Vote for Daily Maverick’s People of the Year 2024

Each year, we spotlight individuals who have significantly influenced the events of the past year, for better or worse. Now it’s your turn to weigh in and select your “People of the Year 2024” from these standout figures. The winners will be announced in the DM168 newspaper’s special bumper edition this December. Readers are invited to vote, but please note that the editors will make the final selection.

Update: You have until Sunday, 5 PM on 8 December to cast your vote for this year's People of the Year!

Category: Person of the year

An individual or group that has made the most significant and widespread positive contributions to the nation or the world as a whole. This year’s nominees are:

Tyla
Dubbed a beacon of hope, Tyla is not only internationally recognised but also authentically South African, making us all incredibly proud. She leads the way in music by blending rich South African flavours with pop – a path that is likely to inspire countless young artists eager to fuse their African identity with global sounds. Tyla made history this year by winning a Grammy and three MTV Europe Music Awards, becoming the first African artist to win Best Afrobeats, Best African Act and Best R&B in a single night. Through her work, Tyla is taking Mzansi to the world stage, giving South African kids the inspiration to dream as big as their imaginations can carry them.

Cyril Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa accepted the ANC’s electoral loss and final result with dignity and led the party in negotiations for a government of national unity that, while stacked with some questionable ANC appointments such as the minister of justice and which is often prone to public disagreements such as the Bela Bill, NHI and the SABC Bill, is arguably the most stable governing option South Africa has for economic growth, the fight against corruption, the professionalisation of the civil service and job creation. He is absolutely vital to the coalition. Without him, it would not exist.

The South African ICJ team
In January, South Africa brought a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, arguing that its actions in Gaza after the 7 October attacks constituted violations of the Genocide Convention. It was a show of force by the country’s best legal minds who argued that the actions of the Israeli military intended to destroy, in whole or in part, the Palestinian population. The court subsequently ordered that Israel prevent the killing and harming people in Gaza, a ruling widely hailed as a historic landmark.

Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
Ramokgopa has shown decisive leadership in transforming South Africa’s energy landscape, aggressively promoting renewable energy initiatives and successfully steering the country towards energy sovereignty amid significant challenges. Under his leadership South Africa celebrated more than 100 consecutive days without load shedding – the longest period of energy stability since 2021. The IPP programme has been revitalised under Ramokgopa’s leadership, attracting substantial investments and creating about 119,000 jobs.

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Villain of the Year

An individual who engages in or is dedicated to malicious wrongdoing or criminal activities, as characterised by their significant negative impact on society or specific communities. Here are the nominees:

Thembi Simelane
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Thembi Simelane made headlines due to allegations about her involvement in a questionable loan transaction linked to VBS corruption while she was mayor of Polokwane. She has defended the transaction and despite calls for her resignation from both sides of the aisle, she remains in her position.

Jacob Zuma
A deserving nominee for many reasons in this category, former president Zuma is nominated for his unfounded claims that the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) was biased during the 2024 elections and that votes had been stolen, and for threatening unrest as a result. His MK party subsequently took the IEC to court, where it failed to produce any evidence to substantiate its claims. Having generated the intended media coverage, the party moved to withdraw its case. The IEC refused to let it, taking the opportunity to make a crucial point: if you accuse the IEC of wrongdoing in court, you must prove it, or be proven to be a liar.

Elon Musk
For the promotion of mis- and disinformation during the 2024 US elections, and effectively manipulating an election with mega bucks, Musk makes a return as nominee in this category. Even his own AI creation, Grok, has turned against him, naming him the biggest spreader of disinformation in the world. It seems he is also now America’s First Lady... standing in for Melania while she is off selling photographs of herself posing next to planes.

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Category: Moegoe of the Year

Those whose behaviour perhaps falls short of Villain of the Year but have in some way acted idiotically. Nominees:

Thabi Leoka
Leoka, a prominent economist and former adviser to Ramaphosa, got caught in a lie this year when it came to light that she falsely claimed to possess a PhD in international economics from the London School of Economics. A moegoe move if there ever was one, since her master’s degree from the institution would have more than qualified her for most the roles she occupied. In November, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange slapped her with a public censure, a R500,000 fine and immediate disqualification from holding directorship of a publicly listed company for five years.

Louis Liebenberg
If you asked Louis Liebenberg he would tell you he is simply a good Samaritan and philanthropist striving for access to the country’s mineral wealth in order to boost employment. In reality, the Jacob Zuma backer is accused of masterminding a scam that lured investors into diamond deals worth R4-billion through a combination of exaggerated promises and misleading marketing strategies.

Roman Cabanac
You’d be forgiven for thinking Cabanac’s appointment by Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen as his chief of staff must’ve been a bad joke. Known for his divisive, race-baiting commentary on social media, Cabanac frantically deleted thousands of tweets after his role became public knowledge. Among these was a tweet stating “blacks are not liberals”. On the X page for his podcast, distasteful tweets implying President Cyril Ramaphosa is a “p*es”, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula is “handicapped”, and Ramaphosa’s spokesperson is “Cyril’s Spokesretard” remain for the public to enjoy. The podcaster turned senior civil servant has since been asked to resign but remains in office earning a taxpayer-sponsored annual salary of R1.4-million.

