33 Notable alumni of
University of Fort Hare

Updated:

EduRank

The University of Fort Hare is 1280th in the world, 26th in Africa, and 7th in South Africa by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 33 notable alumni from the University of Fort Hare sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff.

  1. Nelson Mandela

    Nelson Mandela
    Born in
    South Africa Flag South Africa
    Years
    1918-2013 (aged 95)
    Occupations
    screenwriterlawyerautobiographerpoliticianpolitical prisoner
    Biography

    Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid activist and politician who served as the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country's first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid by fostering racial reconciliation. Ideologically an African nationalist and socialist, he served as the president of the African National Congress (ANC) party from 1991 to 1997.

  2. Robert Mugabe

    Robert Mugabe
    Born in
    Zimbabwe Flag Zimbabwe
    Years
    1924-2019 (aged 95)
    Enrolled in the University of Fort Hare
    In 1951 graduated with Bachelor of Arts
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Robert Gabriel Mugabe was a Zimbabwean revolutionary and politician who served as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe from 1980 to 1987 and then as President from 1987 to 2017. He served as Leader of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) from 1975 to 1980 and led its successor political party, the ZANU – Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF), from 1980 to 2017. Ideologically an African nationalist, during the 1970s and 1980s he identified as a Marxist–Leninist, and as a socialist after the 1990s.

  3. Seretse Khama

    Seretse Khama
    Born in
    Botswana Flag Botswana
    Years
    1921-1980 (aged 59)
    Occupations
    politicianlawyer
    Biography

    Sir Seretse Goitsebeng Maphiri Khama, GCB, KBE was a Motswana politician who served as the first President of Botswana, a post he held from 1966 to his death in 1980.

  4. Julius Nyerere

    Julius Nyerere
    Born in
    Tanzania Flag Tanzania
    Years
    1922-1999 (aged 77)
    Occupations
    translatorwriterlinguistpoliticianeducator
    Biography

    Julius Kambarage Nyerere was a Tanzanian anti-colonial activist, politician and political theorist. He governed Tanganyika as prime minister from 1961 to 1962 and then as president from 1962 to 1964, after which he led its successor state, Tanzania, as president from 1964 to 1985. He was a founding member and chair of the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) party, and of its successor Chama Cha Mapinduzi, from 1954 to 1990. Ideologically an African nationalist and African socialist, he promoted a political philosophy known as Ujamaa.

  5. Oliver Reginald Tambo

    Oliver Reginald Tambo
    Born in
    South Africa Flag South Africa
    Years
    1917-1993 (aged 76)
    Occupations
    politicianlawyer
    Biography

    Oliver Reginald Kaizana Tambo was a South African anti-apartheid politician and activist who served as President of the African National Congress (ANC) from 1967 to 1991.

  6. Chris Hani

    Chris Hani
    Born in
    South Africa Flag South Africa
    Years
    1942-1993 (aged 51)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Chris Hani, born Martin Thembisile Hani SSA, SBS, CLS, DMG, MMS, was the leader of the South African Communist Party and chief of staff of uMkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC). He was a fierce opponent of the apartheid government, and was assassinated by Janusz Waluś, a Polish immigrant and sympathiser of the Conservative opposition on 10 April 1993, during the unrest preceding the transition to democracy.

  7. Mangosuthu Buthelezi

    Mangosuthu Buthelezi
    Born in
    South Africa Flag South Africa
    Years
    1928-2023 (aged 95)
    Enrolled in the University of Fort Hare
    Studied in 1948-1950
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Prince Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi was a South African politician and Zulu prince who served as the traditional prime minister to the Zulu royal family from 1954 until his death in 2023. He was appointed to this post by King Bhekuzulu, a son of King Solomon, who was a brother to Buthelezi's mother, Princess Magogo. Buthelezi was chief minister of the KwaZulu bantustan during apartheid and founded the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in 1975, leading it until 2019, becoming its president emeritus soon after that. He was a political leader during Nelson Mandela's incarceration (1964–1990) and continued to be so in the post-apartheid era, when he was appointed by Mandela as Minister of Home Affairs, serving from 1994 to 2004.

  8. Makaziwe Mandela

    Makaziwe Mandela
    Born in
    South Africa Flag South Africa
    Years
    1954-.. (age 70)
    Occupations
    businesspersonanthropologist
    Biography

    Pumla Makaziwe "Maki" Mandela-Amuah is the daughter of Nelson Mandela and his first wife Evelyn Mase.

  9. Robert Sobukwe

    Robert Sobukwe
    Born in
    South Africa Flag South Africa
    Years
    1924-1978 (aged 54)
    Occupations
    activisteducator
    Biography

    Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe OMSG was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and founding member of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), serving as the first president of the organization.

  10. Yusuf Lule

    Yusuf Lule
    Born in
    Uganda Flag Uganda
    Years
    1912-1985 (aged 73)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Yusuf Kironde Lule was a Ugandan professor and civil servant who served as the fourth president of Uganda between 13 April and 20 June 1979.

  11. Ace Magashule

    Ace Magashule
    Born in
    South Africa Flag South Africa
    Years
    1959-.. (age 65)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Elias Sekgobelo "Ace" Magashule is a South African politician and former anti-apartheid activist who served as the Secretary General of the African National Congress (ANC), South Africa's governing party, between December 2017 and his suspension on 3 May 2021. He served as the Premier of the Free State, one of South Africa's nine provinces, from 2009 until 2018, and is known to be influential in the ANC of his home province.

  12. Govan Mbeki

    Govan Mbeki
    Born in
    South Africa Flag South Africa
    Years
    1910-2001 (aged 91)
    Occupations
    journalistwriterpolitician
    Biography

    Govan Archibald Mvunyelwa Mbeki was a South African politician, military commander, Communist leader who served as the Secretary of Umkhonto we Sizwe, at its inception in 1961. He was also the son of Chief Sikelewu Mbeki and Johanna Mahala and also the father of the former South African president Thabo Mbeki and political economist Moeletsi Mbeki. He was a leader of the South African Communist Party and the African National Congress. After the Rivonia Trial, he was imprisoned (1963–1987) on charges of terrorism and treason, together with Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Raymond Mhlaba, Ahmed Kathrada and other eminent ANC leaders, for their role in the ANC's armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). He was sometimes mentioned by his nickname "Oom Gov".

  13. Charles Njonjo

    Charles Njonjo
    Born in
    Kenya Flag Kenya
    Years
    1920-2022 (aged 102)
    Occupations
    politicianlawyer
    Biography

    Charles Mugane Njonjo was a Kenyan lawyer who served as Attorney General of Kenya from 1963 to 1979, and Minister of Constitutional Affairs and the member of Parliament for Kikuyu Constituency from 1980 to 1983.

  14. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang

    Manto Tshabalala-Msimang
    Born in
    South Africa Flag South Africa
    Years
    1940-2009 (aged 69)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Mantombazana "Manto" Edmie Tshabalala-Msimang OMSS was a South African politician. She was Deputy Minister of Justice from 1996 to 1999 and served as Minister of Health from 1999 to 2008 under President Thabo Mbeki. She also served as Minister in the Presidency under President Kgalema Motlanthe from September 2008 to May 2009.

  15. Dennis Brutus

    Dennis Brutus
    Born in
    Zimbabwe Flag Zimbabwe
    Years
    1924-2009 (aged 85)
    Enrolled in the University of Fort Hare
    1944-1947 studied English and psychology
    Occupations
    poetwriteractivistuniversity teacher
    Biography

    Dennis Vincent Brutus was a South African activist, educator, journalist and poet best known for his campaign to have South Africa banned from the Olympic Games due to its racial policy of apartheid.

  16. Bulelani Ngcuka

    Bulelani Ngcuka
    Born in
    South Africa Flag South Africa
    Years
    1954-.. (age 70)
    Occupations
    politicianlawyer
    Biography

    Bulelani T. Ngcuka is a South African attorney, prosecutor and activist, who served as the first Director of Public Prosecutions in South Africa, and is the husband of former Deputy President of South Africa Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

  17. Alfred Nzo

    Alfred Nzo
    Born in
    South Africa Flag South Africa
    Years
    1925-2000 (aged 75)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Alfred Baphethuxolo Nzo was a South African politician. He served as the longest-standing secretary-general of the African National Congress. He occupied this position (ANC) between 1969 and 1991. He was also the South African minister of foreign affairs from 1994 to 1999. He was also the first black health inspector in the country. The Alfred Nzo Award is now awarded to deserving health practitioners in South Africa.

  18. Manuel de Araújo

    Manuel de Araújo
    Born in
    Mozambique Flag Mozambique
    Years
    1970-.. (age 54)
    Occupations
    politicianinternational forum participanteconomist
    Biography

    Manuel A. Alculete Lopes de Araújo is a Mozambican politician who has been Mayor of Quelimane since December 2011.

  19. Barney Pityana

    Barney Pityana
    Born in
    South Africa Flag South Africa
    Years
    1945-.. (age 79)
    Occupations
    theologianuniversity teacherlawyer
    Biography

    Nyameko Barney Pityana FKC GCOB is a human rights lawyer and theologian in South Africa. He is an exponent of Black theology.

  20. Thulas Nxesi

    Thulas Nxesi
    Born in
    South Africa Flag South Africa
    Years
    1959-.. (age 65)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Thembelani Waltermade "Thulas" Nxesi is a South African politician and former trade unionist who has been the Minister of Employment and Labour since May 2019. A representative of the African National Congress (ANC), he has been a member of cabinet since October 2011 and the Deputy National Chairperson of the South African Communist Party (SACP) since July 2012.

  21. Zola Skweyiya

    Zola Skweyiya
    Born in
    South Africa Flag South Africa
    Years
    1942-2018 (aged 76)
    Occupations
    politiciandiplomat
    Biography

    Zola Sidney Themba Skweyiya OLS was a South African politician who was Minister of Public Service and Administration from 1994 to 1999 and Minister of Social Development from 1999 to 2009. Skweyiya was re-elected to the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress in 2007.

  22. Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge

    Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge
    Born in
    South Africa Flag South Africa
    Years
    1952-.. (age 72)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Nozizwe Charlotte Madlala-Routledge is a South African politician who was South Africa's Deputy Minister of Defence from 1999 to April 2004 and Deputy Minister of Health from April 2004 to August 2007. President Thabo Mbeki dismissed her from the Cabinet on 8 August 2007, after which she maintained her role as a member of parliament representing the African National Congress. On 25 September 2008, she became Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, serving in that capacity until resigning from Parliament in early May 2009. She has been a member of the South African Communist Party since 1984.

  23. Noxolo Kiviet

    Noxolo Kiviet
    Born in
    South Africa Flag South Africa
    Years
    1963-.. (age 61)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Noxolo Kiviet is a South African politician who has served as the Minister of Public Service and Administration since March 2023. She was formerly the Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure from 2019 to 2023 and also served as the Premier of the Eastern Cape from 2009 to 2014.

  24. Cedric Phatudi

    Cedric Phatudi
    Years
    1912-1987 (aged 75)
    Occupations
    politicianteacher
    Biography

    Dr Cedric Namedi Phatudi was the Chief Minister of Lebowa, one of the South African bantustans.

  25. Bernhardt Esau

    Bernhardt Esau
    Years
    1957-.. (age 67)
    Occupations
    politiciantrade unionist
    Biography

    Bernhardt Martin Esau is a Namibian politician. A member of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), Esau has been a member of the National Assembly since being nominated by President Sam Nujoma and subsequently elected in the 1994 Namibian general election.

  26. Archibald Campbell Jordan

    Archibald Campbell Jordan
    Years
    1906-1968 (aged 62)
    Occupations
    novelistwriter
    Biography

    Archibald Campbell Mzolisa "A.C." Jordan was a novelist, literary historian and intellectual pioneer of African studies in South Africa.

  27. Immanuel Ngatjizeko

    Immanuel Ngatjizeko
    Years
    1952-2022 (aged 70)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Immanuel Ngatjizeko was a Namibian politician and member of the ruling SWAPO Party. He held five ministerial portfolios from 2003 until his retirement in 2018.

  28. James Hoth Mai

    James Hoth Mai
    Born in
    South Sudan Flag South Sudan
    Years
    1959-.. (age 65)
    Occupations
    military personnel
    Biography

    General James Hoth Mai is a South Sudanese army officer. He served as Chief of General Staff of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) from 2009 until 2014.

  29. John Mutorwa

    John Mutorwa
    Years
    1957-.. (age 67)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    John Mutorwa is a Namibian politician and current a deputy prime minister and Minister of Works and Transport. A member of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), Mutorwa has served in the National Assembly of Namibia as well as the cabinet since 1992.

  30. Joshua Pulomo Mohapeloa

    Joshua Pulomo Mohapeloa
    Born in
    Lesotho Flag Lesotho
    Years
    1908-1982 (aged 74)
    Occupations
    composer
    Biography

    Joshua Pulumo Mohapeloa was a prominent choral music composer in Sesotho, the native language of the BaSotho people of Southern Africa.

  31. Gaositwe Keagakwa Tibe Chiepe

    Gaositwe Keagakwa Tibe  Chiepe
    Born in
    Botswana Flag Botswana
    Years
    1926-.. (age 98)
    Occupations
    politiciandiplomat
    Biography

    Gaositwe Keagakwa Tibe Chiepe MBE is a Botswana former politician and diplomat with the Botswana Democratic Party. She was her country's high commissioner to the United Kingdom and Nigeria and ambassador to West Germany, France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the European Economic Community. She was Botswana's Minister for Trade and Industry in 1977, and in 1984, she became the Foreign Minister. She then served as the Minister for Education from 1994 to 1999.

  32. William Frederick Nkomo

    William Frederick Nkomo
    Born in
    South Africa Flag South Africa
    Years
    1915-1972 (aged 57)
    Occupations
    physician
    Biography

    William Frederick Nkomo was a South African medical doctor, community leader, political activist and teacher from Pretoria. He was the founding chairman of the African National Congress Youth League. While at the University of the Witwatersrand, Nkomo was the first black student to serve on the Students Representative Committee.

  33. Snowy Khoza

    Snowy Khoza
    Occupations
    chief executive officerbusinessperson
    Biography

    Snowy Joyce Khoza is a South African who is chief executive officer of Bigen Africa and President of Agape Christian Women.