Do you know any of Africa’s most famous influencers? These South African influencers have become inseparable from social media by gaining many followers. These influencers work in diverse fields, including fashion, entertainment, entrepreneurship, and activism, reshaping digital marketing and cultural conversations.
This explanation deepens into their stories, successes, and the unique cultural context that fuels their rise. This blog will examine how South African influencers navigate the social media landscape. Stay tuned to get to know each of them.
10 Best South African Influencers on Instagram
Are you excited to know the most famous South African influencers on Instagram? This is a comprehensive list of the most influential African personalities with millions of followers across different platforms. Follow along to get to know them well!
1. Boitumelo Thulo (Boity)
Ready to meet the first South African influencer on our list? Boitumelo Thulo, known as Boity, is a multi-talented South African personality recognized for her television, music, acting, business, and modeling roles.
Boity was born on April 28, 1990, in Potchefstroom, North West, South Africa. She is the only child in her family and was raised by her maternal grandmother. This South African influencer faced financial challenges while studying psychology and criminology at Monash University, leading her to drop out. Later, she signed with a casting agency, leading to her appearance in a Wimpy commercial in 2010.
She gained a reputation with her debut single ‘Wuz Dat?’ featuring Nasty C in 2018. Boity was named one of Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 in 2019 for her music and entertainment industry contributions. In 2020, she signed with Def Jam Africa and released her EP titled ‘4436,’ which received a nomination for Best Hip Hop Album at the 27th South African Music Awards.
As a South African fashion influencer on Instagram, Boity is thriving. She has over 6 million followers and continues to grow. Boity also founded The BT Signature range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, which offer a light and delicate taste bursting with aromatic flavor for a premium and refreshing experience.
2. Bonang Matheba
Let’s get to know a South African award-winning television presenter who is also a radio personality, actress, and social media personality. Bonang Dorothy Matheba was born on 25 June 1987 in Mahikeng, North West Province, South Africa. Now, who exactly is this South African influencer?
She is best known as a South African television presenter and is admired for her distinctive style and voice. Her notable career achievements include hosting the SABC 1 music show LIVE (now Live Amp) and becoming the first Black South African featured in numerous magazines.
In 2013, she made history as the first international ambassador for Revlon outside the US. She further broke barriers by hosting the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards pre-show, becoming the first South African to do so.
She is a hot Instagram influencer with 5.1 million followers, known for her impact on media and entrepreneurship. This South African influencer released her first book, ‘From A to B,’ in 2017 and developed the reality show ‘Being Bonang’ the same year. Her achievements were acknowledged when she graced the cover of GQ SA’s power issue in 2018.
3. Cassper Nyovest
Let’s get to know a male South African influencer. Refiloe Maele Phoolo, professionally known as Cassper Nyovest, is a South African rapper, songwriter, entrepreneur, record producer, and amateur boxer. Born on 16 December 1990 in Mahikeng, North West, he is regarded as one of South Africa’s most successful artists.
In 2014, he established his record label called Family Tree Records. Cassper Nyovest gained fame with his debut studio album, ‘Tsholofelo’ (2014), which included hit singles like ‘Gusheshe’ and ‘Doc Shebeleza.’
This South African influencer gained fame with his ‘Fill Up’ concert series, beginning with Fill Up the Dome in 2015 at Ticketpro Dome, Johannesburg. This success paved the way for annual stadium concerts at Orlando Stadium (2016), FNB Stadium (2017), Moses Mabhida Stadium (2018), and Royal Bafokeng Stadium (2019).
In July 2015, Cassper Nyovest and actress Boity Thulo confirmed their relationship after initially denying it. Despite a magazine headline suggesting they were engaged, they clarified it was untrue. The couple later split in December 2015. To know more about this influencer, follow him on Instagram.
4. Natasha Thahane
The fourth South African influencer on our list is Nokuthula Tutu, also known as Natasha Thahane, a South African actress, model, and media personality born on 25 September 1995. She is recognized for her roles in TV series like Blood & Water, Skeem Saam, The Queen, and It’s OK We’re Family. Natasha Thahane has recently joined the BET drama Isono, portraying the character Millicent.
This South African influencer began her screen career with a 2013 Edgars commercial and debuted her TV series in e.tv’s ‘eKasi: Our Stories’ in 2014. She gained a reputation as Enhle Tango in SABC1’s ‘Skeem Saam’ from 2015 to 2016. Then,. Thahane joined Mzansi Magic’s ‘The Queen’ as Amogelang Maake, appearing as a regular for two seasons.
Thahane has also become the brand ambassador for ‘Garnier Even & Matte’ and has been featured in a reality show named ‘Top Billing.’ Thahane briefly dated sports Instagram influencer and football player Thembinkosi Lorch from June to September 2021. They are rumored to have a son together. She has an account on Instagram with 6.1 million followers.
5. AB de Villiers
Are you ready to meet a renowned South African athlete? Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, born on February 17, 1984, is a South African influencer, retired cricketer, and current commentator. During his career, he was named ICC ODI Player of the Year three times and was recognized as one of Wisden’s cricketers of the decade in 2019. De Villiers was a batsman in international cricket and was known for his innovative and aggressive batting style. He holds records for the fastest ODI fifty (16 balls), century (31 balls), and 150 (62 balls).
Abraham Benjamin de Villiers was born in Warmbad (now Bela-Bela), South Africa, and grew up in a close-knit community. He attended Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool in Pretoria, where he shared a relaxed childhood with his friend and teammate Faf du Plessis. He graduated from high school, influenced by his father, a doctor and former rugby player, who instilled a love for sports in him early on.
Abraham Benjamin de Villiers is a married Christian influencer with three children. He wrote an autobiography in 2016 and is the most followed South African on Instagram, with 25.4 million followers.