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Category: South African Businessperson of the Year

Not just about profit but about influence that transcends the balance sheets. Nominees:

Michelle Phillips, Transnet CEO
As CEO of Transnet Phillips inherited a state-owned company that was a key site of State Capture corruption. Under her leadership it has effectively initiated recovery plans and fostered operational improvements amid significant challenges.

Pieter Engelbrecht, CEO of Shoprite Holdings
Looking to make a quick buck? Sell your Checkers Little Shop pink Discovery Vitality trolley for R1,000 on Facebook Marketplace. The highly sought after collectable item was part of the third iteration of Checkers’ Little Shop campaign which gave shoppers a Little Shop mini for every R200 spent. The mini collection included some of South Africa’s most loved and recognisable brands, including Oros, Sunlight, Vaseline and Tastic, and had shoppers in a proper frenzy. For this marketing brilliance, and for consistently outperforming the market (Checkers Sixty60 reported a 58% increase in sales for the financial year ending June 2024), we tip our hats to Engelbrecht.

Mteto Nyati
Nyati has been instrumental in restoring governance and good performance at Eskom, as well as ending load shedding. Under his leadership the utility initiated a bold two-year plan to stabilise operations during the worst load shedding crisis in South Africa’s history. Nyati has advocated for transparency and ethical leadership at the energy giant, which are crucial for restoring public trust and ensuring our energy security.

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Category: OBP Dirtbag of the Year

Individuals and entities who are hell-bent on putting profit and pollution before people. Nominees:

Al Kuwait cattle ship
Dubbed a “death ship” by activists, Capetonians could smell the Al Kuwait long before they could see it. The livestock carrier made an emergency docking for feed and fuel in Cape Town in February with 19,000 cattle after being at sea for eight days from Brazil. The NSPCA found the ship to be severely overcrowded, with animals standing in their own faeces and the health of many of them compromised. While other carriers also face scrutiny for animal welfare issues, the Al Kuwait has been highlighted as especially dire, sparking urgent calls for legislative reform in live animal exports.

Ikwezi coal mine
Community objections to the Ikwezi coal mine in KwaZulu-Natal centre on severe environmental and health impacts, including air pollution, structural damage to homes from blasting and livestock deaths due to contamination from coal dust, all of which have been exacerbated by the company’s failure to engage with residents about their grievances.

Russia
Russia has arguably emerged as the most significant bad-faith actor operating in the melting Antarctic region today. Rosgeo, Russia’s state minerals explorer, has continued looking for oil and gas in an icy wilderness that seems to be dying as a direct result of humanity’s consumption of those fuels. In October 2024, Russia, together with China, walked back critical commitments, blocking Antarctic marine protections for the seventh year in a row. As a result, commercial fishers can now hoover up krill in a single area, competing for a vital food source used by the region’s natural predators, such as whales. This consistent erosion of international rules is steadily throwing the governance of Antarctica, a precious global climate engine, into historic disarray.

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Category: OBP Heroes of the Year

The green warriors fighting for our planet’s survival. Nominees:

GKEPF
Environmental history was made by the Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation (GKEPF) on Friday, 7 June 2024 when the last of 120 white rhinos previously held in private captivity were released into a network of private and communal reserves on the western border of the Kruger National Park. It was the first reintroduction of rhino into the Great Kruger landscape in 50 years. The success of the GKEPF has been attributed to focusing on workable areas, where reserves have been able to implement access controls and the cost-effective monitoring of rhino, excellent situational awareness and high levels of integrity among personnel.

Sinegugu Zukulu and Nonhle Mbuthuma
Never underestimate a South African underdog. Oil and gas explorer Shell was ready to start seismic blasting off the Wild Coast when indigenous activists Mbuthuma and Zukulu successfully campaigned to halt the seismic testing, thereby protecting vital marine ecosystems and asserting the rights of local communities against corporate exploitation. Zukulu and Mbuthuma won the prestigious 35th Goldman Environmental Prize for Indigenous Activism for this monumental effort.

Hellen Dena
Hellen Kahaso Dena, is the project lead for the Pan-African Plastics Project at Greenpeace Africa where she has been vocal about the urgent need for African leaders to take decisive action against climate change and plastic pollution. Dena's advocacy prioritises frontline communities affected by environmental degradation. She highlights the need for sustainable alternatives and systems that respect the rights of those who have historically protected their environments. This approach not only addresses environmental issues but also promotes social justice.

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Category: Sportsperson of the Year

A sportsperson whose positive impact has been felt on or off the field. Nominees:

Tatjana Smith
Smith won two gold and two silver medals at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, making her the most decorated South African Olympian in history. Earlier in the year she also became the first South African woman to win a world title, in the 200m breaststroke.

Pieter-Steph du Toit
Du Toit made history by becoming the first South African to win the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year award twice. Known for his versatility and work ethic, he played a key role in the success of the Springboks’ 2024 World Cup campaign.

