2017 MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG SOUTH AFRICANS

Official Final Ranking

  1. Dr. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi
  2. Percy Tau
  3. Nomzamo Mbatha
  4. Dr Sandile Kubheka
  5. Cassper Nyovest
  6. Trevor Noah
  7. Mabutho Mthembu
  8. DJ Zinhle
  9. Bonang Matheba
  10. Caster Semenya
  11. Lethabo Motswaledi
  12. AKA
  13. Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng
  14. Bokang Lemaoana
  15. Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters
  16. Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh
  17. Botlhale Boikanyo
  18. Tiyani Majoko
  19. Babes Wodumo
  20. Thabo Msibi
  21. Nontokozo Madonsela
  22. Sylvester Chauke
  23. Wayde van Niekerk
  24. Amanda Black
  25. Tebogo Ditshego
  26. Raymond Ledwaba
  27. Catherine Constantinides
  28. Itumeleng Khune
  29. Anele Mdoda
  30. Gift Lubele
  31. Kagiso Rabada
  32. Erna Basson
  33. Dikeledi A. Mokoena
  34. Vumile Msweli
  35. Vukile Manzi
  36. Khethi Ngwenya
  37. Lynette Ntuli
  38. Fulufhelo Ramulifho
  39. Jessica Nkosi
  40. Pearl Thusi
  41. Sophie Kanza
  42. Nasty C
  43. Dr Nokwethemba M.-Hadebe
  44. Nthabiseng Mosia
  45. Lebang Nong
  46. Faith Mangope
  47. Madoda Khuzwayo
  48. Pearl Modiadie
  49. Busisiwe Selesho
  50. Maps Maponyane
  51. Andile Jali
  52. Faraimose Kutadzaushe
  53. Luyolo Mphithi ‎
  54. Achumile Majija
  55. Thando Thabethe
  56. Thato Kgatlhanye
  57. Tefo Tlale
  58. Zulaikha Patel
  59. Dr Yudhvir Seetharam
  60. Akani Simbine
  61. Yolanda Zoleka Cuba
  62. Berno Potgieter
  63. Doug Hoernle
  64. Mukovhe Morris Masutha
  65. Koketso Moeti
  66. Emmanuel Bonoko
  67. Bongani Baloyi Midvaal
  68. Bontle Modiselle
  69. Mabine Seabe
  70. Allegro Dinkwanyane
  71. Ntando Duma
  72. Asanda Sizani
  73. Roger Goode
  74. Evans Manyonga
  75. Phumlani M. Majozi
  76. Tumi Voster
  77. Marcus Swanepoel
  78. Thabo Makhetha
  79. Karen Nadasen
  80. Hlomela Bucwa
  81. Loyiso Gola
  82. Amanda du Pont
  83. Trevor Wolfe
  84. Anatii
  85. Maya Wegerif
  86. Bongani Zungu
  87. Khanya Mkangisa
  88. Patson Malisa
  89. Rich Mnisi
  90. Matt Putman
  91. Frederick Bohasu
  92. Sanele Junior Xaba
  93. Tahir Sema
  94. Emtee
  95. Elaine Bergenthuin
  96. Sushila Dhever
  97. Eugene Khoza
  98. Dean Furman
  99. Rushil Vallabh
  100. Thulani Serero

CATEGORIES RANKING

Below are the Official Rankings according to Categories

BUSINESS

  1. Nontokozo Madonsela (MMI Holdings)
  2. Sylvester Chauke (DNA Brand Architects)
  3. Tebogo Ditshego (Ditshego Media)
  4. Vukile Manzi (Zillionaire Group)
  5. Lynette Ntuli (Innate Investment Solutions)
  6. Faraimose Kutadzaushe (Investec Asset Management)
  7. Achumile Majija (Prudential Life Insurance)
  8. Yolanda Zoleka Cuba (Vodafone Ghana)
  9. Allegro Dinkwanyane (Orgella Media)
  10. Rushil Vallabh (Secha Capital)

ENTERTAINMENT

  1. Cassper Nyovest (Musician)
  2. AKA (Musician)
  3. Amanda Black (Musician)
  4. Pearl Thusi (Actress)
  5. Nasty C (Musician)
  6. Maps Maponyane (Actor)
  7. Loyiso Gola (Comedian)
  8. Anatii (Musician)
  9. Emtee (Musician)
  10. Eugene Khoza (Comedian)

