Politicians

• Frank Chikane (born 1951), Anti-Apartheid Movement activist and lifelong resident

• Geoff Makhubo (1968-2021), politician, Mayor of Johannesburg

• Popo Molefe (born 1952), politician, first Premier of North West province. Chairman of Boards of Directors of State Owned Companies

• Tshepo Motsepe (born 1953), Medical doctor, Wife of President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa. First lady of South Africa. Older sister of business tycoons, Patrice Motsepe & Bridgette Radebe

• Angie Motshekga (born 1955), National minister of the Department of Basic Education

• Cyril Ramaphosa (born 1952), lawyer, trade union leader, activist, politician and businessman, current President of South Africa.

• Parks Tau (1970), National Deputy Minister of Co-operative Governance & Traditional affairs.

Anti-Apartheid activists

• Teboho MacDonald Mashinini (1957-1990), primary student leader of the June, 1976 Soweto uprising, that spread across South Africa

• Andrew Mlangeni (1925-2020), Anti-Apartheid Movement activist and co-accused in the Rivonia Trial

Businesspeople

• Basetsana Kumalo (born 1974), Media personality, businesswoman, executive boardmember, investor, also held the position of President of the Business Women's Association of South Africa. Co-founder of Tswelopele Production Company, as well as an eyewear and clothing range, former Miss Soweto 1990 & Miss South Africa 1994

• Precious Moloi-Motsepe (born 1964), Businesswoman, medical doctor, philanthropist. Founder of African Fashion International-Company that ran the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, in Johannesburg & Cape Town. Founder of the Motsepe Family Foundation. Wife of mining billionaire and Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. chairman, Patrice Motsepe.

• Tokyo Sexwale (born 1953), businessman and former politician, Anti-Apartheid Movement activist, and political prisoner

• Mfundi Vundla (born 1946), Founder of Morula Pictures, television producer, Businessman. Creator & Executive Producer of Generations (South African TV series), Generations: The Legacy & Backstage (2000 TV series) television shows

Academics & Top Public Officials

• Sisi Khampepe (born 1957), Constitutional Court of South Africa judge

• Kgosi Letlape (born 1959), South Africa's first black ophthalmologist

• Thuli Madonsela (born 1962), former Public Protector of South Africa, advocate and professor of law

• Mandla Mandela (born 1974) tribal chief of the Mvezo Traditional Council and the grandson of icon Nelson Mandela

• Zindzi Mandela-Hlongwane (1960-2020), South African diplomat (Former ambassador to Denmark) and poet, and the daughter of Anti-Apartheid Movement activists and politicians Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

Actors & Actress

• Mampho Brescia (born 1977), actress

• Pallance Dladla (born 1992), actor

• Sindi Dlathu (born 1974), actress

• Zethu Dlomo (born 1989), actress

• Lillian Dube (born 1945), actress, TV personality

• Ntando Duma (born 1995), actress, musician, TV personality

• Cedric Anthony Fourie (born 1990), actor

• Howza (born 1983), actor, TV personality, musician

• Amos Ketlele, actor

• Vusi Kunene (born 1966), actor

• Sello Maake Ka-Ncube (born 1960), actor (Born in Soweto, raised in Atteridgeville, Pretoria)

