So City Press recently brought out a list of 100 World Class South Africans. I don’t necessarily agree with all their choices, there are some people I would have left off and others I would have put on. However, it is a fascinating list.
Heading the list are our “National Treasures”, Nelson Mandela, Gary Player, Hugh Masekela, Nadine Gordimer, JM Coetzee, Charlize Theron, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Desmond Tutu, Natalie du Toit, Mark Shuttleworth, Athol Fugard and John Kani. I notice Oscar Pistorius didn’t make it to this list, nor to the Newsmakers list. 🙂
Ground breakers and thought leaders are William Kentridge, Herman Mashaba, Marlon Parker, Lauren Beukes, Robbie Brozin, Wally Serote, Ludwick Marishane, Gregor Jenkin, Mokena Makeka, Danie Krige, Nkhensani Nkosi, Patrick Soon-Shiong, Gordon Murray, Kirsten Goss, Salim and Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Seymour Papert, Colin Cowie, Nicholas Hlobo Teboho Mahlatsi and Albertus Swanepoel. I have a friend in this section – Hi Nicholas!
Heroes and Mavericks are Navi Pillay, Jonathan Jansen, Sol Kerzner, Peter Magubane, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Zapiro, Sibusiso Vilane, Lara Logan, Kumi Naidoo, ‘Baby Jake’ Matlala, Zackie Achmat, John Varty, Richard Goldstone, Imtiaz Sooliman, Mamphela Ramphele, Ram Barkai, Thulani Madondo, Zanele Muholi, Ryan Sandes, Josiah Thugwane.
Changemakers and crusaders are Trevor Manuel, Kingsley Holgate, Jill Farrant, Nolo Letele, Ravi Naidoo, Johnny Clegg, Caster Semenya, Shaun Tomson, Sydney Brenner, Himla Soodyall, Cyril Ramaphosa, Mphethi Morojele, Jodi Bieber, Danny Jordaan, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Craig and Damon Foster, Shabir Madhi, Thabo Mbeki, Tim Noakes, Olive Shisane.
Newsmakers and Shapeshifters are Lira, Ernie Els, Spoek Mathambo, Yael Farber, Andile Ndlovu, François Pienaar, Zakes Mda, Sibongile Khumalo, Lucas Radebe, Deon Meyer, David Kramer, Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbulu, Neill Blomkamp, Vusi Mahlasela, Pretty Yende, Abdullah Imbrahim, Trevor Noah, Candice Swanepoel, Jacques Kallis and Handspring Puppet Company.
Pioneers and Originals are Patrice Motsepe, Gavin Hood, Elon Musk, Leleti Khumalo, Die Antwoord, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Pieter-Dirk Uys, Richard Maponya, Patience Mthunzi and Johann Rupert.
My congratulations to each and every one of these people for the people they are, the work that they do and the inspiration they are to the rest of us.
What I do, see, hear, eat and drink. 
how does one nominate a candidate for this list?…im mean there a lot of unsung pioneers who have contributed immensely on to the South African arts who l feel should be part of this list!
Hi Given, as I said in my article, this is not the exact list I would have chosen myself. It is however an interesting one. Of course there are a lot of people who have contributed immensely to South African arts and culture. Perhaps you could suggest to City Press that they do a list of 100 performing artists and 100 visual artists and 100 entrepreneurs etc.