SOCIAL ENTREPRISE & PHILANTHROPY

  1. Mabutho Mthembu (Youth Managers Foundation)
  2. Raymond Ledwaba (Diski Nine9)
  3. Catherine Constantinides (Miss Earth South Africa)
  4. Fulufhelo Ramulifho (Careers For A Powerful You)
  5. Sophie Kanza (Sophie Kanza Foundation)
  6. Nthabiseng Mosia (Azimuth)
  7. Lebang Nong (Katleho Pele Education)
  8. Thato Kgatlhanye (Rethaka (Pty) Ltd)
  9. Mukovhe Morris Masutha (Thusanani Foundation)
  10. Emmanuel Bonoko (Ebonoko Foundation)

SPORTS

  1. Percy Tau (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  2. Caster Semenya (Athlete)
  3. Wayde van Niekerk (Athlete)
  4. Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs)
  5. Kagiso Rabada (Highveld Lions)
  6. Andile Jali (KV Oostende)
  7. Akani Simbine (Athlete)
  8. Bongani Zungu (Amiens SC)
  9. Dean Furman (SuperSport United FC)
  10. Thulani Serero (SBV Vitesse)

LAW & GOVERNANCE

  1. Dr. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (Economic Freedom Fighters)
  2. Tiyani Majoko (‎Lawgistics Legal Consultants)
  3. Luyolo Mphithi ‎(City of Johannesburg)
  4. Tefo Tlale (Lawyer)
  5. Bongani Baloyi Midvaal (Local Municipality)
  6. Mabine Seabe (Democratic Alliance)
  7. Phumlani M. Majozi (INENG)
  8. Hlomela Bucwa (MP)
  9. Elaine Bergenthuin (De Beer Attorneys)
  10. Sushila Dhever (Lawyer)

MEDIA

  1. Trevor Noah (OAP)
  2. Bonang Matheba (OAP)
  3. Anele Mdoda (OAP)
  4. Jessica Nkosi (OAP)
  5. Pearl Modiadie (OAP)
  6. Thando Thabethe (OAP)
  7. Ntando Duma (OAP)
  8. Evans Manyonga (Fast Company SA)
  9. Amanda du Pont (OAP)
  10. Khanya Mkangisa (OAP)

LIFESTYLE

  1. Nomzamo Mbatha (Model)
  2. DJ Zinhle (DJ)
  3. Babes Wodumo (Model)
  4. Bontle Modiselle (Dancer)
  5. Asanda Sizani (ELLE South Africa)
  6. Roger Goode (DJ)
  7. Tumi Voster (DJ)
  8. Thabo Makhetha (Designer)
  9. Rich Mnisi (Designer)
  10. Sanele Junior Xaba (Model)

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

  1. Dr Sandile Kubheka (Medical Doctor)
  2. Lethabo Motswaledi (Motsoaledi & West)
  3. Gift Lubele (G N Lub)
  4. Madoda Khuzwayo (Hostriver)
  5. Berno Potgieter (Domestly)
  6. Doug Hoernle (Rethink Education)
  7. Marcus Swanepoel (Luno Money)
  8. Karen Nadasen (PayU)
  9. Trevor Wolfe (delvv.io)
  10. Matt Putman (iKhokha)

LEADERSHIP & CIVIL SOCIETY

  1. Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (Miss Universe)
  2. Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh (Activist)
  3. Botlhale Boikanyo (Poet)
  4. Dr Nokwethemba Mtshali-Hadebe (‎Bertha Gxowa Hosp)
  5. Faith Mangope (FTA Media Communications)
  6. Zulaikha Patel (Activist)
  7. Koketso Moeti (‎Local Government Action)
  8. Maya Wegerif (Poet)
  9. Patson Malisa (African Union ECOSOCC)
  10. Tahir Sema (SALGA)

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT & ACADEMIA

  1. Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng (Speaker)
  2. Bokang Lemaoana (Speaker)
  3. Thabo Msibi (UKZN School of Education)
  4. Erna Basson (Speaker)
  5. Dikeledi A. Mokoena (Speaker)
  6. Vumile Msweli (Hesed Consulting)
  7. Khethi Ngwenya (School Media)
  8. Busisiwe Selesho (Speaker)
  9. Dr Yudhvir Seetharam (FNB Business)
  10. Frederick Bohasu (Speaker)

NOMINATION ONGOING

Nominate your Most Influential Young South Africans

100 Most Influential Young South Africans

VISION.

Become the Leading and Most Credible program to Rank and Honour Young South Africans.

CRITERIA.

A Nominee must be:

  1. A South African.
  2. 15 or below 40 years.
  3. In 2 years of Active Service in a Category.
  4. Outstanding with Public Evidence of Impact
  5. Motivating to be able to inspire other young people with his/her work

MISSION.

  • Rank and Honour the Most Influential Young South Africans Annually.
  • Uphold Public discretion of the Most Influential Young South Africans.
  • Evangel the Inspiring Stories, Works and Impacts of Young South Africans across the World.
  • Change the Negative Perceptions of the Potentials of Young People.
  • Fuel Patriotism among Young South Africans.
  • Create Value for the Works of Young South Africans Globally.

CATEGORIES.

  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Law & Governance
  • Leadership & Civil Society
  • Lifestyle
  • Media
  • Personal Development & Academia
  • Social Entreprise & Philanthropy
  • Sports
  • Science & Technology

ABOUT US

The Most Influential Young South Africans initiative is an annual awards and ranking scheme for young South African Achievers between 15-40 years, spearheaded by Avance Media, a social enterprise in partnership with 1000 African Voices & VIPI State and various Organisations.

The initiative is intended to disclose the true and genuine potentials of young people who are earnest to turn around the fortunes of South Africa’s economy and whose works are at par with their impacts. It is also expected to serve as a source of encouragement to these young individuals whose commitment towards stimulating growth is undoubted.

CREDIBILITY
100%
PUBLIC CHOICE
100%
SOUTH AFRICAN
100%

categories

BUSINESS

This category is dedicated to Individuals who run successful enterprises in South Africa, which are adding valuable social, economic and cultural remittances to lives and contributing towards shaping the image of the African continent

ENTERTAINMENT

This category is exclusive to a diverse group of individuals involved in entertainment relating to Music, Comdey & Film. They must be national icons that command a high level of influence not just popularity through the positive impact of their works.

SOCIAL ENTREPRISE & PHILANTHROPY

This category is meant for young individuals leading social entrepreneurship and philanthropy activities impacting lives across South Africa and their respective provinces. The public on the reach of their impacts must phenomenally endorse their works and achievements.

SPORTS

This category throws a spotlight on diverse sports personalities who in diverse ways are contributing to the development of various sporting activities. These can be athletes, coaches or individuals directly involved in the sporting industry

LAW & GOVERNANCE

This category compiles distinguished young South Africans who display continental influence based on their roles in public office, politics, Law and governance. Their work should have yielded significant commendation from their benefactors.

MEDIA

This category is targeted at journalists and media personalities who have defied odds to propel stories of South Africa across the Globe. Their work should carry a national focused vision on leading South Africans to tell their own stories whether good or bad.

LIFESTYLE

This category is focused on young people who are leading the creative & lifestyle community in South Africa. They are passionately setting the pace in Fashion & Arts which have become common among the populace.  These personalities must be leading initiatives and organisations, which are addressing problems in their communities and have potentials for global expansion, adoption and recognition.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

This category is focused on young South Africans who are leading the innovation revolution across the country. Their products and services must be dedicated to solving either local or global problems from the South African soil. They must be potential competitors in the global science, technology, and innovation space.

LEADERSHIP & CIVIL SOCIETY

This category involves highly recommended young individuals who are championing various activities in the country related to advocacy, religion, civil organizations etc. They need to possess the qualities of a leader and must have achieved significant feats in their works across the country and beyond.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT & ACADEMIA

This category is exclusive to individuals who have excelled in various academic assignments and young South Africans who have dedicated their career in training the next generation of African Leaders.

"Everything I have today is because of Africa, I was born here, went to school here, I work here and I'm achieving some level of financial comfort here"

TONY ELUMELU

Some Fun Facts

MILLION SOUTH AFRICANS
MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE
PROVINCES
COUNTRY

PARTNERS

Come and Work with Us

Contact Info

Contact Info