5 Unsung African Greats

Joyce Banda
In an often male-dominated continent, the emergence of a female President is a cause for celebration. Banda has been the leader of Malawi since 2012, and is a shining example of empowerment for women across the continent. She founded the Joyce Banda Foundation for Better Education and has been involved with various philanthropic endeavours in the country.


 Rudi van Vuuren

2003 was a busy year for van Vuuren. He played for Namibia in both the Rugby and Cricket World Cup, a feat unmatched before or since. Not only showing prowess in world of sport, he is also a qualified doctor and runs a conservation organisation that protects Namibia's animals and provides healthcare to the indigenous San community. Not bad, huh?

Freddie Mercury - Zanzibar

Farrokh Bulsara

Not a name that rolls off the tongue, but you might know his stage name: Freddie Mercury. Born in Zanzibar off the East African coast, Mercury became a music icon as the lead singer of Queen. His flamboyant on and off-stage persona made him legendary and his untimely death in 1991 sent shockwaves around the world.

Sid James

Born Solomon Cohen in Johannesburg in 1913, James served in the South African Army in World War II. He rose to stardom in post-war Britain, becoming a star of the cult Carry On franchise. He took his on-screen lothario persona into his private life as well, having a well-publicised affair with actress Barbara Windsor.

Navi Pillay - South African

Navi Pillay

Born in Durban in 1941, she gained a BA from the University of Natal and became the first non-White woman to have a law practice in the province. Pillay defended anti-apartheid activists in her native country and later headed the Rwanda Tribunal, helping bring to justice some of the most evil war criminals in Africa. She is now the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights.