Dreamers, dazzlers and doers

Top 10

1. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka: The driver of the magic 6% growth campaign.

2 and 3. Thulani Gcabashe and Maria Ramos: Eskom CEO Gcabashe for the size of his programme: R84-billion; Transnet CEO Ramos for her ongoing efforts to stabilise the troubled parastatal.

4. Peter Wharton Hood: We tip the Standard Bank head of retail banking to succeed Jaco Maree.

5. Patrice Motsepe: The gold and platinum price blew in his favour this year, but his wealth now spreads beyond that.

6. Phuthuma Nhleko: The MTN CEO has led the company through phenomenal growth, with nine acquisitions this year.

7. Jonathan Oppenheimer: Will soon drive his family’s investments in Africa.

8. Lebohang Mokoena: The 20-year-old Pirates striker is our most exciting football prospect.

9. Danny Jordaan: The man in charge of bringing World Cup 2010 to South Africa.

10. Mail & Guardian: This feisty newspaper will continue to break the stories that count.

Politics and Government

11. Kgalema Motlanthe: A unifying figure in a divided party.

12. Charlotte Lobe: One of the young Turks intent on reviving the moribund ANC Women’s League.

13. Joanne Downs: Energetic ACDP deputy president who keeps the KwaZulu-Natal legislature on its toes.

14. Obed Bapela: ANC MP who is a growing force in foreign affairs.

15. Juanita Terblanche: DA whip in the National Council of Provinces. Young, committed and media savvy.

16. Lucky Montana: The transport deputy director general, charged with overhauling public transport.

17. Fatima Chohan-Khota: As chairperson, must steer Parliament’s controversy-torn justice committee.

18. Portia Molefe: Public enterprises director general. A trained economist, unfazed by overseeing CEOs like Ramos and Khaya Ngqula.

19. Astrid Ludin: Deputy director general in the Department of Trade and Industry, she must ensure that watchdogs such as the Competition Commission continue to bite.

20. Phakamani Hadebe: A growing force as deputy director general of asset and liability management at the national Treasury.

21. Silumko Nondwangu: The National Union of Metalworkers’ general secretary, becoming a Cosatu political heavyweight.

22. Iqbal Sharma-Meer: The acting deputy director general of international trade is a trade negotiator in the making.

23. Lesetja Kganyago: An inspired choice as Treasury director general.

24. Nhlanhla Gumede: His recent suspension notwithstanding, Gumede is a bright spark.

Business

25 and 26. Brian Molefe and Albertinah Ngwezi: CEO and COO of the Public Investment Commission and boardroom activists of note.

27. Sizwe Nxasana: After taking over First Rand Retail, now has senior positions in two top 40 companies.

28. Peter Moyo: Africa head for Alexander Forbes, will lead the firm’s continental charge.

29. Thabo Dloti: The new deputy MD at Old Mutual. May run our largest financial services group while MD Roddy Sparks beds down Skandia.

30. Philisiwe Buthelezi: The National Empowerment Fund CEO can practise what she preached as department of trade and industry’s empowerment head.

31. Gugu Moloi: Umgeni Water CEO, non-executive director of the FirstRand Group and member of the Financial and Fiscal Commission.

32. Heather Sonn: The CEO of Legae Securities remains a leading light in empowerment.

33. Jack van der Merwe: Has the unenviable task of delivering the Gautrain.

34. Vuyo Jack: Chartered accountant and pioneer of empowerment rating.

35. Yolanda Cuba: Sharpening her deal-making skills as Mvelaphanda Holdings deputy CEO.

36. Karl Socikwa: Interim chairperson of the beleaguered Second National Operator and Transtel CEO, now absorbed into Transnet.

37. Vuyani Ngalwana: The Pension Fund Adjudicator represents all that is good in the fight for economic justice.

38. Tracy Cohen: An asset to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa.

39. The (not yet appointed) SNO CEO: We wish him/her well.

40. Papi Molotsane: The new Telkom CEO must steer the giant through uncertain times.

41. Sidney Mhlarhi: The Makalani Investments Holdings CEO must convince sceptical markets that BEE can bring returns.

42. David Jarvis: Owns UUnet, pioneering partnerships with municipalities in offering telecoms services.

43. Tony van Kralingen: We tip the SAB MD to succeed Graham McKay as SABMiller head.

44. Kennedy Bungane: Former Association for Black Securities and Investment Professionals (Absip) leader and Standard Bank executive for empowerment.

