Famous South Africans in History

1761-02-01 Christian Hendrik Persoon, South African mycologist (d. 1836)

1797-07-10 Piet [Petrus Lafras] Uys, South African pioneer (Great Pull), born in Potberg, Swellendam, South Africa (d. 1838)

1817-01-08 Sir Theophilus Shepstone, South African statesman, born in England, United Kingdom (d. 1893)

1825-10-10 Paul Kruger, 3rd President of South African Republic (1883-1900) and face of Boer resistance during the Second Boer War, born in Steynsburg, Cape Colony (d. 1904)

1831-01-20 Piet Joubert, South African general and vice-president, born in Prince Albert, British Cape Colony (d. 1900)

1838-02-16 Arnoldus Pannevis, Dutch-born South African linguist (tried to get Afrikaans recognized as separate language), born in Ouderkerk aan den IJssel, Netherlands (d. 1884)

1847-10-09 Stephanus Jacobus du Toit, South African theologist and journalist (Afrikaner Bond), born in Paarl, South Africa (d. 1911)

1847-10-22 Koos de la Rey, Boer leader and general in the South African War (1899–1902), born in Winburg, Orange River Sovereignty, British Empire (d. 1914)

1854-10-07 Christiaan R de Wet, South African rebel leader, politician and general in the Boer War, born in Smithfield, Orange Free State (d. 1922)

1855-03-24 Olive Schreiner, South African writer (Portrait of a South African Woman), born in Wittebergen, Eastern Cape (d. 1920)

1856-07-15 Owen Dunell, South African cricket batsman (South Africa's 1st Test captain; 2 Tests), born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa (d. 1929)

1857-10-02 Marthinus Theunis Steyn, South African politician and President of Orange-Free state (1896-1902), born in Winburg, Orange Free State (d. 1916)

1859-05-01 Willem Johannes Leyds, Dutch-South Africa lawyer and diplomat (State Secretary of the South African Republic), born in Magelang, Dutch East Indies (d. 1940)

1864-09-07 Ernest Halliwell, South African cricket wicketkeeper (8 Tests), born in Ealing, England (d. 1919)

1865-08-04 Gus Kempis, South African cricketer (South Africa's 1st Test), born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa (d. 1890)

1865-08-20 Bernard Tancred, South African cricket batsman (2 Tests; Northern Cape), born in Port Elizabeth, Cape Province (d. 1911)

1865-09-30 Bonnor Middleton, South African cricket fast bowler (6 Tests, 24 wickets; Western Province), born in Chester-le-Street, Co Durham, England (d. 1913)

1866-04-03 J. B. M. Hertzog [Barry Hertzog], South African General and Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa (1924-39), born in Wellington, South Africa (d. 1942)

1868-04-05 Flooi Du Toit, South African cricketer (one Test South Africa 1892), born in Jacobsdal, Orange Free State (d. 1909)

1870-03-11 Arthur E Ochse, South African cricket batsman (2 Tests; Transvaal), born in Graaff-Reinet, South Africa (d. 1918)

1870-06-24 Horatio Mbelle, South African interpreter, community leader and politician, born in Burgersdorp, Cape Colony (d. 1947)

1874-04-26 Biddy Anderson, South African cricket batsman (1 Test as captain; Western Province) and rugby union centre (3 Tests), born in Kimberley, South Africa (d. 1926)

1874-11-07 Joseph Willoughby, South African cricketer (2 Tests for South Africa 1895-96), born in Aldershot, Hampshire, England (d. 1952)

1876-04-09 George Shepstone, South African cricket batsman (2 Tests; Transvaal), born in Pietermaritzberg, Natal, South Africa (d. 1940)

1876-04-14 Murray Bisset, South African cricket wicket-keeper and captain (3 Tests, 3 dismissals; Western Province), born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa (d. 1931)

1876-09-26 Charlie Llewellyn, South African cricketer (South African lefty all-rounder 1896-1912), born in Pietermaritzberg, Natal (d. 1964)

1876-10-07 Louis Tancred, South African cricket batsman (14 Tests, 2 x 50; Transvaal), born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa (d. 1934)

1876-11-28 Bert Vogler, South African cricket all-rounder (15 Tests, 64 wickets, BB 7/94, 2 x 50; Natal, Transvaal; MCC), born in Swartwater, South Africa (d. 1946)

1877-02-21 Totius [Jacob D. du Toit], South African poet and theologist, born in Paarl, Cape Colony (d. 1953)

1878-04-07 Maitland Hathorn, South African cricketer (12 tests 1901-11), born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (d. 1920)

1879-01-25 Dave Nourse, South African cricket all-rounder (45 Tests, 1 x 100, 41 wickets; Natal, Transvaal, Western Province), born in South Norwood, England (d. 1948)

1879-08-07 Johannes Kotze, South African cricket fast bowler (3 Tests, 6 wickets, BB 3/64; London County, Transvaal, Western Province), born in Cape Town, South Africa (d. 1931)

1880-08-17 Percy Sherwell, South African cricket wicketkeeper and captain (13 Tests, 1 x 100, 36 dismissals; Transvaal), born in Isipingo, South Africa (d. 1948)

1880-12-28 Christian Frederik Leipoldt, South African physician, writer and poet, born in Worcester, South Africa (d. 1947)

1881-02-01 Tip Snooke, South African cricket all-rounder and captain (26 Tests, 35 wickets), born in St Mark's, Eastern Cape, South Africa (d. 1966)

1881-04-23 Claude Carter, South African cricket spin bowler (19 Tests, 28 wickets, BB 6/50; Natal, Transvaal), born in Durban, South Africa (d. 1952)

1881-12-17 Aubrey Faulkner, South African cricket all-rounder (25 Tests, 4 x 100s, TS 204; Transvaal), born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa (d. 1930)

1882-02-09 Tom Campbell, South African cricket wicket-keeper (5 Tests, 8 dismissals), born in Edinburgh, Scotland (d. 1924)

1883-02-21 Mick Commaille, South African cricketer and soccer rep, born in Cape Town, South Africa (d. 1956)

1884-02-04 Rolland Beaumont, South African cricket batsman (5 Tests; Transvaal), born in Newcastle, Natal, South Africa (d. 1958)

1884-10-10 Ormy Pearse, South African cricketer (3 Tests for South Africa in Australia 1910-11), born in Pietermaritzberg, Natal (d. 1953)

1886-06-28 Joe Cox, South African cricket fast medium bowler (3 Tests; Natal), born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (d. 1971)

1886-08-13 Jacobus Hendrik Pierneef, South African painter, born in Pretoria, South Africa (d. 1957)

1887-01-09 Dan Taylor, South African cricket batsman (2 Tests, HS 36; Natal), born in Durban, South Africa (d. 1957)

1887-02-11 John van Melle, South African writer (Bart Nel), born in Goes, Netherlands (d. 1953)

1887-08-02 Tommy Ward, South African cricket wicket-keeper (23 Tests, 32 dismissals, 2 x 50; Transvaal), born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan (d. 1936)

1888-03-27 George Hearne, South African cricket batsman (3 Tests; Western Province), born in Catford, England (d. 1978)

1888-07-28 Sidney Pegler, South African cricket leg spinner (16 Tests), (d. 1972)

1889-03-16 Reggie Walker, South African athlete (Olympic gold 100m 1908), born in Durban, South Africa (d. 1951)

1889-05-05 Herbie Taylor, South African cricket batsman and captain (42 Tests; 2,936 runs @ 40.77; 7 x 100s), born in Durban, South Africa (d. 1973)

1889-06-20 John S. Paraskevopoulos, Greek-South African astronomer, born in Piraeus, Greece (d. 1951)

1889-09-03 Cecil Weston, South African actress (Dude Ranch, Huckleberry Finn), born in Capetown (d. 1976)

1890-03-18 Philip Hands, South African cricket batsman (7 Tests, 2 x 50, HS 83; Western Province), born in Cape Town, South Africa (d. 1951)

1890-06-30 Horace Chapman, South African cricket all-rounder (2 Tests, 1 wicket; Natal), born in Durban, Natal (d. 1941)

1890-08-22 Cecil Kellaway, South African-American stage and screen character actor (Guess Who's Coming to Dinner; The Luck of the Irish), born in Cape Town, Cape Colony (now South Africa) (d. 1973)

1891-02-12 Cec Dixon, South African cricket fast-medium bowler (1 Test; 3 wickets; Transvaal), born in Potchefstroom, South Africa (d. 1969)

1892-06-13 Basil Rathbone, South African born British actor (Sherlock Holmes), born in Johannesburg, South Africa (d. 1967)

1893-07-14 John G. Strijdom, South African politician and nationalist, Prime Minister of South-Africa (1954-58), born in Willowmore, Cape Colony (d. 1958)

1893-09-02 Alfred Cooper, South African cricket batsman (1 Test; Transvaal), born in Johannesburg, South Africa (d. 1963)

1893-12-31 Jimmy Blanckenberg, South African cricket medium pace bowler (18 Tests, 60 wickets; Western Province), born in Cape Town, South Africa (d. 1955)

1894-08-23 James La Guma, South African political activist and trade unionist, born in Cape Town (d. 1961)

1894-10-05 Bevil Rudd, South African athlete (Olympic gold 400m 1920), born in Kimberley, South Africa (d. 1948)

1894-12-05 C. R. Swart, South African politician (1st State President of South Africa 1961-67), born in Winburg, Orange Free State (d. 1982)

1895-07-04 Eric Marx, South African cricket all-rounder (3 Tests, 3 wickets; 240 on FC debut for Transvaal), born in Johannesburg, South Africa (d. 1974)

1895-07-21 H G "Nummy" Deane, South African cricket batsman (17 Tests [12 as captain], 3 x 50; Natal, Transvaal), born in Eshowe, South Africa (d. 1939)

1896-01-23 Alf Hall, South African cricket fast bowler (7 Tests, 40 wickets), born in Bolton, Lancashire, England (d. 1964)

1896-07-04 Adolph Hallis, South African concert pianist, classical and film score composer, and teacher, born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa (d. 1987)

1897-05-10 Dalton Conyngham, South African cricket medium-pace bowler (1 Test, 2 wickets; Natal, Transvaal, Western Province), born in Durban, South Africa (d. 1979)

1897-05-11 Boerneef [pen name for Izak Wilhelmus van der Merwe], South African writer (Tweetalige Woordeboek), born in Ceres, Cape Colony (d. 1967)

1897-06-20 Cyril Francois, South African cricket all-rounder (5 Tests, 252 runs, 6 wickets), born in Lewisham, England (d. 1944)

1897-12-16 Jacobus Petrus Duminy, South African cricket batsman (3 Tests; Western Province, Transvaal, Oxford University CC) and academic (principal & vice-chancellor University of Cape Town), born in Cape Town, South Africa (d. 1980)

1898-01-07 Al Bowlly, South African-British dance band vocalist ("Midnight, The Stars, And You"), and bandleader, born in Lourenço Marques, Portuguese Mozambique (now Maputo, Mozambique) (d. 1941)

1899-01-30 Max Theiler, South African-American virologist who developed vaccine for Yellow Fever (Nobel Prize 1951), born in Pretoria (d. 1972)

1899-04-04 William Brann, South African cricketer (South African batsman v England 1922-23), born in Port Elizabeth, Cape Province (d. 1953)

1899-09-29 Billy Butlin, South African-British holiday camp promoter (Butlins), born in Cape Town, Cape Colony (d. 1980)