• Motlatsi Mafatshe (born 1984), actor

• Joe Mafela (1942 – 2017), comedian, actor, singer

• Lerato Makhetha (born 1986), actor and musician. Son of actor Jerry Mofokeng

• Lawrence Maleka (born 1990), actor & presenter

• Paballo Mavundla (born 1999), actor

• Bubu Mazibuko (born 1975), actress

• Khanyi Mbau (born 1985), actress and television personality

• Bonnie Mbuli (born 1979), actress

• Eric Miyeni (born 1966), actor, author, director, radio presenter

• Don Mlangeni Nawa (born 1959), actor

• Enhle Mlotshwa (born 1988), actress

• Jerry Mofokeng (born 1956), actor

• Lerato Mvelase (born 1982), actress

• Siphesihle Ndaba (born 1997), actress

• Sophie Ndaba (born 1973), actress

• Themba Ndaba (born 1965), actor

• Simphiwe Ngema (born 1989), actress, singer, MC

• Wright Ngubeni (born 1988), actor, director

• Ronnie Nyakale (born 1973), actor

• Nandi Nyembe (born 1950), actress

• Sibusiso Radebe (1982-2020), former child star, actor, dancer

• Manaka Ranaka (born 1979), actress

• Buhle Samuels (born 1990), actress & TV presenter

• Linda Sebezo (born 1964), actress

• Rapulana Seiphemo (born 1967), actor

• Angela Sithole (born 1993), actress

• Nyalleng Thibedi (born 1980), actress

• Treasure Tshabalala (born 1952), actor, radio host, voice over artist

• Mary Twala (1939-2020), actress, widow of famous comedian, Ndaba Mhlongo & mother of Somizi Mhlongo

• Motshabi Tyelele (born 1969), actress, playwright, voice coach

Musicians & Music industry leaders

• Benjamin Dube (born 1962), gospel singer, songwriter, producer, pastor

• Yvonne Chaka Chaka (born 1965), Singer, songwriter, businesswoman. Nicknamed the Princess of Africa

• Flabba (rapper) (1977-2015), rapper (Born in Orlando, Soweto, raised in Alexandra, Gauteng)

• Molemo Maarohanye *famously known as Jub Jub (*born 1980), Hip Hop artist, TV presenter

• Jonas Gwangwa (1937-2021), jazz musician, songwriter, producer

• Jabu Khanyile (1957-2006), musician and lead vocalist from the band Bayete

• Sibongile Khumalo (1957-2021), singer

• K.O (rapper) (born 1989), rapper. Born in Soweto raised in Piet Retief, Mpumalanga

• Abigail Kubeka (born 1939), singer, actress

• Bakithi Kumalo (born 1956), bass guitar player

• Jack Lerole (1940 – 2003), musician, famous for Tin whistle (also known as penny whistle) performance

• Mara Louw (born 1957), singer & actress

• Lebo M. (born 1964), musician, producer, composer. Most well-known for composing music for the highly-successful, world famous The Walt Disney Company animated movie, The Lion King (soundtrack), most notably the hit song, Hakuna Matata

• MarcAlex, pop music group

• Kabelo Mabalane (born 1976), nicknamed Bouga Luv, Kwaito Musician member of famous Kwaito music group TKZee, TV presenter, pastor

• Sipho Mabuse (born 1951), nicknamed Hotstix, Musician & former lead singer of famous band Harari

• Arthur Mafokate (born 1962), musician, producer. Founder and owner of 999 records

• Mahoota - DJ, kwaito musician, producer, most famously known as a member of kwaito group, Trompies

• Blondie Makhene (born 1955), musician

• Mandoza (1978-2016), Kwaito musician & former member of Kwaito music famous group Chiskop

• Mdu Masilela (born 1970), Kwaito musician, producer, nicknamed the Godfather of Kwaito music

• Letta Mbulu (born 1942), jazz singer, songwriter & wife of famous musician Caiphus Semenya

• Buhlebendalo Mda (born 1996), singer, most famously known for being a member of music group, The Soil

• Tsakani Mhinga famously known as TK (1978-2006), rnb singer

• Mandla Mofokeng famously known asSpikiri (born 1967), Kwaito musician, most well-known for being a member of famed Kwaito music group Trompies

• Kamo Mphela (born 1999), AmaPiano dancer and singer

• Mshoza (1983-2020), Kwaito musician, dancer, record producer

• Mzambiya (born 1986), Kwaito Musician

• Pitch Black Afro (born 1979), Kwaito musician

• Samthing Soweto (born 1988), musician, former memeber of famous acapella music group The Soil

• Thembi Seete (born 1977), musician most famously known as one of the lead singers of famous music group Boom Shaka, actress (Born in Soweto, raised in Sebokeng)

