The Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list is out, with some of South Africa’s most successful young groundbreakers and innovators featuring on it, including some talented Capetonians. The list was announced at the recent Forbes Africa Under 30 Meet-Up at the Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg.
120 young Africans were named who have made an impact on society through their work. The list is comprised of four categories: Business, Technology, Creatives and Sports. Wayde van Niekerk (26), the Olympic and world record holder from Cape Town, came in at number 7 under the Sports category.
World-class athlete Caster Semenya made it onto the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list alongside van Niekerk, who said in a Facebook post that he is proud to be “associated with people who are driven by pure love”.
Throughout van Niekerk’s journey as an athlete he has shown greatness and potential, making his international debut at the 2010 World Junior Championships in Athletics. Wayde went on to break records in 2016 when he competed in the 400 metre sprint at the summer Olympics, where he won gold and broke the record by 43.03 seconds, beating Michael Johnson’s record time. Wayde grew up in Kraaifontein and is a South African track and field sprinter.
Also from Cape Town and on the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list is Aisha Baker (29), who ranked number 13 in the Creatives category. Aisha who is a well-known blogger and creator of the website BakedOnline. Working for years to build her brand, Aisha’s creativity and talent has paid off, garnering her a large site audience.
Sho Madjozi, Boity Thulo, Trevor Stuurman, and Thando Thabethe are just a few of the other South Africans who made the prestigious list.
Picture: Facebook