Biographies of Historical Figures
Biographies of significant figures from throughout Africa's history. Study the lives of explorers, rulers, artists, warriors, and thinkers who had a prominent role in the development of the continent.
Photo Gallery of African Leaders
Browse through this photo gallery of African Leaders.
Browse through this photo gallery of African Leaders.
Travels in West Africa by Mary Kingsley
Brief review of Travels in West Africa by Mary Kingsley -- a captivating account of "One Woman's Epic and Eccentric Journey in the 1890s.
Brief review of Travels in West Africa by Mary Kingsley -- a captivating account of "One Woman's Epic and Eccentric Journey in the 1890s.
Dark Safari by John Bierman
For such a great explorer there is a shortage of good material in-print. This biography by John Bierman makes an ideal companion to Stanley's own books and autobiography.
For such a great explorer there is a shortage of good material in-print. This biography by John Bierman makes an ideal companion to Stanley's own books and autobiography.
Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton by Edward Rice
Richard Burton was an outstanding Victorian figure, who's achievements are described in delightful and absorbing detail in this definitive biography by Edward Rice.
Richard Burton was an outstanding Victorian figure, who's achievements are described in delightful and absorbing detail in this definitive biography by Edward Rice.
Quotes on PW Botha
A selection of quotes on PW Botha
A selection of quotes on PW Botha
Quotes: PW Botha
A selection of quotes by PW Botha
A selection of quotes by PW Botha
TRC Finding on Former President PW Botha
Finding on Former President PW Botha, as given in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, Volume Five, Chapter Six: Findings and Conclusions, section 102.
Finding on Former President PW Botha, as given in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, Volume Five, Chapter Six: Findings and Conclusions, section 102.
Biography of PW Botha, Apartheid Era President
PW Botha was the archetypal hardheaded Afrikaner politician. Known as the Great Crocodile because of his abrasive nature, he lead South Africa's white-minority government during the most violent years of anti-Apartheid resistance.
PW Botha was the archetypal hardheaded Afrikaner politician. Known as the Great Crocodile because of his abrasive nature, he lead South Africa's white-minority government during the most violent years of anti-Apartheid resistance.
'Miss Helen', South Africa's Foremost Outsider Artist
Helen Martins (Miss Helen) is considered South Africa's foremost Outsider Artist.
Helen Martins (Miss Helen) is considered South Africa's foremost Outsider Artist.
Photo Gallery of African Leaders
Browse through this photo gallery of African Leaders.
Browse through this photo gallery of African Leaders.
Biography: Idi Amin Dada
Idi Amin, who became known as the 'Butcher of Uganda' for his brutal, despotic rule whilst president of Uganda in the 1970s, is possibly the most notorious of all Africa's post-independence dictators. Find out more in this biography.
Idi Amin, who became known as the 'Butcher of Uganda' for his brutal, despotic rule whilst president of Uganda in the 1970s, is possibly the most notorious of all Africa's post-independence dictators. Find out more in this biography.
Sonni Ali
The West African monarch who ruled Songhai from 1464 to 1492. Sonni Ali expanded a small kingdom along the Niger River into one of medieval Africa's greatest empires.
The West African monarch who ruled Songhai from 1464 to 1492. Sonni Ali expanded a small kingdom along the Niger River into one of medieval Africa's greatest empires.
Idi Amin Dada
Idi Amin, who became known as the 'Butcher of Uganda' for his brutal, despotic rule whilst president of country in the 1970s, is possibly the most notorious of all Africa's post-independence dictators.
Idi Amin, who became known as the 'Butcher of Uganda' for his brutal, despotic rule whilst president of country in the 1970s, is possibly the most notorious of all Africa's post-independence dictators.
Stephen Bantu (Steve) Biko
The brutal circumstances of Biko's death in a Pretoria prison cell caused a worldwide outcry and he became a martyr and symbol of black resistance to the oppressive Apartheid regime.
