The 700 best-known Africans, all-time

Based on number of Internet page references and documents on which their names appear

As at September 7, 2002

Source: alltheweb.com search engine/Africa Almanac.com research

Profiles written by Timothy Kalyegira

 

 

Name, country of origin, profile                                                                       Pages

1. Kofi Annan, Ghana; UN secretary general, co-winner with UN, 2001 Nobel Peace prize                268,589

2. Nelson Mandela, South Africa; famous political prisoner, first post-apartheid president                 261,293

3. Sade, Nigeria; calm-faced, 1980s Pop singer, hits Sweetest Taboo,  Lovers' Rock                        217,425

4. Charlize Theron, South Africa; actress, 2000 Men of Honor, 1997 Trial and Error                        172,683

5. Cleopatra, Egypt; Greek-born ancient Egyptian queen, lover of Rome's Mark Anthony                    110,706

6. Lou Bega, Uganda; born David Lubega, German-based singer, hit song Mambo No. 5                  85,608

7. Samantha Mumba, Zambia; Zambian father, Irish mother, 2000s Pop singer                                   85,503

8. Seal, Nigeria; 1990s scar-faced Pop singer, hits Crazy, Kiss For A Rose                                      80,610

9. Ernie Els, South Africa; 2002 British Open golf champion                                                                68,658

10. Tunde Baiyewu, Nigeria; lead vocalist of 1990s Pop-Soul duo, Lighthouse Family                        62,259

11. Ptolemy I, Egypt; Greek-born general, invaded Egypt, created dynasty                                          61,574

12. Gary Player, South Africa; 1961 US Masters, 1974 British Open golf champion                           60,564

13. Thabo Mbeki, South Africa; president, holder of controversial views on AIDS' origin                   60,138

14. St. Anthony, Egypt; 4th century monk, first Christian to adopt monastic lifestyle                           58,343

15. Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe; maverick South African-born president, nemesis of whites            53,279

16. Nick Price, Zimbabwe; 1992 PGA golf champion                                                                           47,904

17. Desmond Tutu, South Africa; Anglican archbishop, 1984 Nobel Peace Prize winner                   46,248

18. Queen of Sheba, Ethiopia-Yemen; fabled queen, visited Israel's biblical King Solomon               42,127

19. Hosni Mubarak, Egypt; president, Middle East peace broker, succeeded Anwar Sadat                39,613

20. Chinua Achebe, Nigeria; author of Africa's most famous novel Things Fall Apart                        38,309

21. Ptolemy V, Egypt; king, his name inscribed on the famous granite Rosetta Stone                          36,104

22. Retief Goosen, South Africa; 2001 US Open golf champion                                                          34,752

23. Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria; former military head of state, later civilian president                        33,849

24. Dikembe Mutombo, Democratic Republic of Congo; NBA player, philanthropist                         31,802

25. Miriam Makeba, South Africa; 1960s, 1970s singer, Malaika, Pata Pata                                       30,894

26. Haile Selassie, Ethiopia; late head of state, patriarchal icon of Rastafarian movement                 29,060

27. Wole Soyinka, Nigeria; playwright, 1986 Nobel Prize winner for literature                                     28,738

28. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Egypt; first African United Nations secretary general                               27,867 

29. Idi Amin, Uganda; military leader, symbol of 20th tyrannical evil, 1972, expelled Asians                23,674

30. Hakeem Olajuwon, Nigeria; player in US National Basketball Association                                      23,556

31. Naguib Mahfouz, Egypt; novelist, The Beggar, 1988 Nobel Prize winner for literature                   22,923

32. King Tutankhamun, Egypt; Egyptian pharaoh, hence Breakdance move, "King Tut"                       22,370 

33. Nadine Gordimer, South Africa; novelist, 1991 Nobel Prize winner for literature                           22,275

34. Hatshepsut, Egypt; queen in 18th Dynasty, influential among ancient Egypt rulers                        20,252

35. Omar Sharif, Egypt; actor, born Michael Shalhoub, took lead role in film Dr Zhivago                      22,238

36. Youssou N'dour, Senegal; singer, human rights activist, hit song Seven Seconds                       20,329

37. Cesaria Evora, Cape Verde; 61 year-old, bare-footed female Creole Blues singer                      19,512

38. Amanda Coetzer, South Africa; international women Tennis tour player                                      19,380

39. Zacarias Moussaoui, Morocco; suspect in Sept., 2001 terrorist attacks on America                    19,355

40. Joseph Kabila, Democratic Republic of Congo, president, son of Laurent Kabila                     19,076 

41. Yoweri Museveni, Uganda; guerrilla leader, later president, successful in AIDS fight                   18,374

42. Angélique Kidjo, Benin; boyish, bejeweled Pop singer, Agolo, Wombo Lombo                             18,192

43. King Hassan II, Morocco; late long-serving monarch, discreet peace contact of Israel                 18,145

44. Anwar Sadat, Egypt; slain president, 1978 Nobel Prize winner, for deal with Israel                      17,942

45. Dr.Alban, Nigeria; originally Alban Nwapa, dread locked singer                                                     17,142

46. Charles Taylor, Liberia; warlord, later president, accused of meddling in regional affairs            16,285

47. Laurent Kabila, DRCongo; guerrilla leader, fought Mobutu, in 2001, assassinated                        16,233

48. Sani Abacha, Nigeria; military leader, annulled 1993 presidential elections                                    15,139

49. Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya; Thelonius Monk look-alike Mau Mau leader, later president                        15,132

50. Mauricio Gugelmin, South Africa; 1990s Formula One racing driver                                              15,121

51. Jose Eduardo dos Santos, Angola; second president, in power since 1979                                 15,008

52. Mohammed Atta, Egypt; hijacker, pilot of first ill-fated US airliner on Sept., 11, 2001                      14,938

53. Amina Lawal, Nigeria; Muslim woman, set to die by stoning, for out-of-wedlock child                  14,783

54. Nefertari, Egypt; queen of ancient Egypt, admired by many white supremacists                           14,078

55. Ken Saro-Wiwa, Nigeria; poet, murdered advocate for Ogoni tribe's rights                                   13,883

56. Younes El Aynaoui, Morocco; 1990s men's ATP tennis player                                                      13,783

57. Wayne Ferreira, South Africa; 1990s ATP tennis player                                                               13,579

58. Ptolemy II Philadelphus, Egypt; king of Egypt in third century B.C                                                    13,026

59. Jonas Savimbi, Angola; guerrilla warlord, Cold War U.S ally, in 2002, killed in battle                      12,863

60. Patrice Lumumba, DR Congo; much-admired assassinated 1960s political leader                         12,745

61. Daniel arap Moi, Kenya; raspy-voiced president, self-described "professor of politics"                12,720

62. Cheb Mami, Algeria; singer, sang on duet with English rock star Sting, Desert Rose                   12,599

63. Hansie Cronje, South Africa; late cricket captain, disgraced by match-fixing scandal                  12,545

64. Muammar Gaddafi, Libya; mercurial anti-western leader, pan-African unity advocate                  12,517

65. Basil Rathbone, South Africa; 1930s, 1940s Hollywood actor, Sherlock Holmes                        12,350

66. Manu Dibango, Cameroon, dark-goggled, shaven-headed 1970s saxophonist, singer                12,345

67. Babatunde Olatunji, Nigeria; world-renown traditional African drummer, teacher                         12,296    

68. Mobutu Sese Seko, DR Congo; president, at $4 billion, once world's richest politician                  12,238

69. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Algeria; president, brokered 2000 Ethiopia-Eritrea peace accord                12,201

70. Hicham Arazi, Morocco; 2000s men's ATP tennis player                                                               12,178

71. Shaun Pollock, South Africa; cricket player, 2002 national team captain                                       12,046

72. Alpha Blondy, Ivory Coast; Reggae singer-songwriter, Jerusalem                                              12,032

73. Louis Trichardt, South Africa; army general, led 18th century Great Trek Voortrekker                12,029

74. Jody Scheckter, South Africa; national Formula One racing champion, 1979, aged 12                 11,923

75. Paul Kagame, Rwanda; commander of 1990s RPA guerrilla army, later president                         11,903

76. Abdoulaye Wade, Senegal; opposition politician, president, African unity advocate                     11,665

77. Morgan Tsvangirai, Zimbabwe; trade union leader, later main opposition leader                          11,607

78. Mohammed VI, Morocco; monarch, succeeded father, Hassan II, married commoner                   11,166

79. Cheops, Egypt; a.k.a Khufu, pharaoh, ordered construction of the Great Pyramid                        11,126

80. Gnassingbe Eyadema, Togo; long-serving head of state, since 1967                                            11,079

81. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana; charismatic president, towering 1960s pan-African idol                       10,928

82. Baaba Maal, Senegal; singer, nicknamed The Nightingale, sang Yere                                            10,882

83. Salif Keita, Mali; albino singer-songwriter, of haunting, majestic music                                          10,576

84. Nwankwo Kanu, Nigeria; lanky soccer striker, World Cup teams, English Arsenal FC                  10,457

85. Fela Kuti, Nigeria; late, flamboyant singer                                                                                       10,389

86. Femi Kuti, Nigeria; Afro Pop singer, son of the late Fela Kuti                                                          10,352

87. Julius Nyerere, Tanzania; revered Socialist founding president, anti-apartheid figure                   10,269

88. Ptolemy III Euergetes, Egypt; third king of Ptolemic dynasty                                                             9,873

89. George Weah, Liberia; football striker, FIFA World Player of the Year, 1995                                9,842

90. John Bland, South Africa; golfer                                                                                                     9,825

91. Mark Shuttleworth, South Africa; Internet multi-millionaire, first ever African in space                 9,756

92. Leopold Sedar Senghor, Senegal; president, propounded Negritude identity, pride                      9,704

93. Papa Wemba, Democratic Republic of Congo; leading Soukous musician                                9,696

94. William Kentridge, South Africa; world-famous painter, also draws etchings                               9,690

95. Athol Fugard, South Africa; 1960s dissident playwright, The Blood Knot                                     9,603

96. Mangosuthu Buthelezi, South Africa; Zulu nationalist leader, Nkatha Freedom Party                    9,511

97. Laurent Gbagbo, Ivory Coast; president, in 2000 led uprising against military rule                        9,174

98. Jan Smuts, South Africa; World War II general, later Prime Minister                                               9,160

99. Allan Donald, South Africa; cricket player, country's most successful bowler, all-time                9,165

100. Samuel Nujoma, Namibia; leader of SWAPO guerrilla group, later president                                9,070

101. Meles Zenawi, Ethiopia; guerrilla leader, later Prime Minister                                                       9,059

102. Omar Bongo, Gabon; long-serving president, made popular high-heeled shoes                          8,939

103. Franco Luambo, Democratic Republic of Congo; singer of popular love ballads                     8,902

104. Jacques Kallis, South Africa; world record-breaking cricket player                                            8,819

105. Shaka Zulu, South Africa; legendary 19th century Zulu chieftain, resisted British rule               8,786

106. Frederick Chiluba, Zambia; trade union leader, later president, faced corruption case               8,758

107. Richard Leakey, Kenya; conservationist, cabinet minister, civil service head                              8,541

108. El Hadji Diouf, Senegal; key striker in 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, World Cup finals                   8,501

109. Foday Sankoh, Sierra Leone; rebel leader, implicated in grievous civilian atrocities                   8,498

110. Hugh Masekela, South Africa; ebullient Jazz trumpeter, singer                                                   8,475

111. Taribo West, Nigeria; football defender, in English premier team West Ham United                      8,101

112. Steve Biko, South Africa; much-lamented, murdered anti-apartheid activist                                8,044

113. Gary Kirsten, South Africa; cricket player                                                                                    7,859

114. Ali Farka Toure, Mali; acclaimed musician, guitarist, singer                                                           7,775

115. Pierre Buyoya, Burundi; two-time military leader, from minority Tutsi ethnic group                      7,691

116. Buchi Emecheta, Nigeria; female novelist; author of children's books, short stories                    7,672

117. Ptolemy IV Philopator, Egypt; fourth king of the Ptolemic dynasty                                                 7,638

118. Patrick Mboma, Cameroon; African Footballer of the Year, 2000                                                7,517

119. Jonathan Butler, South Africa; acoustic Jazz guitarist and singer, composed Africa                 7,403

120. Gamal Abdel Nasser, Egypt; Pan-Arab, Non-Alignment, Pan-African leader                                7,343

121. Amr Moussa, Egypt; cerebral foreign minister, later Arab League secretary general                  7,337

122. Lucky Dube, South Africa; Reggae singer, Prisoner, Slave, Let Jah Be Blessed                       7,300

123. Sebastian Abreu, Senegal; football player                                                                                    7,265

124. Andy Flower, Zimbabwe; cricket wicket keeper                                                                         7,262

125. Herschelle Gibbs, South Africa; cricket batsman                                                                         7,228

126. Amenhotep III, Egypt; pharaoh, built the famous temple at Luxor                                                  7,208

127. Lance Klusener, South Africa; cricket player                                                                               7,149

128. Breyten Breytenbach, South Africa; author of How Apartheid Works                                        7,083

129. Ahmed Maher, Egypt; foreign minister, successor to Amr Mousa                                                7,027

130. Joaquim Chissano, Mozambique; president, spearheaded rapid economic growth                   7,025

131. Rigobert Song, Cameroon; 2002 World Cup team captain, also player, Liverpool FC                 6,973

132. Siad Barre, Somalia; last president before nation's 1991 collapse into anarchy                          6,916

133. Ali Bacher, South Africa; former director, United Cricket Board of South Africa                         6,893

134. Abdullah Ibrahim, South Africa; Jazz pianist and composer, born Adolphus Brand                    6,847 

135. Didier Ratsiraka, Madagascar; president, ousted after disputed 2001 elections                         6,792

136. Oumou Sangaré, Mali; female singer, leading star of five-note melodic music of Wassoulou      6,749

137. Paul Kruger, South Africa; first president of Republic of South Africa                                        6,735

138. Johnny Clegg, South Africa; white, Zulu-speaking singer, leader, 1980s band Juluka               6,626

139. Issa Hayatou, Senegal; president, African football body CAF, 2002 vied for FIFA post              6,577

140. Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia; Malawi-born first president, later AIDS activist                                  6,569

141. Celestine Babayaro, Nigeria; football striker, with English team Chelsea                                     6,494

142. Eduardo Mondlane, Mozambique; leader of FRELIMO group, killed by letter bomb                     6,457

143. Yahya Jammeh, The Gambia; military leader, known for love of flamboyant clothes                  6,374

144. Ama Ata Aidoo, Ghana; female author, writer on African women in modern world                     6,386

145. F.W. De Klerk, South Africa; last apartheid-era president, freed Nelson Mandela                       6,317

146. Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, Tunisia; president, since 1987 led major economic growth                   6,213

147. Marc Ravalomanana, Madagascar; city mayor, president after 2001 elections                           6,156

148. Trevor Manuel, South Africa; 2000s finance minister                                                                  6,124

149. Winnie Mandela, South Africa; Nelson Mandela's second wife, anti-apartheid activist               6,107

150. Mike Jensen, South Africa; Internet researcher, tracker of Africa's Web trends                        6,096

151. Jean-Pierre Bemba, Democratic Republic of Congo; Ugandan-backed rebel leader               6,081

152. Alan Paton, South Africa; politician, novelist, author, Cry My Beloved Country                           6,027

153. Heath Streak, South Africa; cricket player                                                                                   6,004

154. King Sunny Ade, Nigeria, musician                                                                                               5,918

155. Habib Koite, Mali; singer, guitarist, one of leading Afro Pop artists                                               5,907

156. Gerald Asamoah, Ghana; player with World Cup 2002 German soccer team                              5,835

157. Ian Smith, Zimbabwe; former white supremacist Prime Minister                                                  5,824

158. Ramesses II, Egypt; Rameses II, Egypt; pharaoh of ancient Egypt                                               5,749

159. Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Republic of Congo; rebel leader, later president                                 5,720

160. Wayne Black, Zimbabwe; men's ATP tour tennis player                                                              5,646

161. Mory Kante, Mali; singer-songwriter, Yeke Yeke                                                                          5,640

162. Amanda Strydom, South Africa; singer, cabaret performer, and actress                                   5,635

163. Paul Tergat, Kenya; five-time world cross country champion, also fine at 10,000m                     5,606

164. Thomas Mapfumo, Zimbabwe; singer, nicknamed the Lion of Zimbabwe                                   5,597

165. Amilcar Cabral, Guinea; politician, revolutionary, assassinated in 1973                                       5,577

166. Byron Black, Zimbabwe; men's ATP tour tennis player                                                               5,557