6. Amanda Du-Pont
If you enjoy following travel influencers, this one’s for you! Amanda du-Pont, born on June 26, 1988, is a Swazi-born South African social media influencer, actress, model, and television host. This influencer has a diverse background and ancestry from French, Italian, Portuguese, and Swazi heritage. She was raised in Manzini and later moved to Mpumalanga to complete her schooling at Uplands College.
Amanda du-Pont is known for her roles in TV shows like ‘Skeem Saam’ and ‘Real Goboza.’ She starred in the CW drama ‘Life is Wild and has appeared in films such as ‘Between Friends and ‘Hear Me Move.’ In 2019, she joined the Netflix series ‘Shadow.’
This South African influencer was awarded a Lifetime Achievement award by Swaziland’s Department of Arts & Culture for her early achievements in film and television and her promotion of the Swazi language and culture, and all of this happened when she was 21. She has an account on Instagram, where she has 5 million followers
7. Connie Ferguson
Have you ever followed a middle-aged South African influencer on Instagram? Connie is a 53-year-old actress, filmmaker, producer, and businesswoman born on June 10, 1970, in the Northern Cape, Africa.
Connie Ferguson is best known for portraying Karabo Moroka in Generations, South Africa’s most popular soap opera. She was part of the show from its beginning in 1994 until she left in 2010. After a four-year break, she returned briefly in 2014. In 2018, Ferguson was on the cover of Forbes Woman Africa magazine.
Connie Ferguson, previously known as Masilo, married actor Neo Matsunyane in 1992 and had a daughter in December 1993. They divorced in 1998. In July 2001, she met actor Shona Ferguson and married in November 2001. They had a daughter in June 2002. After nearly 20 years of marriage, Shona Ferguson passed away on July 30, 2021, from COVID-19.
This South African influencer has an Instagram account. With 4.8 million followers, she is the first middle-aged influencer to have the most followers on Instagram.
8. Minnie Dlamini
Let’s talk about a 33-year-old South African influencer. Minenhle Dlamini was born on 7 July 1990 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She is mostly known as Minnie Dlamini, a South African on-air personality, actress, and model. In 2010, she was selected as the new presenter for the SABC 1 Friday live-music show Live Amp.
She started her career as a presenter at the University of Cape Town before co-hosting Mzansi Insider. She later switched to sports broadcasting by co-hosting Soccerzone with Thomas Mlambo. Dlamini is one of the highest-paid Instagram influencers who has co-hosted various award ceremonies, including the Metro FM Music Awards and the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
Minnie began her modeling journey in September 2011 when she was announced as the new face of the South African departmental store LEGIT with her fashion range, the Minnie Series. This black Instagram model has collaborated with Veldskoen Shoes sneakers in 2022. She received a limited edition of their new product and modeled it at the Paris Fashion Week before it was officially launched in Paris.
To be informed about the latest news, follow her Instagram account with 5.3 million followers.
9. Pearl Modiadie
This South African influencer is one of the top Models on Instagram and has more than 3 million followers. Pearl Modiadie (born January 1, 1987) is a South African social media influencer, television presenter, radio DJ, actress, and producer best known for presenting the SABC1 music talk show.
Pearl Modiadie was born in the Xubeni section of Tembisa township in Ekurhuleni in the Gauteng province of South Africa. She became one of the ten celebrity competitors on the eighth season of the reality competition series ‘Come Dancing.’ She partnered with one of the most professional dancers, Grant Esterhuizen.
This South African influencer is a mother to a baby boy named Lewatle Olivier, who was given birth in September 2020. To learn more about this gorgeous mama, follow her Instagram account, which has 3.7 million followers.
10. Zinhle Jiyane
The time has finally come to meet the last South African influencer on our list. Zinhle Jiyane, best known as DJ Zinhle, is a South African DJ, producer, media personality, and businesswoman. She was born on 30 December 1983 in Dannhauser, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
She is not only a distinguished DJ and producer but also an admirable actress. Furthermore, she followed her acting career and made her on-screen debut as a judge in Jika MaJika, Idols South Africa, Turn It On, and more.
This South African influencer co-hosted a talent show in collaboration with the two most famous DJ personalities, DJ Tira and DJ Speedsta. By the end of 2021, she announced her upcoming reality show, Unexpectedly, which will premiere on BET Africa. To learn more about this influencer, follow her Instagram account, which has 5.5 million followers.
How to Collaborate with South African Influencers
Now that you know the most famous South African influencers, you might wonder how to collaborate with them. In this scenario, you’ll need a marketing agency to help you find your best match based on your budget, location, and expectations of a great deal.
Have you heard anything about Ainfluencer, a free end-to-end marketing platform with more than 2 million influencers available? Ainfluencer will connect you directly with the best match related to your niche for safe and economical collaborations. With Ainfluencer, everything will be done with you having the least involvement.
Influencers will create content for you, help you raise your brand awareness, drive sales, and go viral on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Do you know where the best part is? Ainfluencer will not cost your business any fees or subscriptions, and it is 100% free forever while offering.
Sign up on Ainfluencer before you miss this wonderful opportunity!
Conclusion
Now that you are familiar with the most famous South African influencers and their stories, you should know that anything and everything is possible, and your dreams can come true. By putting these personalities as your role models, you will achieve your desires.
FAQs
The biggest celebrities in South Africa include former South African president Nelson Mandela, Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu, actress Charlize Theron, and more.
The most followed TikTok influencers in South Africa include Wian (@wian) with 15.7 million followers, Tevin Musara (@superherointraining), and John-Marc van Wyk (@johnmarcvanwyk3) with 9.3 million and 8.2 million followers are in the front line.
