Top 20 Coolest South Africans in 2022

Top 20 Coolest South Africans in 2022. When it comes to producing talented stars, South Africa is up there with some of the best countries in the world. In almost every international award ceremony, a South African personality has to walk away with an award. Some of our personalities are doing amazing things here at home, and we are also proud of them.

1. Black Coffee

This is a man of many firsts. Black Coffee, has just bagged his first Grammy award for the Best Dance/Electronic Music Album for his album, Subconsciously. He is the first African DJ to win a Grammy and a BET Award. Coffee is also the first African DJ to go on a world tour. He is also the most awarded DJ in Africa, with several international awards.

2. Thuso Mbedu

Ever since moving to America a few years ago, Thuso Mbedu has been owning Hollywood, all thanks to her performance as Cora in the The Underground Railroad. She has been bagging major international awards including TV Breakout Star at the Hollywood Critic’s Association Awards 2021, Outstanding Performance in a New Series Award at the Gotham Awards 2021 and Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series award at the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards.

3. Redi Tlhabi

Here is another one of our personalities who we know will make us proud internationally. Veteran journalist, author and media personality Redi Tlhabi has joined the BBC News World, and we are here for it. Tlhabi will present global news, current affairs including conducting compelling interviews on BBC World Service radio. Here at home, she has done amazing things as a media personality, fearless journalist and author.

4. Trevor Noah

Trevor Noah has transitioned from representing South Africa to now carrying the whole Africa in his back. The multi-award winning comedian, TV personality and author started making a name of himself abroad hosting the Daily Show . Now he is one of the go to people in America when it comes to hosting major awards. Trevor has hosted the Grammy Awards not once, but two times consecutively, and both times he did a stellar job.

5. Nomzamo Mbatha

Another one of our personalities making SA proud abroad is Nomzamo Mbatha. Since her move to the US, she bagged a lead role in Paramount’s Coming 2 America and has a new role in the forthcoming thriller Soul Assassin, alongside Bruce Willis. Nomzamo is also touching the hearts of many through her humanitarian work. She has been serving as a LuQuLuQu High Profile Supporter for several years and is a Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

6. Bonang Matheba

When it comes to our entertainment industry, Bonang Matheba is a force to be reckoned with. As much as she hasn’t been in the game for sometime to concentrate on her business, Bonang is still the reigning queen. Her flamboyant presenting skills and her signature voice makes every event she host a success. Just recently the multi-award winning media personality hosted the star studded gala dinner welcoming Real Housewives of Lagos cast in SA.

7. Dineo Ranaka

Love her or hate her, Dineo Ranaka is the girl she thinks she as an entertainer and businesswoman. She might not have tapped in the international scene as yet, but she is doing the things that needs to be done locally. Among many things, Dineo is a talented media personality, a reality TV star, a producer, with a few TV shows under her production company and a recording musician. She has just launched her own podcast titled Open ID With Dineo with her ex boyfriend and baby daddy Blacklez as her first guest.

8. Pearl Thusi

She may not be a favorite with Black Twitter, but her talent and achievements can’t be dimmed by anything. The talented actress, media personality and entrepreneur has done amazing things here at home and internationally. Pearl stars in Wu Assasins Season II, a Netflix series that has just been released, and she has been getting praises since. Legendary American rapper and multi award winning actress Queen Latifah sent Pearl a beautiful message for the amazing job she did, and also said one day they might get to work together.

9. Lerato Kganyago

Lerato Kganyago is all about building her empire. Quite often, when women marry rich men, they tend to slow down and neglect their own dreams. As for Lerato, she is not about that life and keeps on chasing her dreams. On top of being an award winning media personality and club DJ, she is also a smart entrepreneur with a number of ventures under her belt. Lerato has her won eyelash brand as well as sanitary pads brand. She recently increased her business ventures, to become the 3rd owner of 12 on Hillel Villa and Spa, which is located in Northcliff, Johannesburg.

10. DJ Zinhle

She is one of the most decorated female DJs in Africa. Among the many awards she has bagged include Africa’s number 1 female DJ on DjaneTop list of 2021, Forbes Woman Africa Entertainer Award in 2020 and Top Female DJ in Africa for the 2nd year in a row in 2019 and 2018. When it comes to celebrities in business, no one does it like her. DJ Zinhle runs a multiple of successful businesses, and her empire keeps on growing. Her business ventures include, Era By DJ Zihnle, Jiyane Atelier, Air Bnb rentals as well as her most recent one, Hair Majesty.

11. Mihlali Ndamase

She is one of those personalities who found fame through YouTube. While many dismiss her talents, Mihlali Ndamase is cashing in on it. Apart from being a beauty content creator, Mihlali is also an actress as well as a TV personality. Her work also gets recognized and in 2021, she walked away with the Social Media Personality of the Year at the South African Social Media Awards. In the same year, Mihlali was also nominated at the People’s Choice Awards for the African Social Star award. One of her major achievements was being among the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 inspirational young people at the tender age of 24.

12. Uncle Waffles

She is a perfect example that once you get an opportunity in life, run with it. A year ago, Uncle Waffles couldn’t have imagined in her wildest dreams that her life would turn out like this. The talented youngster took social media by storm with her infectious dance moves as she deejayed in front of a packed crowd. The video trended far and wide and was even viewed by international rapper, Drake, who now follows Uncle Waffles on Instagram. DJ recently got officially verified on Twitter, which proves of how much a force she has become.

13. Major League DJz

After making such an impressive mark locally, the duo is now showing the rest of the world what hey are made of. Just recently, the Major League DJz got nominated at the 2022 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. They will be battling it out for the Favourite African Star alongside other talented. Taking things a notch up, the duo have just announced that they are on the Coachella 2022, lineup. Talk about taking Amapiano genre to the world! The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival will begin on Friday, 15 April and end on Sunday, 24 April 2022.

14. DBN Gogo

It goes without saying that DBN Gogo has taken the South African music scene by storm. The talented musician, music producer, and professional dick jockey is best known by many for the Lockdown House Party that played on Channel O. A couple of weeks back, DBN Gogo brought the house down during her performance on Big Brother Mzansi. She recently took to Instagram and said she would be “pushing amapiano” at the US Coachella festival with Major League DJz. DBN Gogo will headline the final day of the second weekend of Coachella on April 24. 

15. DJ Maphorisa

You can’t talk about Amapiano without mentioning Maphorisa, because he is one of the biggest influencers of the genre. The award winning musician and producer has worked with and has received production credits from several notable artists, including Wizkid, Sizwe Alakine, Kwesta, Uhuru, Drake, Black Coffee, Major Lazer,among many others. Phori has also played a role in helping the upcoming artists, either with features or mentorship.

16. Kabza de Small

Kabza de Small among the most successful musicians of our time. He is among the local talents billed to perform at the Vic Falls Carnival later this month. The award winning record producer is often referred to as the “King of Amapiano,” having played a major role in popularizing the genre. Almost every song of his is a national anthem sung at every occasion. This is the man who used to work for the local municipality, cutting grass and doing handy jobs such as plumbing and fixing sewage drains.

17. Makhadzi

She is a true example of resilience as well as dedication, having started from the very bottom. Her career started at the age of 12, used to perform at Taxi ranks, getting money from people’s offerings. Makhadzi’s 2020 album Kokovha became one of her biggest successes and debuted at number one on the South African iTunes albums charts. At the 6th ceremony of All Africa Music Awards, she received a nomination for Best Female Artist in South Africa. Makhadzi is definitely the new African queen of entertainment.

18. Master KG

Master KG took the international scene by storm and got the whole world dancing with just one song. He released Jerusalema in December 2019, featuring Nomcebo Zikode. In mid-2020, the song went viral online, charting internationally and spawning a remix with Burna Boy. The song earned him the MTV Europe Music Awards, NJR Music Awards in France, Feather Awards, and African Muzik Magazine Awards. At 2020 edition of African Muzik Magazine Awards he took-home three awards Best Male Southern Africa, Best Collaboration, Song of the Year and Artist of the Year Award. In September 2021, he embarked to Jerusalem Live Concert Tour to United Kingdom in support of his album, toured with Zanda Zakuza

19. Andile Mpisane

Despite the negativity directed to him on social media, Andile Mpisane continues to soar. Many people say he is successful because of his mother Shauwn Mkhize, but whatever the case, he is constantly making major moves. Among other things, Andile is a soccer player, a reality TV star, a musician as well as the chairman of Royal AM. He became the first South African to perform at the Legendz of The Streetz Tour recently at the invitation of US rapper Rick Ross. A couple of weeks ago, Andile inked a music deal with Def Jam Recordings Africa.

20. Pitso Mosimane

When it comes to sports, one person representing South Africa well abroad is Pitso Mosimane . In September 2020, Mosimane became the head coach of Al Ahly, making him the first non-Egyptian African to manage the club. He then them to their 9th CAF Champions league title. On December 6th 2020, he led Al Ahly to win the Egyptian Cup. He guided the football club to win the final of the African Super Cup in Qatar. Locally he has won multiple major trophies with SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns.