South Africa is growing rapidly in terms of entertainment industry and it has been exporting talent to the world. There some famous celebrities who are known worldwide and were born in South Africa. Some of these celebrities we don’t even know they were born here but that’s the case. We will explore 10 Worldwide Celebrities who are South Africans.
Number 1 is Elon Musk, born in Pretoria, known as the world’s richest man
The first one on our list is one of the world’s richest man Elon Musk. He was born and bred in Pretoria, South Africa. He attended Pretoria Boys High where he obtained his matric certificate. Considering his billionaire status it’s almost impossible to believe that Musk was born and grew up in Pretoria, South Africa. Now Musk is the founder of Space X, Boring Company, PayPal and Neuralink. Musk is the owner of X/Twitter, owner of Tesla, SolarCity and Open AI. His networth is estimated at 194 billion in 2024 which means he is the 2nd or third richest man in the world. [1]
Number 2 is Charlize Theron, born in Benoni, Joburg, known for acting in Hollywood movies
Another well known person worldwide is Charlize Theron who is known for Hollywood movies. She was born and raised in Benoni, Johannesburg in South Africa in 1975. Growing up, Charlize faced the same challenges everyone was facing in the country since it had sanctions imposed on it. Despite those challenges, Charlize did not allow them to hold him back from achieving great success in the film industry on global level. She is known for Mad Max: Fury Road, Monster, Atomic Blonde, The Old Guard and The Devil’s Advocate. She is also in the top ten of the world’s highest paid actress, earning an estimate of US$ 31 Million. With such fame and money, you wouldn’t believe that Charlize was born in South Africa and she an Afrikaaner
Number 3 is Fana Mokoena, born in Kroonstad, known for acting in Hollywood Movies
Actor and political activist Fana Mokoena is amongst the world’s most famous people born in South Africa. He was born in Kroonstad, Free State province of South Africa. Locally, Fana is known for television drama serials such as Scandal, Generations and films such as World War Z, Hotel Rwanda, Machine Gun Preacher to name a few. So, people in South Africa might know Fana as a local actor and politician but he is really a big star in Hollywood.
Number 4 we have Trevor Noah, born in Johannesburg, known as a comedian
We all know Trevor Noah so we can’t doubt that he was born in South Africa and now he is an international star. Trevor was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. He attended Maryvale College where he obtained his matric before venturing into comedy. When considering that Trevor is known worldwide as a stand up comedian, you would doubt he is a South African. He is known for The Daily Show, his stand up comedy shows and for appearing in movies and dramas. Noah speaks English, Southern Sotho, Zulu, Xhosa, Tswana and basic Afrikaans. He has performed Comedy shows all around the world. He was named one of the 35 most powerful people in New York Media and the one of the most influential people in the world.
Number 5 is Black Coffee, born in Umlazi, known as a DJ and Songwriter
Born as Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa is DJ Black Coffee. He is so good at music and DJing that he has won a Grammy award in 2022. He is known for albums such as Black Coffee, Have Another One, Pieces of Me and Africa Rising to name a few. DJ Black Coffee is doing really good on global stage. He has traveled to different parts of the world to djing including Mexico, United States in Madison Square Garden and Europe.
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Number 6 is Charlbi Dean, born in Cape Town, known as an actress
Actress Charlbi Dean Kriek was born to Joanne Muller and Johan Kriek in 1990 in Cape Town, South Africa. She began modeling at the tender age of 6, appearing in commercials and catalogues. After finish her matric, she attended Theatre School in Cape Town. After fully ventured into acting, Charlbi appeared in Squd as Amanda, she went on to star in Don’t Sleep and Interview with God. With career of over 2 decades, Charlbi died in 2022 at the age of 32 after suffering from bacteria sepsis. Charlbi was not well known in South Africa but worldwide, she was a star. [2]
Number 7 is Anold Vosloo, born in Pretoria, known as a Hollywood aactorm
Actor Anold Vosloo was born in Pretoria, South Africa to parents who were stage actors. After high school and military service, he took drama courses at the Technikon Pretoria now known as Tshwane University of Technology. After that he began acting at Pretoria state theatre before he moved to United States. His American debut film is Gor I 1987. In 1999 he appeared in The Mummy and in 2004 he appeared in the Revenge of the mummy. He also appeared in video games with his likeness and voice such as G.I Joe two episodes video game series. With all those accolades and fame, you wouldn’t believe Vosloo is South African.
Number 8 is Thuso Mbedu, born in Pietermaritzburg, known for acting in Hollywood
Locally Thuso Mbedu is known for appearing in Scandal etv as a journalist student Kitso, in SABC1 drama series Snake Park and also in Saints and Sinners. However when we come on the international stage, you will find her there. She made her international debut in 2021 when she portrayed Cora in Amazon video series The Underground Railroad. The very same year, Thuso acted alongside Viola Davis in The Woman King playing Nawi. So, Thuso is now a big name on international stage and has been representing South Africa well. She is a South African born in Pietermaritzburg in South Africa.
Number 9 is Oliver Hermanus, born in Cape Town, known as a film director and writer
Film writer and director Oliver Hermanus is known internationally for his work in the film industry. He made his first film in 2009 called Shirley Adams which was inspired by a true story of her biological sister. After releasing other local films he ventured into international film production and he released Moffie, Living and The History of Sound. Oliver is one of those South Africans who are known worldwide for their work. [3]
Number 10 is Nasty C, born in Diepmeadow, known as a rapper and musician
Born as Nsikayesizwe David Jr Ngcobo in Diepmeadow, South Africa is Nasty C, a rapper, songwriter, voice actor and record producer. He released his first album Bad Hair after releasing three mixtapes and two EPs. In 2018 he released Strings and Bling which was associated and supported by his first tour, The Ivyson Tour. In 2020 Nasty C signed a joint deal with Def Jam Records and released his first United States official single “There They Go” which gain global recognition. He is now one of the South African artist who are very famous on global stage.