1899-10-10 Brian Norton, South African tennis player (Wimbledon 1921 runner-up), born in Robben Island, South Africa (d. 1956)

1899-10-11 Arthur L Ochse, South African cricket fast bowler (3 Tests, 10 wickets, BB 4–79; Eastern Province), born in Graaff-Reinet, South Africa (d. 1949)

1900-06-13 Ian Hunter, South African character actor (Dr. Blood's Coffin; White Unicorn), born in Capetown, South Africa (d. 1975)

1900-06-25 I. D. du Plessis, South African writer and director (3rd World), born in Cape Town, South Africa (d. 1981)

1900-07-10 Bob Catterall, South African cricket batsman (24 Tests, 3 x 100s, HS 120; Transvaal, Natal), born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa (d. 1961)

1901-06-22 Willem Jacobus du Plooy Erlank (Eitemal), South African poet and professor in Afrikaans and Dutch literature at the University of Stellenbosch, born in Wolmaransstad, Transvaal (d. 1984)

1901-09-08 Hendrik Verwoerd, South African Prime Minister (1958-66) who was assassinated in 1966, born in Amsterdam, Netherlands (d. 1966)

1901-10-02 Roy Campbell, South African poet (Flowering Rifle), born in Durban, South Africa (d. 1957)

1902-01-01 Buster Nupen, South African cricket all-rounder (17 Tests, 50 wickets; one eye only), born near Alesund, Norway (d. 1977)

1902-10-14 Shunter Coen, South African cricket batsman (2 Tests, HS 41no, @ 50.50; Orange Free State), born in Heilbron, South Africa (d. 1967)

1903-01-11 Alan Paton, South African author (Cry, the Beloved Country, Too Late the Phalarope) and anti-apartheid activist, born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (d. 1988)

1903-02-03 (Ivy) Priaulx Rainier, South African-British composer (Ploërmel), born in Howick, British Colony of Natali (now South Africa) (d. 1986)

1903-11-09 Edward van der Merwe, South African cricket wicket-keeper (2 Tests in 30's), born in Rustenburg, Transvaal (d. 1971)

1903-11-22 Herbert Sally Frankel, South African born economist (d. 1996)

1903-12-10 William Plomer, South African-British author (Paper Houses, I Speak of Africa), born in Transvaal, South Africa (d. 1973)

1904-01-04 Erik Chisholm, Scottish conductor, composer (Hindustani Piano Concerto), and educator (South African College of Music, 1949-65), born in Glasgow, Scotland (d. 1965)

1904-06-23 Quintin McMillan, South African cricket spin bowler (13 Tests, 36 wickets; Transvaal), born in Germiston, Transvaal, South Africa (d. 1948)

1904-11-03 Gideon Fagan, South African conductor and composer, born in Somerset West, Cape Province (d. 1980)

1904-12-12 Jim Christy, South African cricket batsman (10 Tests; top score 103 1932; Transvaal, Queensland), born in Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa (d. 1971)

1905-03-27 John Fleming (Jack) Brock, South African nutritional scientist, physician and a professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Cape Town, born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa (d. 1983)

1905-04-08 Helen Joseph, South African anti-apartheid activist and writer (Side by Side), born in Easebourne, England (d. 1992)

1905-07-05 Jock "Herbie" Cameron, South African cricket wicketkeeper and captain (26 Tests; 51 dismissals, 10 x 50; Eastern Province, Transvaal, Western Province), born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa (d. 1935)

1905-09-14 Herby Wade, South African cricket batsman and captain (10 Tests, 327 runs; Natal), born in Durban, South Africa (d. 1980)

1905-11-05 George Bissett, South African cricketer (successful South African quick in 1927-28), born in Kimberley, Cape Province, South Africa (d. 1965)

1905-11-11 Israel Aaron Maisels, South African lawyer and communal leader, born in Johannesburg, South Africa (d. 1994)

1906-01-06 Benedict Vilakazi, South African Zulu poet and educator (Zulu-English Dictionary), born in KwaDukuza, Natal (d. 1947)

1906-04-15 Sandy Bell, South African cricket fast bowler (16 Tests, 48 wickets, BB 6/99; Western Province, Rhodesia), born in East London, South Africa (d. 1985)

1906-12-02 Eric Dalton, South African cricket batsman (15 Tests, top score 117), born in Durban, Natal, South Africa (d. 1981)

1906-12-13 Laurens Jan van der Post, South African-born writer, soldier, explorer and conservationist, born in Philippolis (d. 1996)

1907-10-21 Pieter Van der Bijl, South African cricket batsman (5 Tests, 1 x 100, HS 125; Western Province, Oxford University CC), born in Cape Town, South Africa (d. 1973)

1907-12-16 Syd Curnow, South African cricket batsman (7 Tests, HS 47; Transvaal), born in Benoni, South Africa (d. 1986)

1908-02-21 Neville Quinn, South African cricket fast bowler (12 Tests, 35 wickets), born in Tweefontein, South Africa (d. 1934)

1908-07-02 Jean Sinclair, South African campaigner, founder member and first president of the Black Sash in 1955, born in Germiston, South Africa (d. 1996)

1908-09-08 Johnny Lindsay, South African cricket wicketkeeper (3 Tests, 5 dismissals; North Eastern Transvaal), born in Barkly East, South Africa (d. 1990)

1909-01-08 Bruce Mitchell, South African cricket opening batsman (42 Tests), born in Johannesburg, South Africa (d. 1995)

1909-04-05 Gerald Bond, South African cricketer (one Test South Africa v England 1938, 0 & 0-16), born in Cape Town (d. 1965)

1909-05-27 Isador Goodman, South African-Australian pianist and composer (New Guinea Fantasy), born in Cape Town, South Africa (d. 1982)

1909-07-20 Eric Rowan, South African cricket batsman (26 Tests, 3 x 100, HS 236; Transvaal, Eastern Province), born in Johannesburg, South Africa (d. 1993)

1909-08-24 Ronnie Grieveson, South African cricket wicket-keeper/batsman (2 Tests v Eng 1939), born in Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa (d. 1998)

1909-08-26 Eric Davies, South African cricket fast bowler (5 Tests, 7 wickets; East Province, Transvaal), born in King William's Town, South Africa (d. 1976)

1909-11-22 Moses Josiah Madiba, South African author and first African chancellor of the University of the North, born in Seshego, Pietersburg District (d. 1985)

1910-02-04 Uys Krige, South African playwright and novelist (Orphan of the Desert), born in Bontebokskloof, Cape Province (d. 1987)

1910-05-14 Ken Viljoen, South African cricket batsman (27 Tests, 2 x 100, HS 124; Griqualand West, Orange Free State, Transvaal), born in Windsorton, South Africa (d. 1974)

1910-05-19 Alan Melville, South African cricket batsman (11 Tests, 4 x 100, HS 189; Natal, Oxford University CC, Sussex CCC, Transvaal), born in Carnarvon, South Africa (d. 1983)

1910-07-08 Govan Mbeki, South African leader (Head of the ANC, imprisoned with Mandela, father of Thabo Mbeki), born in Nqamakwe district, Transkei (d. 2001)

1910-10-15 Xenophon Balaskas, South African cricket all-rounder (9 Tests, 22 wickets, BB 5/49, 1 x 100, HS 122no; North Cape, Western Province, Transvaal), born in Kimberley, Cape Province (d. 1994)

1910-11-12 lDudley Nourse, South African cricket batsman and captain (34 Tests, 9 x 100s, HS 231; Nata), born in Durban, South Africa (d. 1981)

1910-11-24 Lennox Brown, South African cricketer (South African leg-spinner on 1931-32 Aust/NZ tour), born in Randfontein, South Africa (d. 1983)

1910-11-26 Cyril Cusack, South African actor (Day of the Jackal, Fahrenheit 451), born in Durban, South Africa (d. 1993)