The brutal circumstances of Biko's death in a Pretoria prison cell caused a worldwide outcry and he became a martyr and symbol of black resistance to the oppressive Apartheid regime.
Stephen Bantu (Steve) Biko
A more detailed biography of South Africa’s black resistance leader Steve Biko.
A more detailed biography of South Africa’s black resistance leader Steve Biko.
René-Auguste Caillié
A biography of the French explorer René-Auguste Caillié, the first European to visit and return from Timbuktu, once believed by Europeans to be a semi-mythical 'city-of-gold'.
A biography of the French explorer René-Auguste Caillié, the first European to visit and return from Timbuktu, once believed by Europeans to be a semi-mythical 'city-of-gold'.
Quotes: René-Auguste Caillié
A selection of quotes by or about René-Auguste Caillié.
A selection of quotes by or about René-Auguste Caillié.
Martin Thembisile (Chris) Hani
The assassination of Chris Hani, the charismatic leader of the South African Communist Party, on 10 April 1993 was pivotal in the ending of Apartheid. Why was this man was considered such a threat to both the extreme-right wing in South Africa and the new, moderate leadership of the African National Congress?
The assassination of Chris Hani, the charismatic leader of the South African Communist Party, on 10 April 1993 was pivotal in the ending of Apartheid. Why was this man was considered such a threat to both the extreme-right wing in South Africa and the new, moderate leadership of the African National Congress?
TRC findings on the Hani Assassination
TRC ruled that Hani "had been assassinated by right-wing extremists who were apparently acting independently". Read the report's conclusions.
TRC ruled that Hani "had been assassinated by right-wing extremists who were apparently acting independently". Read the report's conclusions.
Sir Seretse Khama
Sir Seretse Khama, the first president of Botswana and a highly regarded nationalist leader, guided his country to political and economic independence.
Sir Seretse Khama, the first president of Botswana and a highly regarded nationalist leader, guided his country to political and economic independence.
Mary Henrietta Kingsley
Mary Kingsley was an British explorer and writer who greatly influenced European ideas about Africa and its people. Kingsley was an outspoken critic of European colonialism, a champion for indigenous customs, and campaigned for Britain to support traders and merchants in Africa rather than settlers and missionaries.
Mary Kingsley was an British explorer and writer who greatly influenced European ideas about Africa and its people. Kingsley was an outspoken critic of European colonialism, a champion for indigenous customs, and campaigned for Britain to support traders and merchants in Africa rather than settlers and missionaries.
Mary Henrietta Kingsley
A detailed, three-part biography of the explorer and writer Mary Kingsley.
A detailed, three-part biography of the explorer and writer Mary Kingsley.
Louis-Hurbert Lyautey
A brief biography of the first French Resident General of Morocco.
A brief biography of the first French Resident General of Morocco.
Chief Albert Luthuli
Africa's first winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace and president of the ANC until his death (under mysterious circumstances) in 1967.
Africa's first winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace and president of the ANC until his death (under mysterious circumstances) in 1967.
DF Malan
Dr DF Malan was a champion of Afrikaner nationalism and first prime minister of the Apartheid government in South Africa. During his six-and-a-half years of power Malan and his Re-united National Party laid the foundation for 46 years of Apartheid.
Dr DF Malan was a champion of Afrikaner nationalism and first prime minister of the Apartheid government in South Africa. During his six-and-a-half years of power Malan and his Re-united National Party laid the foundation for 46 years of Apartheid.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on 18 July 1918 in the small village of Mvezo, on the Mbashe River, district of Umtata in Transkei, South Africa. His Father named him Rolihlahla, which means "pulling the branch of the tree", or more colloquially "troublemaker."
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on 18 July 1918 in the small village of Mvezo, on the Mbashe River, district of Umtata in Transkei, South Africa. His Father named him Rolihlahla, which means "pulling the branch of the tree", or more colloquially "troublemaker."
Thomas Joseph Mboya
Tom Mboya was a Kenyan trade unionist and statesman. Earmarked as Jomo Kenyatta's successor, Mboya was assassinated six years into independence, sparking tribal unrest between Kenyatta's Kikuyu supporters and Mboya's Luo.
Tom Mboya was a Kenyan trade unionist and statesman. Earmarked as Jomo Kenyatta's successor, Mboya was assassinated six years into independence, sparking tribal unrest between Kenyatta's Kikuyu supporters and Mboya's Luo.
Cetshwayo kaMpande
Cetshwayo was the last king of an independent Zulu nation. His warriors defeated the British at Isandlwana, only to be later subdued at oNdini. Cetshwayo returned to Zululand after a short exile to rule briefly before defeat by his rival Zibhebhu.
Cetshwayo was the last king of an independent Zulu nation. His warriors defeated the British at Isandlwana, only to be later subdued at oNdini. Cetshwayo returned to Zululand after a short exile to rule briefly before defeat by his rival Zibhebhu.
Quotes: Cetshwayo kaMpande
A selection of quotes by or about Cetshwayo kaMpande.
A selection of quotes by or about Cetshwayo kaMpande.
Mungo Park
Mungo Park, a Scottish surgeon and explorer, was sent out by the 'Association for Promoting the Discovery of the Interior of Africa' to discover the course of the River Niger. Having achieved a degree of fame from his first trip, carried out alone and on foot, he returned to Africa with a party of 40 Europeans, all of whom lost their lives in the adventure.
Mungo Park, a Scottish surgeon and explorer, was sent out by the 'Association for Promoting the Discovery of the Interior of Africa' to discover the course of the River Niger. Having achieved a degree of fame from his first trip, carried out alone and on foot, he returned to Africa with a party of 40 Europeans, all of whom lost their lives in the adventure.
Olive Emilie Albertina Schreiner
Olive Schreiner achieved international fame with her book The Story of an African Farm. She was also an outspoken advocate of feminism, socialism, and pacifism, and a critic of European imperialism. Her published works include social and political treatises, allegorical tales and short stories, as well as the (once) famous feminist credo Women and Labour.
Olive Schreiner achieved international fame with her book The Story of an African Farm. She was also an outspoken advocate of feminism, socialism, and pacifism, and a critic of European imperialism. Her published works include social and political treatises, allegorical tales and short stories, as well as the (once) famous feminist credo Women and Labour.
Walter Sisulu
Walter Sisulu, influential anti-Apartheid activist and co-founder of the African National Congress Youth League and Umkhonto weSizwe (the armed wing of the ANC), died on Monday 5th May at his Johannesburg home, only 13 days before his 91st birthday.
Walter Sisulu, influential anti-Apartheid activist and co-founder of the African National Congress Youth League and Umkhonto weSizwe (the armed wing of the ANC), died on Monday 5th May at his Johannesburg home, only 13 days before his 91st birthday.
Joe Slovo
Joe Slovo, anti-Apartheid activist, was one of the founders of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the armed wing of the ANC, and was general secretary of the South African Communist Party during the 1980s.
Joe Slovo, anti-Apartheid activist, was one of the founders of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the armed wing of the ANC, and was general secretary of the South African Communist Party during the 1980s.
Quotes: Joe Slovo
A selections of quotes by or about Joe Slovo.
A selections of quotes by or about Joe Slovo.
Danie Theron
Danie Theron was a true patriot -- believing in the just and divine right of the Boer to stand against British interference.
Danie Theron was a true patriot -- believing in the just and divine right of the Boer to stand against British interference.
Herman Animba Toivo ja Toivo
Herman Toivo ja Toivo, one of the co-founders of the South West African People's Organisation (SWAPO), may be considered to be the father of the Namibian independence struggle. Toivo stayed in South West Africa to face imprisonment...
Herman Toivo ja Toivo, one of the co-founders of the South West African People's Organisation (SWAPO), may be considered to be the father of the Namibian independence struggle. Toivo stayed in South West Africa to face imprisonment...