great South Africans (as voted for by the South African public):

1. Nelson Mandela - indisputably the Greatest South Afrian of all time.

Nominees 2 to 10 in alphabetical order:

2. Dr Christiaan Barnard
3. F W De Klerk
4. Mahatma Ghandi
5. Nkosi Johnson
6. Winnie Madikizela Mandela
7. Thabo Mbeki
8. Gary Player
9. Jan Smuts
10. Archbishop Desmond Tutu

No's 11 to 100:

11. Hansie Cronje
12. Charlize Theron
13. Steve Biko
14. Shaka Zulu
15. Mangosuthu Buthelezi
16. Tony Leon
17. Brenda Fassie
18. Mark Shuttleworth
19. Hendrik Verwoerd
20. Chris Hani
21. Zola
22. Patricia de Lille
23. Johnny Clegg
24. Helen Suzman
25. Eugene Terreblanche
26. Pieter Dirk Uys (Evita Bezuidenhout)
27. Paul Kruger
28. Dr Anton Rupert
29. Jonty Rhodes
30. Leon Schuster
31. Oliver Tambo
32. Steve Hofmeyer
33. Walter Sisulu
34. Cyril Ramaphosa
35. JRR Tolkien
36. Beyers Naude
37. Ernie Els
38. Miriam Makeba
39. Patrice Motsepe
40. Trevor Manuel
41. Albert Luthuli
42. Robert Sobukwe
43. Tokyo Sexwale
44. Danny Jordaan
45. Fatima Meer
46. Ahmed Kathrada
47. Joe Slovo
48. Natalie du Toit
49. Jomo Sono
50. Francois Pienaar
51. John Kani
52. Penny Heyns
53. Jeremy Mansfield
54. Lucas Radebe
55. Mamphela Ramphele
56. Cecil John Rhodes
57. Albertina Sisulu
58. Aggrey Klaaste
59. Alan Paton
60. Harry Oppenheimer
61. Zackie Achmat
62. Dr Khumalo
63. Jan van Riebeeck
64. Bruce Fordyce
65. Enoch Sontonga
66. Zola Budd
67. Sol Plaatje
68. Dr Danie Craven
69. Alan Boesak
70. Felicia Mabuza-Suttle
71. Yvonne Chaka Chaka
72. Baby Jakes Matlala
73. Kaizer Motaung
74. Basetsana Khumalo
75. Antjie Krog
76. Dullah Omar
77. Mandoza
78. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma
79. Raymond Ackerman
80. Nadine Gordimer
81. D F Malan
82. F van Zyl Slabbert
83. General JBM Hertzog
84. Papwa Sewgolum
85. Hector Petersen
86. William Smith
87. P W Botha
88. Hugh Masekela
89. Bulelani Ngcuka
90. Jody Scheckter
91. George Bizos
92. Mbongeni Ngema
93. PJ Powers
94. Mimi Coertse
95. Mrs Ples
96. Abdullah Ibrahim
97. Govan Mbeki
98. Jamie Uys
99. JH Pierneef
100. Athol Fugard
 
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Oldman
Mrs Ples-
She Rocks! Posted on 28 Sep 2004 16:15
Charlize Theron and Gary Player ahead of Steve Biko???!!!?!-
We all like Charlize, but really - what a sad reflection of how we conceive greatness.... Posted on 28 Sep 2004 21:11
Mel
Lager lout and bad shoes-
Let's all repeat the title of this prestigious event together for those who didn't understand...GREATEST South Africans of ALL TIME. By voting Steve Hofmeyer and Jeremy Mansfield into the top 100 is an insult to those who are, and were, truly exceptional South Africans who made a significant contribution to their country. Completely nonsensical. Oh wait, I forgot we are living amongst a population who regard Leon Schuster's films which, I believe, grossed more money than any other film ever in this country, as cinematic genius. No accounting for taste. Ranty rant. Posted on 29 Sep 2004 09:56
Mahaeya
Why PW-
I applaud FW's inclusion into the Top 10.His love for SA can never be challenged.However, it pains me to see names like PW and Verwoerd on the list.Makes you wonder what the true meaning of 'Greatest' is. Posted on 29 Sep 2004 11:11
The Dude
Voetsek Verwoerd!-
There's gotta be something wrong when clowns like Verwoerd and Steve Dofmeyr make it into a list like this - and so highly placed! Yuk. Perhaps the demographic is skewed owing to the method of data collection - only those with Internet access or the cash to spend on an SMS or phone call can vote. But then, I guess it can be argued that if this were the case, convicts like Winnie should have no place in the top ten! At least some of the good folks on that list truly are great South Africans in the proper sense - and not INfamous individuals..... Posted on 29 Sep 2004 10:54
aussiejoe08
Verwoerd 30 years ahead of his time-
Verwoerd the creator of Homelands was ridiculed and ostracised by the international community. Segregation! They shouted. Hey whats happened in the USSR` and Yuguslavia. Are those not homelands based on ethnicity? Get real Dude! Posted on 29 Sep 2004 14:38
Free Speech for the Dumb
Voting was fair and equal-
Dude, according to numerous sites on the internet, South Africa has more than 13 million GSM users. That is about 30% of the population, about 50% if you discount children younger than 10.
Therefore, half the population could easily have voted if they wanted to. People who don't own cellphones could use Telkom's landlines, or even the free Internet services provided at Post Offices.
The vote is therefore probably quite accurate and fairly distributed over the population.
I am also amazed at some people reaching the list, Winnie Mandela for example, but that is what the vote says. Posted on 3 Oct 2004 13:26
Cough Cough
Voting was fair and equal?-
If voting was so "fair" and "equal" as you say, then why is it monsters like Verwoed and DF Milan were on this list? They were people who stood against everything the new South Africa, and I think we as a nation have a long way to go if people have the gall to glorify these gouls from our past. Posted on 27 Oct 2004 12:50
WAKEY-
You don't know wath you are talking about Sir. That 30 percent of people who have eccess to the internet are majority white so really now is it fair? and with the landline thing, how many people do you think can afford it. WAKE UP BUDDY. Posted on 27 Feb 2006 23:49
CarolW
What was the Criteria - if any?-
Cummon, let's get serious! Large financial resource is being ploughed into this yet one cannot help wondering whether any ground work was done. Was there any real criteria in selecting the Greatest South Africans OF ALL TIME? It is an insult to our country's Greatest to have the likes of Verwoerd, Schuster and Fassie, to name but a few, on this list.