1910-12-02 Bob Newson, South African cricket fast bowler (3 Tests, 4 wickets; Transvaal; Rhodesia), born in Sea Point, Cape Province, South Africa (d. 1988)

1911-02-06 Dooley Briscoe MC, South African cricket batsman (2 Tests; Transvaal) and soldier (Military Cross 1941), born in Johannesburg, South Africa (d. 1941)

1911-04-12 Geoff Chubb, South African cricket fast bowler (5 Tests, 21 wickets; Border), born in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa (d. 1982)

1911-05-28 Bob Crisp, South African cricket fast bowler (9 Tests, 20 wickets; Rhodesia, Western Province, Worcestershire), born in Calcutta, India (d. 1994)

1911-08-06 Norman Gordon, South African cricket fast bowler (5 Tests, 20 wickets; Transvaal), born in Boksburg, South Africa (d. 2014)

1912-03-02 Arthur Langton, South African cricket medium pace bowler (15 Tests, 40 wickets), born in Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa (d. 1942)

1913-05-08 Sid James [Solomon Joel Cohen], South African-born British character and comedy actor (Hancock's Half Hour, Carry On), born in Johannesburg, Transvaal Province (d. 1976)

1913-09-10 Zephania Mothopeng, South African activist, President of the Pan-African Congress, born near Vrede, South Africa (d. 1990)

1914-03-01 Archie Gumede, South African anti-apartheid activist and politician (ANC), born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (d. 1998)

1914-05-02 Dennis Dyer, South African cricketer (opened batting for South Africa v England 1947), born in Durban, Natal (d. 1990)

1914-05-15 Jack Pepys, South African British immunologist (allergy and allergic diseases), born in Johannesburg, South Africa (d. 1996)

1914-06-18 Billy Wade, South African cricket wicketkeeper (11 Tests, 1 x 100, 17 dismissals; Natal), born in Durban, South Africa (d. 2003)

1914-06-29 Ellen Kuzwayo, South African member of parliament (ANC) and noted writer ("Call me Woman"), born in Thaba-Nchu, Orange Free State (d. 2006)

1914-08-07 Ted Moore, South African-British cinematographer (James Bond), born in Western Cape, South Africa (d. 1987)

1914-12-12 Denis Begbie, South African cricketer (South African batsman in five Tests 1948-50), born in Middelburg, Transvaal, South Africa (d. 2009)

1915-02-26 Elisabeth Eybers, South African poet (That Woman & Other Verses), born in Klerksdorp, Transvaal (d. 2007)

1915-04-20 Joseph Wolpe, South African psychotherapist, born in Johannesburg, South Africa (d. 1997)

1915-07-17 Habib Rajab, South African trader and collector of oriental art who fought against a takeover of the Grey Street complex by White traders, born in Durban, South Africa (d. 1973)

1915-09-18 Hetta Empson, South African-British artist, born in Orange Free State, South Africa (d. 1996)

1916-01-12 P. W. Botha, South African politician (President of South Africa, 1984-89; Prime Minister, 1977-84), born in Paul Roux, Orange Free State Province, South Africa (d. 2006)

1916-04-26 (Arnoldus) Arnold van Wyk, South African concert pianist and composer (Nagmusiek - Night Music), born in Calvinia, Cape Province, Union of South Africa (d. 1983)

1916-08-27 Tony Harris, South African cricket batsman (3 Tests, 1 x 50; Transvaal) and rugby union five-eighth (5 Tests), born in Kimberley, South Africa (d. 1993)

1917-10-27 Jack Plimsoll, South African cricket fast bowler (1 Test, BB 3-143; manager RSA team to England 1965), born in Kalk Bay, South Africa (d. 1999)

1917-10-27 Oliver Tambo, South African lawyer, anti-apartheid politician and co-founder (African National Congress), born in Nkantolo, Bizana, South Africa (d. 1993)