• Caiphus Semenya (born 1939), composer and musician, husband of famous jazz musician Letta Mbulu

• Sello Chicco Twala (born 1963), musician, producer, most well-known for being the highly successful music producer of South African pop music legend Brenda Fassie

• Priddy Ugly (born 1992), rapper

• Prokid (1981-2018), rapper

• Soweto Gospel Choir

• Soweto String Quartet

• Splash (South African band)

• Skwatta kamp

• The Soil

• Trompies

• Zola (musician) born 1977), Kwaito musician, actor, former TV presenter & creator of hit TV show Zola 7

Media Personalities

• Carol Bouwer (born 1974), TV personality, actress, producer, businesswoman

• Ms Cosmo (born 1988), radio DJ, MC & VJ

• DJ Glen Lewis (born 1975), Radio DJ, TV presenter

• Lerato Kganyago (born 1983), television personality, DJ, model, businesswoman and socialite

• Penny Lebyane (born 1976), TV presenter & personality

• Kefilwe Mabote (born 1989), TV personality, fashion and lifestyle blogger

• Maps Maponyane (born 1990), TV presenter, fashion designer, actor

• Somizi Mhlongo (born 1974), TV personality, Idols South Africa judge, choreographer

• Bontle Modiselle (born 1990), dancer & TV personality

• Refilwe Modiselle (born 1986), model and entertainer. Older sister to TV personality & dancer Bontle Modiselle & actress & TV presenter Candice Modiselle

• Trevor Noah (born 1984), comedian, television and radio host and actor, TV host of the international comedy talk show The Daily Show

• Khabonina Qubeka (born 1981), TV personality, socialite, actress, dancer, choreographer, fitness and wellness coach

• Lungile Radu (born 1975), TV presenter, director, Production company co-owner

• Dineo Ranaka (born 1983), TV presenter, radio DJ & actress

• Thando Thabethe (born 1990), actress, radio DJ, TV presenter

• Redi Tlhabi (born 1978), TV & radio presenter, M, author & columnist

• Carol Tshabalala (born 1981), Sports TV host, producer and voice over artist.

• Shado Twala (born 1958), radio DJ, journalist, entrepreneur

• Zodwa Wabantu (born 1985), dancer, TV personality and socialite

Religious leaders

• Vicentia Kgabe, anglican priest and academic

Sports people

• Keanu Grégory Cupido (born 1998), football player

• Josta Dladla (born 1979), football player

• Morgan Gould (born 1983), Association footballer player

• Thulani Hlatshwayo (born 1989), captain of Orlando Pirates & the South Africa national football team

• Doctor Khumalo nicknamed 16v (born 1967), footballer player, widely considered one of the greatest footballers in South African football history

• Thabang Lebese (1973-2012), football player

• Jacob Lekgetho (1974-2008), football player

• Zakhele Lerato Lepasa (born 1997), football player

• Reneilwe Letsholonyane (born 1982), football player

• Dikgang Mabalane (born 1979), football player

• Mike Mangena nicknamed Ace (born 1960), former football player, football analyst

• Marks Maponyane (born 1962), former football player & TV sports presenter

• Ephraim Mashaba (born 1950) nicknamed Shakes, football manager & former player

• Mlungisi Mdluli (born 1980), football player

• Brighton Mhlongo (born 1991), football player

• Teko Modise (born 1982), football player

• John Moeti, (born 1967), football player

• Lebohang Mokoena (born 1986), football player

• Teboho Moloi (born 1968), football player

• Thabo Mooki (born 1974), football player

• Kaizer Motaung nicknamed Chincha Guluva (born 1944), founder and chairman of Kaizer Chiefs F.C.