167. Ptolemy VI, Egypt; sixth king of the Ptolemic dynasty                                                                    5,537

168. Obafemi Awolowo, Nigeria; influential politician, 1950s provincial prime minister                        5,351

169. Benjamin Mkapa, Tanzania; president, elected for two terms, starting 1995                                5,319

170. Abdou Diouf, Senegal; tall, 6ft 7in, second president, lost 2000 election to Wade                       5,290

171. Habib Bourguiba, Tunisia; former president                                                                                  5,288

172. Samuel Eto'o, Cameroon; football striker                                                                                      5,285

173. Grant Flower, Zimbabwe; left arm cricket spinner                                                                       5,273

174. Robert Guei, Ivory Coast; military leader, in 1999 coup, killed 2002 attempted coup                   5,270 

175. Jerry Rawlings, Ghana; two-time military coup leader, later civilian president                              5,239

176. Mariama Bâ, Senegal; female novelist, 1980 Une si longue lettre (So Long A Letter)                 5,169

177. Bakili Muluzi, Malawi; president since 1994, set off anti-corruption campaign                             5,153

178. Ketumile Masire, Botswana; president, late 1990s Congo peace facilitator                                 5,147

179. Finidi George, Nigeria; football winger, in English team Ipswich Town                                         5,125

180. Emmanuel Milingo, Zambia; rebel Catholic archbishop, 2001, wed Maria Sung                            5,104

181. Ange-Félix Patassé, Central African Republic; president, survived 2002 coup                        5,064

181. Wilson Kipketer, Kenya; Kenyan-born Danish athlete, 800m world record holder                        5.064

183. Tsitsi Dangarembga, Zimbabwe; female author, Nervous Condition, also film maker                 5,061

184. Jacob Zuma, South Africa; deputy president, to Thabo Mbeki                                                     5,053

185. Augustine ("Jay-Jay") Okocha, Nigeria; footballer, 2002 World Cup captain                               5,035

186. Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Ivory Coast; president, built world's largest Basilica                            4,944

187. Samora Machel, Mozambique; first president, died in 1986 plane crash                                    4,924

187. Jonathan Rhodes, South Africa; cricket player                                                                            4,924

189. Khalid Khannouchi, Morocco; marathon world record holder                                                      4,829

190. Ben Okri, Nigeria; writer, winner of 1991 Booker Prize for fiction, The Famished Road            4,823

191. John Garang, Sudan; leader of southern SPLA guerrilla group                                                    4,780

191. Salomon Olembé, Cameroon; football midfielder, part of 2002 World Cup finals team                4,780

193. Khalilou Fadiga, Senegal; striker in 2002 World Cup finals in Japan, South Korea                       4,769

194. Menes, Egypt; first ruler of first dynasty, founded the ancient city of Memphis                           4,703 

195. Thutmose III, Egypt; ancient Egyptian pharaoh                                                                               4,700

196. Alassane Ouattara, Ivory Coast; IMF director for Africa, later opposition leader                        4,657

197. Jonathan Moyo, Zimbabwe; Black empowerment advocate, cabinet minister                             4,651 

198. Chris Hani, South Africa; secretary general of ANC party, later assassinated                           4,628

199. Guy Whittall, Zimbabwe, cricket player                                                                                        4,585

200. Beverley Naidoo, South Africa; children's author, winner of 2001 Carnegie medal                    4,582

201. Salim Ahmed Salim, Tanzania; former Prime Minister, later secretary general, OAU                    4,548

202. Rozalla, Zimbabwe; 1990s Pop singer, of 1991 hit Everybody's Free To Feel Good                 4,539

203. Alek Wek, Sudan, southern Black refugee, turned international fashion model                            4,505

204. Mswati III, Swaziland; king, famous for elaborate wife-search ceremonies                                4,454

205. Maria Mutola, Mozambique; World, Commonwealth Olympic 800m track champion                    4,399

206. Paul Biya, Cameroon; president, since 1982                                                                               4,368

207. Dodi al-Fayed, Egypt; companion to late Princess Diana, died in 1997 Paris crash                      4,353

208. Mohamed Abdelaziz, Western Sahara; leader, Polisario Liberation front                                    4,319

209. Ibrahim Babangida, Nigeria; 1980s military leader and architect of past army coups                   4,316

210. Ahmed Sekou Toure, Guinea; first president, pan-African unity advocate                                  4,313

211. Tegla Loroupe, Kenya; former women's marathon world record holder                                       4,081

212. Henri Camara, Senegal; scored golden goal in 2002 World Cup quarter-final advance               4,049

213. Louis Botha, South Africa; first Prime Minister of Union of South Africa                                     4,027

214. Idriss Déby, Chad; president                                                                                                          4,012

214. Levy Mwanawasa, Zambia; president, led corruption probe of predecessor Chiluba                4,012

216. Mohammed Valli Moosa, South Africa; minister of tourism                                                           3,980

217. Mengistu Haile Mariam, Ethiopia; ruthless military leader, led "Red Terror" purges                      3,944

218. Phyllis Wheatley, Senegal; poet, taken as slave to America aged eight, 1761                             3,926

219. Catherine Ndereba, Kenya; women's marathon world record holder                                           3,880

220. Henri Konan Bédié, Ivory Coast; former president, ousted by army in 1999 coup                      3,877 

221. Lansana Conté, Guinea; president since 1984                                                                             3,866

222. Pascal Lissouba, Republic of Congo; president, ousted, 1997, by Sassou-Nguesso               3,854

223. Noah N'geny, Kenya; 2000 Olympic 1,500 metres champion, upset rival El Gerrouj                     3,852

224. Roger Milla, Cameroon; star of 1990 World Cup football quarter-final success                          3,832

225. André Brink, South Africa; writer                                                                                                 3,839

226. Bennedict ("Benni") McCarthy, South Africa; football player, with national team                        3,832

227. Alec Erwin, South Africa; 2002 minister for Trade and Industry                                                  3,809

228. Pasteur Bizimungu, Rwanda; first post-genocide Hutu president, in 2000, resigned                    3,803

229. Henry Olonga, Zimbabwe; 1990s cricket player                                                                          3,788

230. Nkosi Johnson, South Africa, late, 12 year-old HIV-positive AIDS activist                                   3,768

231. Amara Essy, Ivory Coast; starting 2001, OAU/African Union secretary general                        3,751

232. Nawal el-Saadawi, Egypt; writer, outspoken feminine rights activist                                           3,746

233. Agostinho Neto, Angola; poet, first independence president                                                        3,743

234. Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria; vice president under Olusegun Obasanjo                                             3,731

235. Nick Mallett, South Africa; former national Rugby coach, later Springboks coach                       3,717

236. Bessie Head, South Africa; writer, Black father, white mother, born in mental asylum               3,681

237. Mary Leakey, Kenya; English-born archeologist, anthropologist, wife of Louis Leakey               3,680

238. Imhotep, Egypt; architect, designed the Step Pyramid of ancient Egypt                                        3,677

239. Louis Leakey, Kenya; anthropologist and archeologist, excavated at Oduvai gorge                    3,654

240. Francis Arinze, Nigeria; Roman Catholic Cardinal, regarded as potential future Pope                 3,638

240. Alistair Campbell, Zimbabwe, former national cricket captain                                                      3,638

242. Ernest Wamba dia Wamba; Democratic Republic of Congo; 1990s rebel leader                     3,631

243. Akhenaton, Egypt; 18th pharaoh of the 18th dynasty of ancient Egypt                                        3,628

244. Oliver Mtukudzi, Zimbabwe; 1970s, best-selling singer ever from Zimbabwe                            3,627  

245. Juvenal Habyarimana, Rwanda; president; death sparked off 1994 genocide                             3,622

246. Mark Fish, South Africa; 1990s defender in national football team, Bafana Bafana                    3,506

247. Richard Goldstone, South Africa; judge, headed reconciliation commission                                3,456

248. Thomas Sankara, Burkina Faso; charismatic, assassinated military head of state                     3,409

249. Milton Obote, Uganda; two-time president, policies led to Idi Amin's rise to power                       3,387

250. Dennis Brutus, South Africa; poet, anti-apartheid activist, detained on Robben Island               3,364

250. Cara Black, Zimbabwe; women's tennis tour player                                                                    3,364