It's time to go back to the drawing board chaps!! Posted on 29 Sep 2004 11:43
aussiejoe
LAPSING MEMORIES IN SA-
It pisses me off when dickhead like Eugene Terreblanche get listed but not a mention of Lawrence Gandar, former Editor of the now defunct Rand Daily Mail. I worked on that newspaper and he was the first Editor who had the guts to tackle the Nats head-on at his own peril.We were shot at abused but Gandar stood form as did people like Gordon Saunderson, Margeret Smith and Jill Chisholm. Remember the Cinderella Jail exposures and the humiliation of Percy Yatar. Gandar should have been on the list. t saddens me to note that the present day Government too has forgotten the likes of Gandar and Helen Suzman and the Black Sash ladies. Hey those were exciting days. No drugs, low level crime and no squatter camps.! Posted on 29 Sep 2004 14:44
the machine gun
what the F**K!!!!!-
I must admit that i am quite shocked and disgusted at the results of the 100 greatest South Africans. As liberated individuals, should we glorify those people in our tainted history that have oppressed our nation for 40 years? People such as Hendrik Verwoerd, Gen Hertzog, DF Malan and Mr Terblanche are a disgrace to SA and everything that we we as free South Africans stand for. Further, the fact that these people feature above truly great South Africans such as Steve Biko, Oliver Tambo, Govan Mbeki and the likes suggests to me that a large proportion of the voters are still disillusioned about the current state of our county. We are living in a free, democratic and colour-blind society, and ppl representing the legacy of apartheid surely should not be elevated to "greatness" Posted on 1 Oct 2004 11:59
Democracy-
Maybe this will show people that South Africa is a truly diverse country. A lot of people think differently than you do.
You can't enforce your point of view on what constitutes 'greatness' onto other people.
Free voting is free voting, everyone has their say and if they decide that HF Verwoerd is 35th greatest, so be it. Posted on 3 Oct 2004 13:36
Gremlin
Yoo hoo! Go South Africa! -
I'm happy the likes of PW Botha made it into the list, and hope Verwoed gets into the top 10. That's the f*cking rainbow nation 4 u! Posted on 9 Oct 2004 09:42
royal_falcon
relfection of South Africa's direction-
I guess the compiled list is a reflection of how the poor is excluded from any "voting" process regarding who should be on the list. Telephones and internet to cast votes --hhhmmm..I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry at this list. Shame on us Posted on 9 Oct 2004 12:41
Abora
Are you kidding me!?!?!?!?!?-
Zola (Gangsta Rapper), Patricia de Lille (Littlest Politician), Mandoza (Highjacker) - these IDIOTS only came on the scene a few years ago, its a damn popularity contest. Why hasn't anybody thought of the late Bles Bridges?? What makes Mandela so GREAT????, all according to popularity, all you stupid fools dont know the meaning of greatness. To be totally frank, there aren't 100 great South Africans, possibly only a hand full of truly "GREAT" South Africans so they have to fill the void with all these totally incompetant IDIOTS!!!!!! Winnie Mandela!!!!, WTF
This is a complete JOKE to our society, just like our minister's and politicians - I hope this blows up in your face!!!!!!
I will be laughing!!! Posted on 12 Oct 2004 08:05
???????????????
what does it mean?-
People should understand what the real meaning of GREAT and SOUTH AFRICAN mean. For people like Terblanche to make it so high up on the list means people who voted either don't know what great means or they sre GREAT idiots. Posted on 20 Oct 2004 09:28
Lynx
10 years of what....freedom.....????-
After reading all the hoo-ha made about "the list" i really have to consider whether maybe we are all just looking for something to get worked up about...I'm mean really...are any of our lifestyles going to change dramatically because of what is printed on a list??? Admitedly though I to have major gripes with the list...Winnie....possible Winnie the pooh...I think he is a greater person...Steve Hofmeyer...I'm still look for the greatness there...Jeremy Mansfield...great Ass maybe...Boesak....I mean who are we kidding...possibly though we don't have 100 great South Africans so we have to fill this list with the first names we could think of that come to mind which in itself is a job for some and then we all need to fight about where our own personal favorite should be.
Perhaps before we get ourselves two worked up about this we should consider two facts...One: the idea of greatest do not neccesarily be good or favorite....and the ppl that I feel are great will differ from who my neighbour thinks is great...these differences will also be there based on racial lines, religious line, gender lines, generation gaps etc....deal with it.
Two: since for the major part of this country's history it has been white governed it has given the "white" population a greater opportunity/chance to excel/achieve and be recognised for it. it has one been over the last 10 years that the playing fields have been levelled so we have to expect a large amount of "white" ppl on the list.....
Though if that thought is to much for your mind to handle all in one go why don't we just have a "greatest white south africans" list and a "greatest black south africans list" and put each other out of misery. Posted on 20 Oct 2004 15:22
Bles Bridges
Bles Bridges sholu be in here-
Bles Bridges should be in here!! He's was a South African music legend. He sold more alnums than any other South African...he left a legacy behind...and since his death his music has become a collectors items! He's a true legend who had such an impact on the music industry. All his albums either went gold or platinum. He achieved so much for a South African artist. He should be recognised as one of the greatest South Africans of all time.
His voice will never be still Posted on 28 Jan 2005 14:53
Sharl
Bles should be here-
How could anybody forget the impact Bles Bridges made on the South African music industry! He's a true legend. Simply one of the greatest South African artists ever! He would have been a superstar in any country. His music has become collectors items. His voice will never be still. His music will live on forever. Posted on 28 Jan 2005 15:01
gugu
what-
I think this was not very fair because only those who have access phones and computers had a say. If even the rural communities could vote polls would change. Some of the greatest souls Goven Mbeki, who was an extremely important part of the struggle gets beaten by an actress.
It was not fair and it is causing quite an upset. Atlist if there would be small forms to be filled in by the rural community things would be better. And they too are a part of this country. So Anant Sir think of another way.
As far as Jan Smuts a being great, i and hundreds of other people think otherwise. He caused too much pain and I know the white community wants him there but you have to face facts and how many black people do you think voted for him, and they are the majority in the country and the ones who don't really have access to phones. So I am deeply wounded by this, placing cannibals as great poeple. And I know you will say that the concept is greatness not goodness but goodness is part of that and nation building not separating.
please think twice Posted on 14 Apr 2005 15:55
PILOT
Jan Smuts was an idiot in his last years but was a great man !-
"He led commandos in the Second Boer War for the Transvaal. During the First World War, he led the armies of South Africa against Germany, capturing German South-West Africa and commanding the British Army in East Africa. From 1917 to 1919, he was also one of five members of the British War Cabinet, helping to create the Royal Air Force. He became a field marshal in the British Army in 1941, and served in the Imperial War Cabinet under Winston Churchill. He was the only person to sign the peace treaties ending both the First and Second World Wars." Posted on 1 Apr 2011 11:52
Archisman
A spelling typo-
As an Indian it was heartening to see Mahatma Gandhi's name in the top 10 list. He also happens to be the 'Father Of The Nation' of India.

It would be nice if the spelling of his surname be rectified to GANDHI.

His actual name is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The word 'Mahatma' means 'the great soul' in India.

Regards. Posted on 8 Nov 2005 19:40
felicia die bees
felicia-
how the effen hell dis felicia "die bees " dit gemaak?nee fok, haar hele fokken arrogant gat man! Posted on 6 Dec 2005 17:33
Mkhuleko Hlengwa
NOT A TRUE REFLECTION-
The top 100 in general is seriously not a true reflection of our current standing as a country and in fact it does not endorse where we come from or where we are possibly headed! Posted on 16 Feb 2006 21:47
Where is SOMIZI????-
Oh please people Somizi Mhlongo is one of South Africa's GREATEST!!! Posted on 21 Oct 2007 10:46
LeDiva
SOMIZI WHERE ARE YOU???-
This is an untrue reflection of South Africa's greatest! Where is Somizi Mhlongo featured. He has revolutionised the way our Nation views Gay people. He has bought fun and spunk to an otherwise very hush subject. I take my hat off to you Somizi and to us Gay people you will always be a hero. Keep having fun and keep inspiring us to live a fabulous life. Oh and send my regards to Madame GiGi. Posted on 21 Oct 2007 10:53
ProRSA
IT WAS FAIR!-
VOTE ProRSA FOR PRESIDENT:
Democracy is all about reflecting the opinions of the the majority who are involved in it. E.g. If the majority all love Mandela, but don’t vote, and the minority that hate him, go and vote, the results will truly represent the desires of those who were involved in that democratic voting process. As usual we always swing to race. I don’t blame us. The majority of us, in 2008, have spent most of our lives under racial oppression. SO: If you say most blacks couldn't vote because of lack of access to internet or sms or telephone lines, then I'd Agree with you. BUT I strongly believe that there are more Black South Africans that COULD have voted! But didn’t. Out of 45 million South Africans: There are 79% black people in South Africa. If a mere 13% of this 79% had taken the time to load airtime, walk to the nearest public phone or into an internet café to vote, they would have outvoted all the whites in South Africa, PUT TOGETHER, by about half a million! This fact would still stay true even if every single white person in the country was secretly given free airtime to vote! This vote was a true reflection of what those who who were involved in this democratic process wanted. So it’s valid. What’s invalid is the censoring, cancellation and changing of the results to show what the Majority, who didn't vote, wanted. Think about that... P.S. I could have voted, but I didn’t because I thought Mandela would surely win the number one spot and I thought that a Majority of South Africans would agree with me. I never dreamt that Jan Smuts would even be near that list! I was so wrong. See what happens when you sit on your ass? To quote a friends opinion on South Africans and their involvement with their government. ‘”Democracy does not run on auto pilot, YOU RUN IT!” Posted on 22 Jan 2008 17:30
Brian Gilbertson-
What sort of list does not include the man who put SA business on the map. The man who single handedly changed the face of mining in SA and internationally, created the world's largest mining company, listed the first SA and first Indian mining companies on the LSE, both in the FTSE 100... Posted on 9 Jun 2008 13:30
No Name Brand
Winnie?-
You have to be joking? The necklace queen Posted on 13 May 2009 14:43
Sifisu
Tsafendas-
Why are Tsafendas not ther fore kiling Verwoerd Posted on 4 Aug 2009 13:53
Ndabenhle Mabhena
King Shaka-
I am very surprised that king Shaka is not the greatest South African of all time as he shaped South Africa , Lesotho ,Swaziland ,Zambia , Malawi , Mozambique and Zimbawe with his influence through Mfecane.In the process he unleashed great leaders like Mzilikazi , Soshangane , Zwangendaba , Ngwane for example. Posted on 4 May 2010 15:42
PILOT
THIS LIST IS A JOKE !-
Mahatma Gandhi ISN'T SOUTH AFRICAN !
Nkosi Johnson at nr 5 seriously !
Hansie Cronje who betrayed an entire nation.
Tony Leon at 16. Really !
Hendrik Verwoerd top 20. What the F...
Patricia de Lille, Steve Hofmeyr, Jeremy Mansfield, Albertina Sisulu - lets just put every one on the list that didint like apartheid !

NOT ON THE LIST
JM Coetzee nobel literature, Aaron Klug for chemistry and 3 more for medicine !

This list is BULL! Posted on 1 Apr 2011 11:42
Tazz
Respect the leaders-
i for one think that everyone that posted bad comments are crazy... because Nelson Mandela was and still is the best person you can ever come across.
and think about it if it weren't for him you guyz wouldn't even been able to own a computer or laptop to comment on things.
so think before you say something stuipd Posted on 6 May 2011 11:16
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