• Sifiso Myeni (born 1988), football player

• Clifford Ngobeni (born 1987), football player

• Manqoba Ngwenya (born 1981), football player

• Siyabonga Nhlapo (born 1988), football player

• Cyril Nzama (born 1974), football player

• Thuso Phala (born 1986), football player

• Lucas Radebe nicknamed Rhoo (born 1969), footballer, former Leeds United F.C. and South Africa national football team captain

• Godfrey Sapula (born 1973), football player

• Rudolph Seale (born 1966), football player

• Gerald Sibeko (born 1979), football player

• Thulani Serero (born 1990), football player

• Luther Singh (born 1997), football player

• Jomo Sono (born 1955), star Orlando Pirates player widely considered one of the greatest footballers in South African football history, later founder, owner and coach of South African football team Jomo Cosmos F.C.

• Thabang Stemmer (born 1979), football player

• Dingaan Thobela (born 1966), boxer, famously nicknamed the Rose of Soweto

• Siphiwe Tshabalala (born 1984), footballer most notably for Kaizer Chiefs F.C. & the South Africa national football team, world famous for scoring the opening goal at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, later nominated for the FIFA Puskás Award.

• Benedict Vilakazi (association football) nicknamed Tso (born 1982), footballer

• Sibusiso Vilakazi (born 1989), football player

• Excellent Walaza (born 1987), footballer

• Arthur Zwane nicknamed 10111 (born 1973), football player, Premier Soccer League coach

Artists, authors & poets

• Ndaba Mandela (born 1982) author, mentor, spokesperson, entrepreneur, political consultant, and the grandson of Nelson Mandela. (Born in Soweto, raised in the Eastern Cape)

• Mzwakhe Mbuli (born 1959), nicknamed The People's Poet (born 1959), poet, musician

Famous residents born outside of Soweto

• Emtee (rapper) (born 1992), rapper

• Brenda Fassie (1964 – 2004), Anti-Apartheid Movement Afropop singer, songwriter, dancer and activist. described as the Queen of African Pop, the "Madonna of The Townships" or simply as The Black Madonna.

• Daphney Hlomuka (1949-2008), actress, most famously known for starring as Sis' May on famous sitcom S'gudi sNayis alongside Joe Mafela

• Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (1936-2018) Anti-Apartheid Movement activist and politician, ex-wife of Nelson Mandela

• Gibson Kente (1932–2004), playwright

• Irvin Khoza (born 1948), South African football administrator, Chairman of Orlando Pirates

• Aggrey Klaaste (1940–2004), newspaper journalist and former editor most famously of The Sowetan

• Nelson Mandela (1918–2013), President of South Africa, anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader and peace activist, spent many years living in Soweto; his Soweto home in Orlando is currently a major tourist attraction

• Richard Maponya (1920-2020), millionaire businessman & Anti-Apartheid Movement activist, Founder & former owner of Maponya Mall, Soweto

• Thandiswa Mazwai (born 1976), musician, most famously known as the lead vocalist and songwriter of Bongo Maffin

• Salamina Mosese (born 1983), actress. Wife of rapper and actor Howza

• John Moshoeu nicknamed Shoes (1965-2015), football player

• Patrice Motsepe (born 1962), Billionaire mining magnate & one of Africa's wealthiest men. Founder of South Africa's first black owned mining company, African Rainbow Minerals, non-excecutive chairman of Harmony Gold (mining), non-excutive chairman of Sanlam. Chairman of Mamelodi Sundowns F.C.

• Lillian Ngoyi (1911–1980), Anti-Apartheid Movement activist, who spent 18 years under house arrest in Mzimhlope

• Hector Pieterson (1964–1976), the first student to be killed during the 1976 Soweto uprising who features in an iconic press photograph of the event; has a memorial and museum named after him in Orlando, Soweto

• Percy Qoboza (1938–1988), newspaper journalist and editor

• Gerard Sekoto (1913–1993), artist, lived in Kliptown before emigrating to France in 1947

• Albertina Sisulu (1918-

• Adelaide Tambo (1929-2007), Anti-Apartheid Movement activist. Wife of the Anti-Apartheid Movement activist and former President of the African National Congress, Oliver Tambo

• Desmond Tutu (born 1931), Nobel Peace Prize laureate, cleric and activist who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s through his opposition to apartheid^[1]