2020 100 Most Influential Young South Africans announced by Avance Media

As part of its annual programme to celebrate and acclaim South Africa’s outstanding youth, leading PR and Rating firm Avance Media has published the fifth edition of its annual 100 Most Influential Young South Africans ranking.

This list which is focused on revealing the most-hardworking youth features individuals who stood tall in their businesses and careers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Putting assortment into deliberation, the list ranks young individuals from diverse industries and sectors including Activists, Speakers, Entrepreneurs, Musicians, Media Personalities, and Politicians. Some of the prominent individuals on the list include Musician Cassper Nyovest, Ami Faku, Boity, Vusi Thembekwayo, Theo Baloyi, Trevor Noah, Siya Kolisi and Mbuyiseni Ndtozi etc.

Unlike preceding rankings where competent individuals are listed in the order of ranks in line with public voting, this list represents extraordinary individuals who also contributed in various ways towards the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This year’s ranking features a record of (56) females, (43) males and a music group called Blaq Diamond. Stacey Fru, a thirteen-year-old Author and Activist ranked as the youngest South African on the list. 

Managing Director of Avance Media, Prince Akpah, noted that the annual ranking of Influential Young South Africans continue to serve as an avenue for inspiration to all young individuals as they pursue excellence in their various endeavours. 

Below is the list of Avance Media’s 2020 100 Most Influential Young South Africans arranged in alphabetical order. 

1. Achumile Majija
2. Ami Faku
3. Anelisa Tuswa
4. Ayakha Melithafa
5. Blaq Diamond
6. Boity Thulo
7. Bonang Matheba
8. Bongani Baloyi
9. Bruce Dube
10. Cassper Nyovest
11. Caster Semenya
12. Chanté Siyamthanda Jantjies
13. Chelsea Zindoga (Dr)
14. DJ Maphorisa
15. Esethu Cenga
16. Eunice Maeshibe Marema
17. Given Sigauqwe
18. Gwen Ngwenya
19. Itumeleng Khune
20. Itumeleng Ntsube
21. Jessica Nkosi
22. Jonathan Macauley (Dr)
23. Kabza De Small
24. Karl Kugelmann
25. Katleho Paballo Makupu
26. Keitumetse Fatimata Moutloatse
27. Kgaogelo Mahasha
28. Kopano Matlwa (Dr)
29. Kwara Kekana
30. Lasizwe Dambuza
31. Leah Molatseli 
32. Lebo Gafane-Matemane (Dr)
33. Lerato Mokoena (Dr)
34. Lindsay Van der Byl
35. Llewelyn Pillay
36. Lloyd Harris
37. Londy Ngcobo
38. Louise Kongolo Kanza
39. Lukhanyo Am
40. Lunga Shabalala
41. Lungile Hobe (Dr)
42. Lydia Hlongwane
43. Madoda Ndlakuse
44. Makazole Mapimpi
45. Makhadzi
46. Mamello Matikinca
47. Mariam Manack
48. Mas Musiq
49. Master KG
50. Matamela M. Mafune (Dr)
51. Mbali Makhathini
52. Mbali Ntuli
53. Mbali Nwoko
54. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi
55. Melene Rossouw
56. Mimi V Omokri
57. Miriam Dube
58. Mpho Popps Modikoane
59. Naledi Chirwa
60. Nasty C
61. Nomcebo Zikode
62. Nono Cele Xaba
63. Ntsiki Mkhize
64. Olebogeng Sentsho
65. Pearl Thusi
66. Percy Muzi Tau
67. Pieter-Steph du Toit
68. Prince Kaybee
69. Rachel Kolisi
70. Refiloe Nkele
71. Relebogile Mabotja
72. Riky Rick
73. Sandile Shezi
74. Senamile Masango
75. Sibongile Mongadi
76. Simphiwe Zuma
77. Siya Kolisi 
78. Siyabonga Mkhize
79. Slindile Mthembu
80. Stacey Fru
81. Thando Thabethe 
82. Thembi Kgatlana
83. Thembiso Magajana
84. Theo Baloyi 
85. Thlologelo Malatji
86. Thulani Hlatshwayo
87. Thuso Mbedu
88. Trevor Noah
89. Tshiamo Ramalapa
90. Tumi Sole
91. Vigro Deep
92. Vumile Msweli
93. Vusi Thembekwayo 
94. Vuyani Pambo
95. Wendy Phoswa (Dr)
96. Wouter Wessels
97. Yanga Chief
98. Yola Mgogwana
99. Yuveer Karunchund
100. 100.Zizipho Ntobongwana

Article by Ifeanyi Ahyia Adjei