Four of South Africa’s sporting stars have been inducted into the Forbes Africa’s 30 under 30 list.
Two-time Rugby World Cup winner, Damian Willemse, 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations winner Hilda Magaia, sprinter Shaun Maswanganyi, and Springbok women player Nadine Roos all cracked the nod and made it to the 2024 list for their achievements in their respective sporting codes.
Nadine Roos of South Africa during day two of the 2023 HSBC Cape Town Sevens at Cape Town Stadium on 10 December 2023 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
The Forbes 30 under 30 list celebrates innovators, creatives, sports stars and entrepreneurs. It features inductees from various African countries who give hope that all nations can become hotbeds of innovation, entrepreneurship and raw talent.
The young stars, like South Africa’s Tyla Seethal and Nigerian music star Fireboy DML, among others, continue to set the stage for what is Africa’s economic growth on the global stage.
Damian Willemse celebrates with trophy during the 2023 Rugby World Cup South Africa Trophy Tour through Cape Town on the 3 November 2023 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Below are the young people making a mark in a range of sectors across the continent.
Alex Mativo, 29, Kenya
CEO and Co-founder, E-LAB, Nanasi and Duck
Industry: Multiple ventures
Ann-Kathrin Joos, 28, South Africa
CEO and Founder, Standard Beauty
Industry: Beauty
Vimbai Masiyiwa, 29, Zimbabwe
CEO, Batoka Hospitality
Industry: Tourism
Andrew Ddembe, 28, Uganda
Co-founder and CEO, MobiKlinic
Industry: Healthtech
Chad Jones, 28, South Africa
Social Media Content Creator and Brand Influencer
Industry: Social media
Adedamola Oyinlola Adefolahan (Fireboy DML), 28, Nigeria
Singer-songwriter
Industry: Entertainment
Tyla Laura Seethal, 22, South Africa
Singer-Songwriter
Industry: Entertainment
Ayushi Chandaria, 26, Kenya
Founder, Design Thinking Program (Kenya)
Industry: Education
Ama Qamata, 25, South Africa
Actress, Producer
Industry: Entertainment
Daniel Novitzkas, 28, South Africa
Co-founder and Chairman of the Board, Specno
Industry: Software Development and Technology Solutions
Prisca Wegesa Magori, 29, Tanzania
CEO and Co-founder, TenTen Explore and Smart EFD
Industry: Software Development
Luke Mostert, 27, South Africa
Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer, CatalyzU
Industry: EdTech & JobTech
Arooj Sheikh, 28, Kenya
Founder and CEO, Beyond Kenyan Bars
Sector: Social development
Kenneth M. Njeru, 25, Kenya
Director and Founder, Africa Afya Healthcare
Industry: Health Investment Services
Cayley Jorgensen, 29, South Africa
CEO and Founder, Ingage Support; Registered Counselor
Sector: Mental health
Hildah Magaia, 29, South Africa
Forward for Mazatlán F.C Femenil and Banyana Banyana
Industry: Sport – Football
Victor Osimhen, 25, Nigeria
Footballer and Striker for Super Eagles
Industry: Sport – Football
Tobi Amusan, 26, Nigeria
Track and Field Athlete
Industry: Sport – Athletics
Damian Willemse, 25, South Africa
Stormers and Springboks rugby player
Industry: Sport – Rugby
Ricardo Lognath, 29, South Africa
Co-Founder and CEO, Omninela Medical
Nicolas Lognath, 27, South Africa
Co-Founder and Director, Omninela Medical
Industry: Healthcare/E-commerce
Ruth Erikan James, 29, Nigeria
Founder, Veekee James
Industry: Fashion
Shaun Maswanganyi, 23, South Africa
Track and Field Athlete
Industry: Sport – Athletics
Jeremiah Thoronka, 24, Sierra Leone
Founder and CEO, Optim Energy
Sector: Climate Change and Sustainability (Social Impact)
Calvin Usiri, 28, Tanzania
Co-founder and CTO, Ramani
Industry: Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Peace Wutawunashe, 27, Zimbabwe
Founder, Trigershot Engineering
Industry: Solar/Renewable Energy
Esethu Cenga, 29, South Africa
Co-founder and CEO, Rewoven
Industry: Fashion
Josiah Akinloye, 29, Nigeria
Founder and CEO, Mainlogix Technology
Industry: Automation and Technology
Abioye Oyetunji, 29, Ghana
Founder and CEO, FXKudi
Industry: Fintech
Nadine Roos, 27, South Africa
South African Rugby Union (Springboks) and Sevens player
Industry: Sport – Rugby