252. Oliver Tambo, South Africa; late president of African National Congress party                          3,358

253. Ousmane Sembene, Senegal; film director and author of novel, God's Bits Of Wood                3,356

254. Breyton Paulse, South Africa; player with national Rugby team, The Springboks                       3,351

255. Olara Otunnu, Uganda; former foreign minister, later UN special envoy for children                    3,235

256. Geoffrey Oryema, Uganda; singer, Land Of Anaka, backup vocalist for Martin Paige                 3,270

257. Thomas Mofolo, Lesotho; author, 1925, of Chaka Zulu, about great Zulu chief                         3,227

258. Idris I, Libya; monarch, overthrown in 1969 military coup by Colonel Gaddafi                              3,221

259. Penelope Heyns, South Africa; double Olympic swimming champion, 1996, Atlanta                   3,215

260. David Houghton, Zimbabwe; cricket player                                                                                  3,211

261. Boni Gnahore, Democratic Republic of Congo; Jazz pianist composer                                   3,180

262. Ismael Lo, Senegal; singer, guitarist, and harmonica player                                                         3,172

263. Samuel Kuffour, Ghana; footballer, player in German team Bayen Munich                                   3,155

264. P.W Botha, South Africa; prime minister, later president                                                              3,152

265. Roger Goode, South Africa; Disc Jockey                                                                                     3,144

266. Saad Eddin Ibrahim, Egypt; academic, condemned veteran human rights activist                        3,119

267. Ike Quartey, Ghana; World Boxing Association welterweight champion                                      3,054

268. Samuel Doe, Liberia; former president, assassinated by rebels in 1990                                     3,032

269. Derartu Tulu, Ethiopia; in 1992; first Black African woman Olympic champion                            3,006

270. Festus Mogae, Botswana; president, successor to Ketumile Masire                                           2,949

271. Ellis Ferreira, South Africa; ATP tennis player                                                                              2,919

272. Christian Barnard, South Africa; in 1967, conducted world's first heart transplant                    2,909

273. Moshood Abiola, Nigeria; presidential candidate in annulled 1993 elections                                2,906

273. Pierre Wome, Cameroon; national football team defender, played in 1998 World Cup                2,906

275. Menelik II, Ethiopia; king, in 1897, defeated Italian contingent in battle of Adowa                         2,891

276. Taha Hussein, Egypt; one of Egypt's greatest ever writers, thinkers, died 1973                         2,881

277. Anthony Yeboah, Ghana; 1990s national football player                                                              2,874

277. Abebe Bikila, Ethiopia; bare-footed 1960, 1964 Olympic marathon champion                              2,874

279. Mathieu Kérékou, Benin; president                                                                                                2,869

280. Teodoro Obiang Nguema, Equatorial Guinea; president since 1979                                           2,814

280. Lamine Diack, Senegal; president, world athletics governing body, IAAF                                    2,814

282. Mohammed al-Fayed, Egypt; London-based businessman, father of Dodi al-Fayed                    2,803

283. Andrè Arendse, South Africa; 2002 World Cup football team goalkeeper                                   2,787

284. Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, Sierra Leone; lawyer, later president following civil war                       2,762

285. King Menkaure, Egypt; ancient monarch                                                                                        2,744

286. Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa; ANC secretary general, black labour union leader                    2,742

286. Roger Telemachus, South Africa; cricket bowler                                                                         2,742

288. Franz Fanon, Algeria; Martinique-born author of book, The Wretched Of The Earth                  2,722

288. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, South Africa; the first female foreign minister                                    2,722

290. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nigeria; veteran political leader of independence struggle                                2,694

291. Sam Mangwana, Democratic Republic of Congo; musician, Maria Tebola                             2,671

292. Shehu Shagari, Nigeria; civilian president, ousted in army coup in 1983                                      2,668

293. Suzanne Mubarak, Egypt; First Lady, wife of President Mubarak, social activist                         2,665

293. Abedi Pelé, Ghana; 1990s football striker, played for Italian team Torino                                      2,665

295. John Mashego, South Africa; professional golfer                                                                        2,649

296. Labi Siffre, Nigeria; Soul singer, 1987 hit song Something Inside So Strong                               2,625

296. Aziz Pahad, South Africa; deputy minister of foreign affairs                                                       2,625

298. Mornantau Hayward, South Africa; cricket pace man                                                                 2,610

299. Kipchoge Keino, Kenya; Olympic 1,500m and 3,000m Steeplechase champion                            2,602

300. Bernard Lagat, Kenya; 2000 Olympic 1,500m bronze medallist                                                     2,553

301. Frankie Fredericks, Namibia; silver, bronze Olympic medallist, Africa's fastest man                   2,527

302. Albert Rene, Seychelles; president since the 1970s                                                                   2,516

302. Ahmed Ben Bella, Algeria; 1960s head of state                                                                           2,516

304. Elana Meyer, South Africa; women's 1992 Olympic 10,000 metres silver medallist                    2,513

305. Raymond Kalla Nkongo, Cameroon; football defender, played in 1998 World Cup                      2,496

306. Patrick Chinamasa, Zimbabwe; attorney general                                                                         2,490

307. Corne Krige, South Africa; captain of national Rugby Union team, the Springboks                     2,485

308. Raila Odinga, Kenya; opposition politician, presidential candidate                                                 2,473

309. Hassan al-Turabi, Sudan; Islamic scholar, seen as effective power in Sudan                             2,470

309. Patrick Suffo, Cameroon; footballer, 2002 World Cup team member                                           2,470

311. Manute Bol, Sudan; seven-footer, former NBA basketball player                                                 2,453

312. Louis Motholo, South Africa; Jazz singer, guitarist                                                                      2,438

313. Fatuma Roba, Ethiopia; 1996 women's Olympic marathon champion                                           2,430

314. Liamine Zéroual, Algeria; briefly 1990s head of state                                                                 2,424

315. Philip Emeagwali, Nigeria; computer scientist, mathematician, Internet thinker                             2,410

316. Gete Wami, Ethiopia; women's 1999 World 10,000m champion, also Cross Country                  2,390

316. Moses Tanui, Kenya; long-distance athlete, two-time winner of Boston Marathon                      2,390

318. John Kufuor, Ghana; head of state, following two decades of Ft. Lt. Jerry Rawlings                 2,374

319. Andre Kolingba, Central African Republic; former head of state                                              2,353

320. Bernard Barmasai, Kenya; former world record holder, 3,000m steeplechase                            2,348

321. Cheikh Lô, Senegal; dread-locked, leading new Afro Pop singer                                                 2,347

322. Daniel Komen, Kenya; 3,000 metres world record holder                                                             2,344

323. Moussa Traoré, Mali; 1970s, 1980s military leader, later 2002 civilian president                          2,295

324. Tito Mboweni, South Africa; governor, South African central bank, the Reserve Bank              2,292

325. Ali Mazrui, Kenya; scholar, moderator of 1986 BBC TV series, The Africans                              2,275

326. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria; first independence prime minister, killed in 1966                 2,264

327. Pedro Pires, Cape Verde; president                                                                                             2,235

328. Dale Benkenstein, South Africa; cricket player                                                                            2,212

329. Nuruddin Farah, Somalia; novelist, exiled 1974, for novel Sweet and Sour Milk                            2,211

330. Joshua Nkomo, Zimbabwe; independence guerrilla leader, cabinet minister                               2,201

331. Hendrik Verwoerd, South Africa; the last Prime Minister, Union of South Africa                         2,175

332. Bryan Strang, Zimbabwe; cricket player                                                                                      2,163

333. Rudolf Straeuli, South Africa; national Rugby team coach                                                           2,147

334. Hossam Hassan, Egypt; set world record for most international football appearances               2,099

335. Lounes Matoub, Algeria; popular, assassinated Berber language singer                                    2,097

336. Noureddine Morceli, Algeria; former men's World 1,500 metres world record holder                  2,093

337. Francis Obikwelu, Nigeria; sprinter, later run for Portugal                                                            2,092

338. Hestrie Cloete, South Africa; women's Olympic high jump silver medallist, Sydney                    2,087

339. Zackie Achmat, South Africa; HIV-positive activist, rejects anti-retroviral drugs                        2,080

340. Simba Makoni, Zimbabwe; former minister of finance                                                                  2,072

341. Melchior Ndadaye, Burundi; president, assassination in 1993 sparked off civil war                   2,066

342. Johnny Paul Koroma, Sierra Leone; former military leader                                                          2,011