Dricus du Plessis
Du Plessis became the first South African to hold an Ultimate Fighting Championship belt after defeating Sean Strickland for the middleweight title. His impressive record of 21 wins in 23 professional fights highlights his prowess and has resonated deeply with South Africans.

Alan Hatherly
Hatherly won a bronze medal in mountain biking at the 2024 Paris Olympics, making him the first African and non-European athlete to medal in this event.

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Category: Sports Team of the Year

A team that has stood out from the rest in 2021 on or off the field. Nominees:

Proteas Women
The Proteas Women’s cricket team has had a remarkable 2024. They reached the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final for the second consecutive year, becoming the first senior South African team to achieve back-to-back appearances in a World Cup final. Their success has led to a surge in viewership and interest in women’s cricket across the country. SuperSport’s broadcasts reached nearly one million unique viewers, a 21% increase from the previous year.

The Springboks
The Springboks successfully defended their Rugby World Cup title and maintained an impressive 84.6% win record in a season during which they used a deep player pool effectively, showcasing exceptional talent and teamwork throughout the year.

Mamelodi Sundowns
Sundowns went unbeaten in 29 league matches while securing their seventh consecutive DStv Premiership title. They won six PSL Awards recently, including Coach of the Season and Player of the Season.

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Category: Artist of the Year

Hitmakers whose musical or social influence has towered above others. Nominees:

Bachir Mohammad
Lebanese artist Mohammad’s installation of 15,000 teddy bear sculptures with their feet encased in concrete symbolised the children who have lost their lives in the Gaza conflict. It served as a poignant reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis and has raised significant funds for relief efforts.

Kabza De Small and Mthunzi
This inspired duo’s collaborative album, Isimo, won Album of the Year, Duo/Group of the Year and Best Amapiano Album at the South African Music Awards. Their collaboration on the track Imithandazo not only highlights their musical synergy but also reflects their capacity to create emotionally resonant music that resonates with a wide audience, further solidifying their status as influential artists in the South African music landscape.

Zanele Muholi
Muholi is one of the most acclaimed photographers working today, and their work has been exhibited all over the world. Their collection, Faces and Phases, is on at the Tate Modern in London. It includes more than 260 photographs, presenting the full breadth of their career to date

Tyla
For all the reasons she has been nominated in the Person of the Year category.

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Category: Grinch of the Year

This category recognises those who have expertly drained the cheer from our lives in 2024, effectively vacuuming up every trace of spirit, hope, joy or positive energy from the rest of us. Nominees:

Joburg City Council. All of them.
The Johannesburg City Council has failed residents by exhibiting rampant corruption and mismanagement, resulting in severe service delivery issues, including widespread electricity and water outages, deteriorating infrastructure and a lack of accountability among officials.

The MK party
During the 2024 national elections MK leveraged tactics reminiscent of the Gupta-era disinformation campaigns, including the promotion of false narratives about vote rigging and the use of doctored images and videos to undermine trust in the electoral process. Former president and party leader Jacob Zuma furthermore threatened the Electoral Commission after the elections, leading to fears of a national unrest and exhibiting a general “sore loser” attitude.

Nersa
Nersa’s approval of substantial electricity price hikes – such as the recent 12.72% increase – has led to a cumulative rise in electricity costs of more than 450% since 2008, far outpacing inflation. This has forced many low-income households to make difficult choices between basic necessities such as food and electricity.

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Category: Community Champion of the Year

The people uplifting, defending and representing ordinary South Africans, often against all odds. Nominees:

Christine Nxumalo
After tragically losing her sister, Virginia Machpelah, in the Life Edidimeni tragedy Nxumalo became an advocate for mental health reform in South Africa.

Mbhekiseni Mavuso
Mavuso is a passionate land activist with a theological background. He is not new to activism, having co-founded the Zizameleni Youth Club in the 1980s. He has been a vocal opponent of the Bantustan system of separate development for black rural people and has worked in numerous roles to promote rural democracy.

Victoria Satchwell
Satchwell is a trailblazer in reproductive healthcare and a staunch advocate for women’s rights in South Africa. As the leader of Abortion Support South Africa, she has dedicated her work to dismantling barriers to safe and legal abortion services in a country where stigma, misinformation and limited access still jeopardise women’s health and autonomy. Recognising the gaps in the healthcare system, Satchwell launched a tele-abortion service in February 2023 to ensure women, regardless of their geographic location or social circumstances, can access the care they need.

Nkosikhona Swartbooi
Swartbooi is a long-time housing and land rights activist based in Cape Town, who draws from his experience of having grown up in Khayelitsha. He was recently the subject of a  Mother City documentary about how housing rights activists at Ndifuna Ukwazi and Reclaim the City have fought to reshape Cape Town and raise awareness of spatial inequality in the inner city. He’s an interesting figure working on the frontline of the housing crisis, which is only set to become more severe in the coming years.

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Read more in Daily Maverick: Winners of our annual People of the Year 2023 special feature.