1917-11-20 Bobby Locke, South African golfer (British Open 1949-50, 52, 57), born in Germiston, South Africa (d. 1987)

1918-07-09 Rowley Israel Arenstein, South African attorney, communist and activist (under house arrest for 18 years), born in Durban, Natal (d. 1996)

1918-07-18 Nelson Mandela, South African anti-apartheid activist, political prisoner (1962-90) and President of South Africa (1994-99), born in Mvezo, Umtatu, South Africa (d. 2013)

1919-02-06 Lindsay Tuckett, South African cricketer (son of Len, 9 Tests for South Africa 1947-49), born in Durban, South Africa (d. 2016)

1919-05-23 Robert K.J.E. Antonissen, Belgian-born South African literary figure, born in Antwerp (d. 1972)

1920-02-23 David Wright, South African-British poet (Deafness: A Personal Account), born in Johannesburg, South Africa (d. 1994)

1920-05-26 Jack Cheetham, South African cricket batsman and captain (24 Tests; Western Province), born in Cape Town, South Africa (d. 1980)

1920-09-23 Gerard W. Taylor, South African-British surgeon, born in Natal, South Africa (d. 1995)

1920-12-07 Tatamkhulu Afrika, South African poet and writer, born in As Sallum, Egypt (d. 2002)

1921-02-07 Athol Rowan, South African cricket spin bowler (15 Tests, 54 wickets, BB 5/68; Transvaal), born in Johannesburg, South Africa (d. 1998)

1921-02-19 Andries Treurnicht [Dr No], South African politician (founder of the South African Conservative Party), born in Piketberg, South Africa (d. 1993)

1922-04-26 Margaret Scott, South African ballet dancer and founder (Australian Ballet School), born in Johannesburg, Union of South Africa (d. 2019)

1922-04-30 Anton Murray, South African cricket all-rounder (10 Tests; 1 x 100; 18 wickets), born in Grahamstown, South Africa (d. 1995)

1922-06-07 Hubert Du Plessis, South African pianist and composer, born in Malmesbury, Cape Province, Union of South Africa (d. 2011)

1922-06-10 Bill Kerr, South African-born Australian actor (Hancock's Half Hour), born in Cape Town (d. 2014)

1922-07-23 Stefans Grové, South African composer (Nonyana, The Ceremonial Dancer; Cyclops; Glimpses), born in Bethlehem, Orange Free State, Union of South Africa (d. 2014)

1922-10-22 Thomas Titus Nkobi, South African ANC-leader (Alexandra-bus boycott 1957), born in Matabeleland, Zimbabwe (d. 1994)

1922-11-08 Christiaan Barnard, South African cardiac surgeon who performed the 1st heart transplant, born in Beaufort West, Union of South Africa (d. 2001)

1922-12-08 George Fullerton, South African cricketer (South African keeper-batsman 1947-51), born in Kensington, South Africa (d. 2002)

1923-03-06 (Raymond) "Bill" Hoffenberg, South African-British endocrinologist and college president (Wolfson at Oxford, 1985-93), born in Port Elizabeth, Union of South Africa (d. 2007)

1923-04-10 John Watkins, South African cricket all-rounder (15 Tests, 29 wickets, 3 x 50s; Natal), born in Durban, South Africa (d. 2021)

1923-04-23 Nathan "Dambuza" Mdledle, South African singer (Manhattan Brothers) and actor, born in Pimville, Union of South Africa (d. 1995)

1923-11-20 Nadine Gordimer, South African author (July's people, Nobel 1991), born in Springs, Transvaal, (d. 2014)

1923-12-24 Wilton S Mkwayi, South African ANC leader, born in Middledrift, Eastern Cape (d. 2004)

1924-01-03 Henry Fazzie, South African politician and activist (ANC), born in Stutterheim, Cape Province (d. 2011)

1924-05-13 Harry Schwarz, South African MP, Ambassador to the US and anti-apartheid activist, born in Cologne, Germany (d. 2010)

1924-05-31 Russell Endean, South African cricket wicketkeeper (28 Tests, 3 x 100, HS 162no, 41 dismissals; Transvaal, MCC), born in Johannesburg, South Africa (d. 2003)

1924-07-26 Elias Motsoaledi, South African freedom fighter and anti-apartheid activist, born in Phokoane, Sekhukhuneland, Northern Transvaal (d. 1994)

1924-08-02 Ismond Rosen, South African born psychoanalyst and artist (book on Sexual Deviation), born in Johannesburg, South Africa (d. 1996)

1924-10-15 Nigel Green, South African-born British character actor (Zulu, Skull, Tobruk, Ipcress File), born in Pretoria, South Africa (d. 1972)

1924-12-07 John Love, Zimbabwean auto racer (British Saloon Car C'ship 1962; 6 x South African F1 C'ship 1964-69), born in Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia (d. 2005)

1925-02-20 Alex La Guma, South African novelist (A Walk in the Night), and anti-apartheid activist (1956 Treason Trial), born in Cape Town, South Africa (d. 1985)

1925-02-23 Ian Smith, South African cricket leg-spinner (1947-58) who averaged 64.08, born in Durban, South Africa (d. 2015)

1925-05-02 David Ironside, South African cricketer (South African swing bowler in 3 Tests v NZ 1953-54), born in Lourenco Marques, Mozambique (d. 2005)

1925-06-19 Alfred Nzo, South African General Secretary of the ANC (1969-91), born in Benoni, Transvaal, South Africa (d. 2000)

1925-06-28 Anne Mackenzie, South African long distance athlete, born in Ceres, Cape Province, South Africa (d. 2014)

1925-07-25 Scotch Taylor, South African cricket batsman (1 Test; Transvaal) and executive (president South African Hockey Union), born in Johannesburg, South Africa (d. 2004)

1925-08-15 Gertrude Shope, South African leader of the ANC Women’s League, born in Johannesburg, South Africa

1925-09-14 Ruth Mompati, South African politician and Secretary of Nelson Mandela, born in Vryburg, North-West Province, South Africa (d. 2015)

1925-10-05 Herbert Kretzmer, South African-British lyricist of Lithuanian heritage (Les Miserables), born in Kroonstad, Union of South Africa (d. 2020)

1925-10-14 Phillip Tobias, South African palaeoanthropologist and three time Nobel Prize nominee (hominid fossil sites), born in Durban, South Africa (d. 2012)

1925-10-24 J.N. Reddy, South African politician (Solidarity party leader) (d. 2019)

1925-11-18 Yvonne Bryceland, South African stage actress (Road to Mecca), born in Cape Town, South Africa (d. 1992)

1925-12-01 Harold Strachan, South African writer, anti-apartheid activist, and explosives expert, born in Pretoria, Union of South Africa (d. 2020)

1925-12-03 Ken Funston, South African cricket batsman (18 Tests, top score 92), born in Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa (d. 2005)

1925-12-25 Christmas Tinto, South African ANC and UDF leader, born in Mqanduli district, Transkei (d. 2005)

1926-01-14 Harold Wolpe, South African lawyer and sociologist, born in Johannesburg, South Africa (d. 1996)

1926-02-28 Stanley Glasser, South African composer, born in Johannesburg, South Africa (d. 2018)

1926-09-11 Gerrit Viljoen, South African politician (Chair of the Broederbond), born in Cape Town, South Africa (d. 2009)

1926-12-24 Ronald Draper, South African cricketer (South African batsman v Australia 1949-50), born in Oudtshoorn, South Africa

1926-12-26 Edgar D Ngoyi, South African ANC leader (17 yrs in Robbeneiland Jail)

1927-01-13 Sydney Brenner, South African biologist known for his contributions on the genetic code and molecular biology (Nobel Laureate 2002), born in Germiston, Transvaal, South Africa (d. 2019)