343. René Lacaille, Réunion; accordian player, singer of séga music                                                 1,995

344. Wouter Basson, South Africa; apartheid-era germ warfare expert, acquitted of crimes            1,977

345. Govan Mbeki, South Africa; anti-apartheid activist, late father of Thabo Mbeki                           1,960

346. Haile Gebreselassie, Ethiopia; World, Olympic 10,000m champion, record holder                       1,957

347. Tony Yengeni, South Africa; former Chief Whip of the ANC party                                              1,947

348. Joe Slovo, South Africa; late leader of South African Communist party                                      1,946

349. Omar al-Bashir, Sudan; military leader since 1989                                                                        1,944

350. Mwai Kibaki, Kenya; former vice president, later head of DP opposition party                             1,937

351. Glory Alozie, Nigeria; former national athlete, since 2000 competing for Spain                           1,934

352. Patrick Viera, Senegal; football striker in French national team                                                    1,926

353. Famoudou Konate, Senegal; musician, player of the Djembé drum                                              1,912

354. Kevin Volans, South Africa; also Irish citizen, since 1986, acclaimed international composer    1,905      

355. Tony Leon, South Africa; leader of South African opposition Democratic Party                         1,897

355. Youssef Boutros Ghali, Egypt; minister of the economy, since 1997                                           1,897

357. Mansa Musa, Mali; legendary ruler of Mali empire, made conspicuous trip to Mecca                   1,894

358. Seyoum Mesfin, Ethiopia; foreign minister                                                                                    1,882

359. Brenda Fassie, South Africa; performer of South Africa's all-time best-selling song                  1,863

360. Gerald Majola, South Africa; head, United Cricket Board of South Africa                                    1,854

361. Helen Suzman, South Africa; Jewish politician and anti-apartheid activist                                  1,834

362. Lornah Kiplagat, Kenya; marathon runner, first African woman to win Osaka Marathon             1,808

363. John Nkomo, Zimbabwe; chairman of the ruling ZANU-PF party                                                 1,804

363. Mosiuoa Lekota, South Africa; minister of defence                                                                      1,804

365. George Saitoti, Kenya; vice-president, in 2002 dismissed by President Moi                                 1,790

366. Safiya Hussaini, Nigeria; woman condemned by Islamic court in 2002 for adultery                    1,777

367. Guy Berger, South Africa; Rhodes University head of journalism department                            1,776

368. Henri Lopes, Republic of Congo; 1980s cabinet minister, also writer                                            1,768

369. Stefan Terblanche, South Africa; Rugby player                                                                             1,763

370. Tony Silva, Senegal; goalkeeper in 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, World Cup matches                   1,762

371. Daniel Amokachi, Nigeria; footballer, English premier league, later Colorado Rapids                     1,732

372. Chenjerai Hunzvi, Zimbabwe; termed "Hitler", led war veterans' seizure of white farms             1,716

373. Camara Laye, Guinea; writer, author of The Dark Child                                                              1,696

374. Hezekiel Sepeng, South Africa; athlete, Olympic 800m silver medallist                                        1,696

375. Aaron Klug, South Africa; also British citizen, winner 1982 Nobel Prize in Chemistry                 1,691

376. Francis Beybey, Cameroon; late singer-songwriter and poet                                                     1,676

377. Stella Sigcau, South Africa; minister of Public Works                                                                   1,654

378. John Kani, South Africa; theatre producer, also film producer Sarafina!, 1992                           1,651

379. Alfred Nzo, South Africa; former foreign minister, secretary general, ANC                                1,647

380. Moses Kiptanui, Kenya; three-time world 3,000m steeplechase champion                                   1,637

381. Horemheb, Egypt; ancient pharaoh, of the 19th Dynasty                                                              1,635

382. Leo Africanus, Tunisia; medieval African writer, traveler                                                            1,633

383. Merzak Allouache, Algeria; film maker, Salut Cousin (1996)                                                        1,624

384. Lobengula, South Africa; 19th century Zulu king of the Matabele people                                    1,616

384. Hissène Habré, Chad; former guerilla leader and later president                                                  1,616

386. Ali Hassan Kuban, Egypt; singer of Nubian music, from Egypt-Sudan border region                   1,599

387. Allan Boesak, South Africa; priest, anti-apartheid activist, disgraced over corruption                1,594

388. Nicky Oppenheimer, South Africa; chairman, De Beers, world's largest diamond firm                1,588

389. Chris Botha, South Africa; Rugby Union player                                                                            1,575

390. Khadja Nin, Burundi; singer of moody, fatalistic songs, Bolera                                                    1,573

391. Houari Boumedienne, Algeria; former head of state                                                                     1,570

392. Birago Diop, Senegal; veterinarian, turned writer, author of Sarzan                                            1,552

393. Moufida Tlatli, Tunisia; Arab woman film director, 1994 The Silences Of The Palace                1,545

394. Mansour Seck, Senegal; blind musician, friend, touring partner of Baaba Maal                           1,541

395. Christian Stals, South Africa; former governor of South African central bank                            1,540

396. Haile Gerima, Ethiopia; filmmaker, of slavery-themed film Sankofa                                               1,527

397. Henry Akinwande, Nigeria; a leading 1990s world heavyweight contender                               1,517

398. Constand Viljoen, South Africa; 1990s leader of right-wing Freedom Front party                      1,513

399. Douglas Marillier, Zimbabwe; cricket bowler                                                                                1,510

400. Djibril Diop Mambety, Senegal; filmmaker, Touki Bouki, (1989)                                                    1,497

401. Willem Rensburg, South Africa; politician, 19th century acting president of Transvaal               1,493

402. Walter Sisulu, South Africa; anti-apartheid activist, imprisoned with Nelson Mandela                 1,469

403. Berhane Adere, Ethiopia; women's 3,000m world record holder                                                 1,468

404. Joe Modise, South Africa; helped start ANC armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe                         1,460

405. Tokyo Sexwale, South Africa; Black empowerment business executive                                    1,452

406. Parks Mankahlana, South Africa; president Mbeki's spokesman, died in 1999                            1,443

407. Régis Gizavo, Madagascar; musician, player of the accordian                                                   1,422

408. Agbani Darego, Nigeria, in 2001, first Black African winner of Miss World beauty title               1,421

408. Kamuzu Banda, Malawi; first independence Prime Minister, later president                                 1,421

410. Leon Schuster, South Africa; lead actor in hit film Mr Bones                                                       1,414

411. Said Aouita, Morocco; men's 1984 Olympic 5,000m champion, world record holder                   1,412

412. Joao Bernardo Vieira, Guinea-Bissau; president                                                                         1,409

413. Emeka Anyaoku, Nigeria; former Commonwealth secretary general                                            1,393

414. Gamal Nkrumah, Ghana; writer, Egypt's Al-Ahram weekly, son of Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah    1,386

415. Ravindu Shah, Kenya; cricket player                                                                                             1,369

415. Brahim Boulami, Morocco; world 3,000m steeplechase record holder, failed drug test              1,369

417. Nicholas Biwott, Kenya; cabinet minister and influential figure in national politics                         1,362

418. Dani Kouyaté, Burkina-Faso; film maker, 2002 Sia, le rêve du python                                         1,357

419. Lionel Mtshali, South Africa; Prime Minister of Kwa-Zulu Natal province                                     1,352

420. Roelf Meyer, South Africa; chairman, Civil Society Initiative of South Africa                               1,350

421. Abdulsalam Abukakar, Nigeria; last military leader, 1999, before return to civilian rule                1,348

422. Albert Luthuli, South Africa; Zimbabwean-born 1960 Nobel Peace prize winner                        1,347

422. Nezha Bidouane, Morocco; women's 1997, 2001 world 400m hurdles champion                       1,347

424. John Fashanu, Nigeria; former football international, later accused of match-fixing                    1,341

425. Wilson Boit Kipketer, Kenya; 1997 world 3,000m steeplechase champion                                   1,338

426. John Vorster, South Africa; former prime minister, assassinated in parliament                          1,329

426. Nicephore Soglo, Benin; prime minister and later president                                                          1,329

428. Irma Stern, South Africa; painter, her paintings mainly on landscape, still life                             1,329

429. Hamilton Masakadza, Zimbabwe; youngest player to score century on debut Test                   1,326

430. Tijani Babangida, Nigeria; football striker, played in 1998 World Cup finals                                  1,318

431. Terence Parkin, South Africa; deaf swimmer, Africa 400m indiv. medley record holder             1,311

432. Mamphela Ramphele, South Africa; World Bank director, once lover of Steve Biko                    1,297

433. Pik Botha, South Africa; 1980s apartheid-era foreign minister                                                     1,282

434. Charles Kamathi, Kenya; won 2001 world 10,000m title, in history's biggest upsets                   1,281

435. Lamine Guèye, Senegal; politician, born in Mali, independence struggle leader                           1,278

436. Richard Limo, Kenya; 2001 world 5,000m champion                                                                     1,277

437. Roosevelt Johnson, Liberia; 1990s warlord, rival of Charles Taylor                                            1,266

438. Mahmood Mamdani, Uganda; university political science lecturer, author                                     1,263

439. Bizima Karaha, Democratic Republic of Congo; foreign minister, later rebel official                1,261

440. Dean Hall, South Africa; Rugby player                                                                                         1,254

441. Joseph Kony, Uganda; reclusive rebel leader, perpetuator of civilian atrocities                           1,253

442. Assefa Mezgebu, Ethiopia; men's 2000 Olympic 10,000m silver medallist                                   1,250

443. Reuben Kosgei, Kenya; 2000 Olympic, 2001 world 3,000m steeplechase champion                   1,249

444. Joseph Msika, Zimbabwe; 2000s vice president of Robert Mugabe                                            1,240

445. Victor Matfield, South Africa; Rugby player with Bulls team                                                        1,238

446. Thomas Odoyo, Kenya; cricket player                                                                                           1,231

447. Harry Oppenheimer, South Africa; Jewish billionaire, head of De Beers diamond firm               1,230

448. Fayza Hassan, Egypt; writer with Cairo weekly, Al-Ahram                                                          1,223

449. Jean-Marie Teno, Cameroon; film maker, Aristotle's Plot (1996)                                                 1,204

450. Peter Mokaba, South Africa; fiery official of ANC party, died 2002                                             1,199

451. Moussa Diallo, Mali; 1970s, 1980s singer, based in Denmark                                                       1,192

452. Bheki Khumalo, South Africa; spokesman for President Thabo Mbeki                                         1,180

453. Frantz Kruger, South Africa; athlete, Africa discus record holder                                              1,163

454. Chadli Bendjedid, Algeria; former military head of state                                                                1,155

455. Manuela Kamosi, DRCongo; a.k.a Ya Kid K, lead singer, 1980s band, Technotronic                   1,153

456. Anant Singh, South Africa; producer, Mr Bones, country's highest-ever grossing film              1,141

457. Koo Nimo, Ghana; guitarist, leading folk musician from the Ashante tribe                                     1,135

458. Sarah Poewe, South Africa; the country's leading breaststroke swimmer                                 1,302

459. Justin Vali, Madagascar; musicisn, player of the valiha harp, heads Justin Vali Trio                  1,221

460. Ibrahim Gambari, Nigeria; former UN representative, later UN under secretary                           1,201

461. Simeon Nyachae, Kenya; opposition leader, player in Moi succession politics                             1,180

462. Christiaan de Wet, South Africa; 19th century Boer general                                                       1,174

463. Marike de Klerk, South Africa; former First Lady, found murdered in 2001                                 1,171

464. Christon Tembo, Zambia; former vice president, led revolt against President Chiluba                 1,113

465. Jean-Bedel Bokassa, Central African Republic; made emperor at glittery 1977 event             1,111

466. Ismail Omar Guelleh, Djibouti; president, in 2000, brokered Somali peace talks                           1,109

467. Blade Nzimande, South Africa; general secretary, South African Communist Party                   1,108

467. Simon Biwott, Kenya; winner of the Berlin, Paris, and Rotterdam Marathons                               1,108

469. Sobhuza II, Swaziland; king, ruled country for 61 years until his death in 1982                           1,106

470. Nahawa Doumbia, Mali; female singer from Wassoulou region, 1988 debut album Didadi          1,358

471. Alexandre do Nascimento, Angola; Roman Catholic Cardinal                                                       1,083

472. Busi Mhlongo, South Africa; 1970s singer, dancer, exiled for her political views                       1,081

473. Tom Mboya, Kenya; 1960s foreign minister, helped draft first constitution, killed 1969                1,079

474. Ephat Mujuru, Zimbabwe; musician, of traditional Shona music, died in 2001                             1,077

475. Sally Barsosio, Kenya; former world 10,000m champion                                                              1,069

476. Ali Hassan Mwinyi, Tanzania; second president, opened economy to market forces                 1,067

477. Khedive Ismail, Egypt; 19th century ruler of Egypt, laid ground for a modern state                      1,063

478. Ibrahim Hussein, Kenya; three-time winner of Boston Marathon                                                   1,059

479. Sol Kerzner, South Africa; Jewish multimillionaire tycoon, Casino chain owner                         1,055

479. Wally Badarou, Benin; producer, co-producer of 1980s British Pop Band, Level 42                   1,055

481. John Atta Mills, Ghana; former vice president under Jerry Rawlings, lost 2000 polls                   1,052

482. Gaston Kabore, Burkina Faso; film maker, Buud Yam                                                                 1,046

482. Aster Aweke, Ethiopia; country's most popular ever female singer                                            1,046

482. Geoffrey Nyarota, Zimbabwe; editor, The Daily News, harassed by government                     1,046

485. Kennedy Otieno, Kenya; cricket player                                                                                          1,035

485. Werner Greeff, South Africa; fullback player for rugby team, The Springboks                           1,035

487. Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya; cabinet minister, in 2002 considered presidential bid                          1,034

488. Alpha Omar Konaré, Mali; 1990s president                                                                                   1,029

489. Janet Balaskas, South Africa; Yoga teacher, author, childbirth books                                        1,027

490. Stanley Mogoba, South Africa; leader of hard line Pan African Congress party                         1,025

491. Zola Budd, South Africa; bare-footed, former multiple world athletics record holder                  1,019

492. Moven Mahachi, Zimbabwe; minister of defence, died in car crash, 2001                                  1,006

492. Kalonzo Musyoka, Kenya; cabinet minister, part of 2002 KANU Rainbow Alliance                      1,006

494. Ahmed Zewail, Egypt; Egyptian-born 1999 chemistry Nobel Prize winner                                   1,002

495. Moses Isegawa, Uganda; novelist, author of Abyssinian Chronicles                                          1,000

496. Adrian Jacobs, South Africa; Rugby centre player, national team, the Springboks                     999

497. Francois Omam Biyik, Cameroon; scored first goal, 1990 World Cup soccer match                  989

498. Anil Gayan, Mauritius; foreign minister                                                                                        988

499. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Liberia; politician, first ever female presidential candidate                        978

500. Falilat Ogunkoya, Nigeria; women's Africa 400m hurdles record holder                                      968

501. Sadiq al Mahdi, Sudan; 1960s, 1980s Prime Minister, head of state                                             964

502. Mwenze Kongolo, Democratic Republic of Congo; national security minister                         957

503. Kalusha Bwalya, Zambia; 1990s captain of national football team                                               952

504. N!xau, South Africa; actor in 1981 comedy film The Gods must be crazy                                  933

504. Vuyani Bungu, South Africa; featherweight boxer                                                                      933

506. Chris McGregor, South Africa; 1960s, 1970s Jazz-Rock music pianist                                       929

507. Samuel Matete, Zambia; 1991 World 400m hurdles champion                                                      925

508. Joseph Henri, Gabon; film maker, Le Singe Fou                                                                            922

508. Pepe Kalle, DRCongo; singer of Rumba, Soukous music, died 1998                                            921

510. Cyprien Ntaryamira, Burundi; president, killed in 1994 missile attack on plane                             920

510. Ibrahim Bakayoko, Ivory Coast; top scorer, 2002 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers                     920

512. Letta Mbulu, South Africa; singer, Not Yet Uhuru, (1992), also on M. Jackson's Liberian Girl   917

513. Moise Tshombe, Democratic Republic of Congo; 1960s Prime Minister                                   913

514. David Lister, South Africa; film maker, creator of comedy Soweto Green (1963)                       911

515. Shaun Bownes, South Africa; 110m hurdles African record holder                                           894

516. Edith Masai, Kenya; Cross Country runner                                                                                    882

