Historical figures in Johannesburg

The atlas holds 24 people and 60 moments here, from 1906 to 2023. The most recorded lives are Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Among them Writers, Political Leaders and Business Leaders, across the Space Age and the Cold War.

Notable people

  1. Albert Luthuli

    from 1954 to 1956

    2 moments here

    Albert John Luthuli was a South African teacher, traditional leader, anti-apartheid activist, and President-General of the African National Congress.…

  2. Allan MacLeod Cormack

    in 1924

    1 moment here

    South African-born American physicist and academic whose mathematical work helped establish computed tomography.…

  3. Ayrton Senna

    in 1984

    1 moment here

    Brazilian racing driver Ayrton Senna da Silva was a three-time Formula One World Drivers’ Champion.…

  4. Desmond Tutu

    from 1945 to 1978

    5 moments here

    South African Anglican bishop, theologian, anti-apartheid activist, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Archbishop of Cape Town, and chair of South Africa’s…

  5. Doris Lessing

    in 1956

    1 moment here

    British novelist Doris May Lessing was born in Kermanshah, Iran, grew up in Southern Rhodesia, and moved to London in 1949.…

  6. Ebrahim Raisi

    in 2023

    1 moment here

    Iranian cleric, judicial official, and politician who served as president of Iran from 2021 until his death in a helicopter crash in 2024.…

  7. Edgar Lungu

    from 2015 to 2018

    4 moments here

    Edgar Chagwa Lungu was a Zambian lawyer and politician who served as Zambia's sixth president from 2015 to 2021.…

  8. F. W. de Klerk

    from 1936 to 2013

    2 moments here

    South African lawyer and National Party politician who served as State President of South Africa from 1989 to 1994 and as deputy president from 1994…

  9. Hastings Banda

    from 1917 to 1997

    2 moments here

    Hastings Kamuzu Banda was a Malawian physician and politician who led Nyasaland to independence and served as Malawi's prime minister and first…

  10. Helen Keller

    in 1951

    1 moment here

    Helen Adams Keller was an American deafblind author, lecturer, disability-rights advocate, and political activist.…

  11. Jack Brabham

    in 1970

    1 moment here

    Australian racing driver, engineer, team owner and three-time Formula One World Champion. Brabham began in Australian speedcar racing, worked as a…

  12. Jimmy Carter

    in 2007

    1 moment here

    James Earl Carter Jr. was an American naval officer, Georgia state senator and governor, the 39th president of the United States, and a…

  13. Mahatma Gandhi

    in 1906

    1 moment here

    Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, political ethicist, and leader of mass nonviolent resistance.…

  14. Manmohan Singh

    in 2006

    1 moment here

    Indian economist, academic, civil servant, finance minister and prime minister of India from 2004 to 2014.…

  15. Milton Obote

    in 2005

    1 moment here

    Apollo Milton Obote was a Ugandan politician who served as prime minister from 1962 to 1966 and as president from 1966 to 1971 and from 1980 to 1985.…

  16. Miriam Makeba

    from 1932 to 2002

    4 moments here

    South African singer, songwriter, actor, and anti-apartheid activist known as “Mama Africa.” Makeba’s career took her from Johannesburg and Pretoria…

  17. Morgan Tsvangirai

    in 2018

    1 moment here

    Zimbabwean trade unionist and opposition politician who led the Movement for Democratic Change and served as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe from 2009 to…

  18. Muhammadu Buhari

    in 2015

    1 moment here

    Nigerian army officer, military head of state from 1983 to 1985, and elected president of Nigeria from 2015 to 2023.…

  19. Nadine Gordimer

    from 1946 to 2014

    4 moments here

    South African novelist, short-story writer, and anti-apartheid activist whose work examined apartheid, race, power, and moral responsibility.…

  20. Nelson Mandela

    from 1941 to 2013

    14 moments here

    South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, lawyer and statesman. Mandela helped lead the African National Congress, co-founded its armed wing,…

  21. Sarojini Naidu

    in 1932

    1 moment here

    Indian poet, nationalist, women’s-rights advocate, president of the Indian National Congress, and first governor of the United Provinces.…

  22. Sydney Brenner

    from 1927 to 1954

    3 moments here

    South African-born molecular biologist whose career moved from Johannesburg and Oxford to Cambridge, California, Singapore and other scientific…

  23. Whitney Houston

    in 1994

    1 moment here

    American singer, actress, producer, and cultural icon known for recordings including “I Will Always Love You,” major world tours, film roles, and…

  24. Winnie Mandela

    from 1953 to 2018

    6 moments here

    Nomzamo Winifred Zanyiwe Madikizela-Mandela, known as Winnie Mandela, was a South African social worker, anti-apartheid activist, and African…

Moments

  1. 1906 Launches satyagraha at Johannesburg meeting Mahatma Gandhi
  2. 1917 Mine work in Johannesburg Hastings Banda
  3. 1924 Birth in Johannesburg Allan MacLeod Cormack
  4. 1927 Birth in Germiston Sydney Brenner
  5. 1932 Address at Johannesburg City Hall Sarojini Naidu
  6. 1932 Birth in Prospect Township Miriam Makeba
  7. 1936 Birth in Mayfair F. W. de Klerk
  8. 1941 Lives in Alexandra Nelson Mandela
  9. 1941 Arrives in Johannesburg Nelson Mandela
  10. 1942 Enrolment at the University of the Witwatersrand Sydney Brenner
  11. 1943 Studies law at Wits Nelson Mandela
  12. 1944 Helps found the ANC Youth League Nelson Mandela
  13. 1945 Johannesburg Bantu High School Desmond Tutu
  14. 1946 University of the Witwatersrand student Nadine Gordimer
  15. 1948 Move to Johannesburg Nadine Gordimer
  16. 1951 Eye Hospital opening address Helen Keller
  17. 1953 Jan Hofmeyr School admission Winnie Mandela
  18. 1953 Opens Mandela and Tambo Nelson Mandela
  19. 1954 Arrival for Sophiatown protest Albert Luthuli
  20. 1954 Physiology lecturer at Witwatersrand Sydney Brenner
  21. 1956 Theological training at St Peter's Desmond Tutu
  22. 1956 Refused entry after landing in Johannesburg Doris Lessing
  23. 1956 Treason Trial detention at the Old Fort Albert Luthuli
  24. 1956 Held in Johannesburg Prison Nelson Mandela
  25. 1959 King Kong opening Miriam Makeba
  26. 1960 Ordination at St Mary's Cathedral Desmond Tutu
  27. 1961 Hides at Liliesleaf Farm Nelson Mandela
  28. 1970 Final Formula One victory Jack Brabham
  29. 1975 Installation as dean of St Mary's Desmond Tutu
  30. 1978 South African Council of Churches leadership Desmond Tutu
  31. 1984 First Formula One point Ayrton Senna
  32. 1990 Welcome-home rally at FNB Stadium Nelson Mandela
  33. 1991 Kidnapping-and-assault trial opens Winnie Mandela
  34. 1991 Signs National Peace Accord Nelson Mandela
  35. 1991 Attends opening of CODESA Nelson Mandela
  36. 1992 First Johannesburg concerts after exile Miriam Makeba
  37. 1994 Johannesburg South Africa concert Whitney Houston
  38. 1995 Attends Rugby World Cup final Nelson Mandela
  39. 1997 Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearing Winnie Mandela
  40. 1997 Death in Johannesburg Hastings Banda
  41. 2002 Legion of Honour ceremony Miriam Makeba
  42. 2003 Wits University hostage intervention Winnie Mandela
  43. 2005 Death at Morningside Medi-Clinic Milton Obote
  44. 2006 Satyagraha centenary visit Manmohan Singh
  45. 2007 The Elders launch Jimmy Carter
  46. 2007 Announces The Elders Nelson Mandela
  47. 2008 Visit to xenophobic-violence victims Winnie Mandela
  48. 2010 Makes final public appearance Nelson Mandela
  49. 2011 Secrecy-law address at Sci-Bono Nadine Gordimer
  50. 2013 Nelson Mandela memorial service F. W. de Klerk

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