517. Ahmed Abdallah, Comoros; 1970s president, overthrown by army in 1975                               909

518. Specioza Wandira Kazibwe, Uganda; extra blunt, outspoken woman vice president                  882 

519. Okkert Brits, South Africa; athlete, men's Africa Pole Vault record holder                                  882

520. Pakalitha Mosisili, Lesotho; Prime Minister                                                                                    879

521. Charity Ngilu, Kenya; in 1997, first ever woman presidential candidate                                        876

522. Sibusiso Dlamini, Swaziland; prime minister, in monarchy                                                            873

523. Azali Assoumani, Comoros; military strongman, head of state                                                   868

523. Gail Johnson, South Africa; foster mother of late 12 year-old AIDS activist Nkosi                      868

525. Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Mauritius; 1960s Prime Minister                                                       865

525. Thomas N'kono, Cameroon; football goalkeeper, 1982 World Cup team                                      865

527. Emile Ilunga, Democratic Republic of Congo; leader of RCD rebel group                                 861

528. Amama Mbabazi, Uganda; defence minister, former head, foreign counterintelligence                859

529. Kizza Besigye, Uganda; main opposition candidate in 2001 presidential election                         858

530. Njabulo Ndebele, South Africa; academic, writer                                                                         851

531. Shariff Nassir, Kenya; white-haired, controversial veteran Mombasa coast politician                 850

532. Tabu Ley Rochereau, Democratic Republic of Congo; veteran singer-songwriter                 848

533. Christian Chukwu, Nigeria; coach of national team, the Super Eagles                                         844

534. David Gresham, South Africa; record company executive                                                          837

534. Negasso Gidada, Ethiopia; former state president, resigned in 2001                                           837

536. Jimmy Dludlu, South Africa; Jazz guitarist, voted country's Best Male Artist, 2002                     836

536. Hassan Gouled Aptidon, Djibouti; first president following independence in 1977                      836

538. Joseph Shabalala, South Africa; leader, acappella band, Ladysmith Black Mambazo                 828

538. Mzwakhe Mbuli, South Africa; singer, often called the People's Poet                                          828

540. Janet Museveni, Uganda; First Lady, wife of Yoweri Museveni, active with orphans                 825

541. Ken Gampu, South Africa; actor, as witch doctor in TV series Black Velvet Band                    814

542. Deepak Ram, South Africa; Indian flautist, played on Darius Brubeck 1993 album                      812

543. Salim Saleh, Uganda; b. Caleb Akandwanaho, brother of Yoweri Museveni                               808

544. Sammy Marks, South African; Jewish tycoon, built Transvaal, SA Breweries                           806

545. Vusi Kunene, South Africa; TV actor, (2001) Diamond Hunters, Final Solution                        799

546. Albert Zafy, Madagascar; former president, once co-president with Didier Ratsiraka                796

546. Stella Chiweshe, Zimbabwe; singer, player of thumb piano instrument                                      796

548. Ngugi wa Thiongo, Kenya; novelist, author of A Grain Of Wheat, The River Between                793

549. Roland Schoeman, South Africa; freestyle swimmer                                                                   787

550. Sule Lamido, Nigeria; 2000s foreign minister under president Obasanjo                                      784

551. Marien Ngouabi, Republic of Congo; 1970s head of state                                                          782

552. Ismael Isaac, Ivory Coast; biggest Ivorian reggae star since Alpha Bondy                                 779

553. Gezahegne Abera, Ethiopia; 2000 Olympic, 2001 world marathon champion                              778

554. Jean-Francois Ntoutoume Emane, Gabon; Prime Minister                                                              777

555. Lawrence Sephaka, South Africa; player with Rugby team, The Lions                                      775

556. Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya; President Moi's much-resented chosen successor in 2002                   774

556. Ladji Camara, Guinea; drummer, traditional drum skills teacher                                                    774

558. David Gitari, Kenya; outspoken Anglican archbishop, retired 2002                                               770

559. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya; first vice president, late father of Raila Odinga                        769

560. Med Hondo, Mauritania; Senegalese father, filmmaker, Les Ambassadeurs, (1976)                  766

561. Rodney Durbach, South Africa; country's top Squash player                                                     761

562. Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, South Africa; super bantam featherweight boxer                                  758

563. Ahmed Kathrada, South Africa; ethnic Indian, jailed, 1964, for anti-apartheid activity                 756

564. Mohammed Farah Aidid, Somalia; 1990s warlord, in 1992 killed 18 U.S soldiers                         755

564. Dick Tiger, Nigeria; boxer, voted Nigerian Sportsman of the Century                                           755

566. Gibson Sibanda, Zimbabwe; politician, founder of Movement for Democratic Change               754

567. Jean-Baptiste Bagaza, Burundi; former head of state, ousted, 1987, in army coup                    753

568. David Dacko, Central African Republic; overthrown, 1966, by Jean Bokassa                         751

569. Mary Onyali, Nigeria; sprinter, Olympic athlete, Africa's fastest woman                                      748

570. Joseph Kibwetere, Uganda; leader, in 2000, of world's largest-ever mass cult suicide              747

571. Jaojoby, Madagascar; veteran singer, been recording for more than 30 years                          743

572. Flora Nwapa, Nigeria; 1960s writer, novelist, EFURU (1966)                                                      741

573. Goodwill Zwelithini, South Africa; king of the Zulu people                                                           737

574. Gigi, Ethiopia; born Ejigayehu Shibabaw, 2000s female singer, Gud Fella                                  736 

575. Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria; military leader, forced stern discipline on civil service                   731

576. Sony Labou Tansi, Republic of Congo; playwright, died in 1995                                               723

576. Justin Fashanu, Nigeria; 1980s football player, committed suicide, in 1998                                 723

578. Tshala Muana, Democratic Republic of Congo; sensuous singer, Yombo, Gologota             721

578. Samuel Ramsamy, South Africa; president, South African Olympic Committee                           721

580. Sona Diabaté, Senegal; musician, singer                                                                                      720

581. John Dube, South Africa; co-founder, in 1912, of Africa's oldest political party, the ANC          716

582. Augustin Bizimungu, Rwanda; former army chief of staff, charged with 1994 genocide            713

583. Holden Roberto, Angola; 1960s, 1970s independence struggle leader                                        709

584. Douglas Hondo, Zimbabwe; cricket bowler                                                                                 705

585. Bernard Agré, Ivory Coast; Roman Catholic Cardinal                                                                   703

586. Yvonne Chaka Chaka, South Africa, singer, Umkomboti, I'm In Love With The DJ                   701

587. Ndabaningi Sithole, Zimbabwe; leading political figure of the then Rhodesia                               699

587. Hakim, Egypt, popular singer, brought innovation to sha'bi music                                                 699

589. Cetshwayo Kampande, South Africa; 19th century king of the Zulu                                           698

589. João de Matos, Angola; former army chief of staff, planned offensive against UNITA                698

589. Heide Seyerling, South Africa; female athlete, track 400m                                                           698

592. Ferhat Abbas, Algeria; freedom fighter, defeated by the French in 1898                                    691

592. Jehan Sadat, Egypt; former First Lady, author, widow of Anwar Sadat                                      691

594. Antonio Monteiro, Cape Verde; 1990s president                                                                         688

595. Magnus Malan, South Africa; 1980s apartheid-era defence minister                                          685

596. Beyers Naude, South Africa; 1960s head, South African Council of Churches                          685

597. Sylvestre Ntibantunganya, Burundi; president, overthrown by army in 1996                              679

597. Lobi Traore, Mali; singer                                                                                                                679

599. Mustafa Kemal, Egypt; 19th century politician and publisher                                                         677

600. Brian Mitchell, South Africa; former two-time world lightweight boxing champion                      674

601. Jean-Bosco Ndayikengurukiye, Burundi; leader of Hutu opposition party                                    671

602. Herman Charles Bosman, South Africa; writer Jacaranda in the Night (1947)                           670

603. Ali Triki, Libya; minister for African Affairs                                                                                    663

604. Gino Sitson, Cameroon; singer, born into musical family, also drummer, album Vocal Deliria    662

605. Grace Mugabe, Zimbabwe; First Lady, former secretary, wife of President Mugabe                662

606. Amos Sawyer, Liberia; acting president in 1990, at start of civil war                                         661

607. Henry Cele, South Africa; actor, acted as Shaka Zulu in film of the same name                        658

607. Emmanuel Amunike, Nigeria; football striker                                                                                  658

609. Charles Nqakula, South Africa; leader, South African Communist Party                                        653

609. James Kazini, Uganda; army chief of staff, commander, led operations in Congo                       653

611. Jean Ping, Gabon; minister of foreign affairs                                                                                648

612. Macias Nguema, Equatorial Guinea; dictator, ousted by military in 1979                                    646

612. Ebenezer Obey, Nigeria; also Chief Commander Obey, 1970s singer                                          646

614. Abel Muzorewa, Zimbabwe; first black Prime Minister of Rhodesia, in 1979                              635

615. Ian Kerkhof, South Africa; film director, Nice to meet you, please don't rape me                       633

616. Aminata Sow Fall, Senegal; female novelist, La Grève des bôttu (1979)                                    628

617. Hassiba Boulmerka, Algeria; women's 1992 Olympic 1,500m champion                                      626

618. William Tolbert, Liberia; president, assassinated in 1980 military coup                                        621

619. Kofi Awoonor, Ghana; academic, ambassador, writer                                                                 618

619. Chukwudifu Oputa, Nigeria; chairman, national human rights commission                                   618

621. Joseph Kasavubu, Democratic Republic of Congo; 1960s Prime Minister                               617

622. Robert Sobukwe, South Africa; founder of the radical Pan African Congress party                  615

623. Florence Wambugu, Kenya; scientist, advocates use of genetically modified food                      611

624. Patricia Oluchi Onweagba, Nigeria; fashion model, 1998 first M-Net Face of Africa                   610

625. Chioma Ajunwa, Nigeria; women's 1996 Olympic Long Jump champion                                      609

625. Credonia Mwerinde, Uganda; co-architect of March 2000 mass church cult killings                    609

627. Jonas Gwangwa, South Africa; 1970s Jazz trombonist player, with Hugh Masekela                601

627. Amanda Botha, South Africa; journalist                                                                                        601

627. Delarey du Preez, South Africa; Rugby player, hooker for Lions team                                        601

630. Willem Pretorius, South Africa; 19th century prime minister of South Africa                               599

631. Anton Rupert, South Africa; multimillionaire businessman, philanthropist                                    598

632. Charles Onyango-Obbo, Uganda; newspaper socio-political affairs columnist                            597

633. Queen Modjadji, South Africa; ruler of the Sotho people, also known as Rain Queen                587

634. Joe van Niekerk, South Africa; Rugby player, Lions team                                                            586

634. Esther Wanjiru, Kenya; marathon runner                                                                                       586

636. Barney Barnato, South Africa; Jewish millionaire, founded De Beers diamond firm                    583

637. Alex La Guma, South Africa; novelist, short story writer, The Stone Country                            580

638. Hilla Limann, Ghana; briefly civilian president, overthrown in 1981 by Jerry Rawlings                578

639. Henry Rono, Kenya; in 1978, holder of five middle, long distance track world records                570

640. Michelle McLean, Namibia; former Miss Universe                                                                         562

641. Robert John Lange, South Africa; producer of Rock groups Foreigner, Def Leppard                 560

642. Boncana Maiga, Mali; multi-instrumentalist, also one of West Africa's best music producers      558

643. Tony Trahar, South Africa; chief executive, Anglo America mining company                             554

644. Okot P'Bitek, Uganda; poet, Song Of Lawino                                                                                 553

645. Léon Mba, Gabon; first Prime Minister after independence, in 1960                                             550

646. Eriya Kategaya, Uganda; First Deputy Prime Minister, former foreign minister                              548

646. Mpule Kwelagobe, Botswana; winner of 1999 Miss Universe beauty pageant title                     548

648. Margaret Gardiner, South Africa; winner of 1974 Miss World Beauty pageant title                    547

648. Kenneth Matiba, Kenya; former cabinet minister, later opposition party leader                             547

650. Edem Kodjo, Togo; former secretary general of the OAU                                                             544

651. Cosmas Ndeti, Kenya; three-time winner of Boston Marathon                                                      543

651. Isaac Boakye, Ghana; football striker, in Ghana's 2002 Africa Cup of Nations bid                       543

653. Alex Ekwueme, Nigeria; former vice president, 1978-1983                                                          540

654. Miruts Yifter, Ethiopia; Olympic 5,000m, 10,000 m gold medals, 1980, Moscow                          538

655. Adu Boahen, Ghana; historian, author of books on West African history                                    537

656. Helen Martins, South Africa; artist, reclusive, died in 1976                                                          536

657. Jakaya Kikwete, Tanzania; 2000s foreign minister under president Mkapa                                 532

658. Mohamed Sayed Tantawi, Egypt; Islamic cleric, Grand Iman of Al-Azhar University                    532

659. Maciré Sylla, Guinea; 2000s singer, frequently tours Europe                                                       529

660. Frans Ludeke, South Africa; coach, Lions Rugby team                                                               529

661. Sheila Sisulu, South Africa; ambassador to the United States                                                     524

662. Noah Samara, Ethiopia; founder, chairman, World Space satellite radio company                      523

663. Agathe Uwilingiyimana, Rwanda; woman Prime Minister, assassinated, April 1994                    521

664. Kante Manfila, Guinea; guitarist, musician                                                                                     518

664. Dimi Mint Abba, Mauritania; female singer, Mauritania's best-known musician                            518

666. Leon Boshoff, South Africa; hooker with Lions rugby team                                                        516

667. Ramose, Egypt; ancient pharaoh, governor of Thebes, tomb in present-day Luxor                     515

668. Abeid Karume, Tanzania; from Zanzibar island, former Tanzanian vice president                      510

669. Zahra Ouaziz, Morocco; women's Africa 3,000m record holder                                                 508

670. Florence Barsosio, Kenya; marathon runner                                                                                 506

671. Gloria Bosman, South Africa; Black Jazz singer, composer, Welela, Slowly                              500

672. Kingsley Moghalu, Nigeria; human rights official, with UN operations in Cambodia                      499

673. Helene Muller, South Africa; freestyle swimmer                                                                          498

674. Daniel Opande, Kenya; peacekeeping brigadier, part of Liberia, Sierra Leone efforts                 495

675. Wiseman Nkuhlu, South Africa; head, s. African development bank, Mbeki advisor                   495

676. Safi Faye, Senegal; film maker, Mossane (1996)                                                                         486

677. Hatsepsut, Egypt; queen of ancient Egypt                                                                                     481

677. Labib Habachi, Egypt; historian and Egyptologist                                                                          481

677. Silas Nkanunu, South Africa; president, South African Rugby Football Union                             481

680. Olisa Agbakoba, Nigeria; human rights activist, lawyer                                                                480

681. Diblo Dibala, Democratic Republic of Congo; one of Africa's best ever guitarists                   478

682. Dedan Kimathi, Kenya; dreadlocked Kikuyu freedom fighter, Mau Mau movement                        477

682. Louis Mhlanga, Zimbabwe; member of South African-based Jazz Brew Band                          477

684. Garfield Todd, Zimbabwe; New Zealand-born former prime minister of then Rhodesia              475

685. Mohamed Camara, Guinea; film maker, Dakan (1996)                                                                  471

686. Nacer Khemir, Tunisia; director, actor, screen writer, Tawk al hamama al mafkoud                 468

687. Everard Read, South Africa; dealer in fine art collections, especially paintings                          465

688. Clive Calder, South Africa; founder, 1975, Zomba Records, feat. star Britney Spears               464

689. Sipho Mchunu, South Africa; member, with Johnny Clegg, of acclaimed 1980s group Juluka    464

690. Babacar N'Diaye, Senegal; chairman, African Development Bank                                               462

691. Tony Cox, Zimbabwe; guitarist, album Matabele Ants                                                                 457

691. Tunde Adebimpe, Nigeria; Hollywood actor                                                                                  457

691. Charlene Wittstock, South Africa; backstroke swimmer                                                              457

694. André Ntagerura, Rwanda; former minister of Transport, implicated in 1994 genocide                448

695. Jeremy Ord, South Africa; chief executive, Data Dimension, software company                       444

696. Yusuf Dadoo, South Africa; Indian, 1960s anti-apartheid activist, detained by government       439

697. Piet Krause, South Africa; rugby player, flank with Lions team                                                   435

698. Ernest Shonekan, Nigeria; briefly, 1993, civilian head of state, before Sani Abacha                   433

698. Theophilus Danjuma, Nigeria; former army chief of staff, later defence minister                         433

700. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Mauritius; former prime minister                                                       432