45. Sello Moloko: The incoming Absip president is the new voice of black professionals.

46. Jerry Vilakazi: President designate of Business Unity South Africa and the voice of business to the government.

47. Nolitha Fakude: As one of Sasol’s three top executives, must transform the fuel giant.

48. Zanele Mavuso Mbatha: The US-educated deputy chairperson of Incwala Resources brings New York savvy to her job.

49. Nomfundo Qangule: As Harmony financial director, among the top black appointees in the mining sector.

50. Mpho Nkeli: As Alexander Forbes HR and BEE executive is key to shaping private sector empowerment.

51. Ronnie Ntuli: Leads a generation of future young black entrepreneurs.

52. Mandla Gantsho: The Development Bank of Southern Africa head has made development finance fashionable.

Commentators and Academics

53. Rejane Woodroffe: The Metropolitan asset managers economist adds a social dimension to her economics.

54. Nazmeera Moolla: Reuters’ South African economist of the year.

55. Caleb Maqubela: The dynamic CEO of Unitech, leader in education marketing and development.

56. Professor Jyoti Mistry: The head of Wits University’s TV unit combines academic prowess with creative brilliance.

57. Brian Ramadiro: A researcher in Wits University’s education policy unit, emerging as a major voice in the struggle for education rights.

58. Anausuya Chinsamy-Turan: The Shoprite Checkers Woman of the year and zoologist is a leader in the field of palaeo-biology.

59. Professor Helen Rees: A pioneering researcher who focuses on the impact of Aids and sexual violence on women.

60. Hoosen “Jerry” Coovadia: Internationally recognised paediatric Aids specialist.

61. Diane Hildebrandt: Wits University chemical engineer awarded an A rating by the National Research Foundation in 2004.

62. Batmanathan Dayanand Reddy: Awarded the Order of Mapungubwe for outstanding contributions to mathematics and science.

63. Tshildzi Marwala: Also a recipient of the order of Mapungubwe, he is a professor of electrical engineering at Wits.

64. Chris Malikane: Wits economist with an unconventional approach to monetary economics.

Arts

65. David Kibuuka: The Ugandan-born comedian is now an established part of the local comedy scene.

66. Wim Botha: Recently named 2005 Standard Bank Young Artist for Visual Art.

67: Presley Chwengagae: Landed the lead role in Tsotsi and won various awards for it at the Cape Town World Cinema Festival.

68. Lerato Moloisane: Provided the TV moment of the year when she confronted Nthati Moshesh for abandoning her as a child in Home Affairs.

69. Johnny Steinberg: The award-winning author of Midlands and The Number.

70. Michelle Matthews: Editor at the groundbreaking all-woman publishing house Oshun Books.

71. Freshly Ground: The band most capable of surprising us in the years ahead.

72. Felix Laband: The most cutting-edge electronica artist in South Africa, who netted a contract with prestigious German dance imprint Compost.

73. Kudzanai Chiurai: The new voice of Zimbabwean artistic dissent. A mixed media artist, using spraycans and chalk.

74. Real Estate Agents: Leftfield hip-hop producers DJ Sibot and Markus Wormstorm held their own against some of Europe’s heaviest digital musicians.

75. Prokid: The Soweto-born MC has paved the way for more township MCs to mould local hip-hop into a South African expression.

76. Reuben Riffel: Chef de Cuisine and co-owner of Reuben’s restaurant.

77. Dr Sue Goldstein: The senior manager of research for Soul City. It takes Goldstein and her team 18 months to develop and produce each series.

78. David Goldbatt: At 75, he remains South Africa’s most important photographer.

79. Guy Tillim: Has emerged as the rock star of South African photography in recent years.

Sport

80. Bryan Habana: The 22-year-old Blue Bulls and Springbok wing was rugby player of the year, with 15 tries in 15 Tests.

81. Roland Schoeman: The 25-year-old swimmer set two world records at the World Championships and refused to become a Qatari.

82. Ashleigh Simon: South Africa’s 16-year-old answer to Michelle Wie. Will represent South Africa in the Women’s World Cup in January.

83. Pitso Mosimane: Heads the list of candidates to coach Bafana in 2010. His success at Supersports is a shining example of what local coaches can do.

84. Jake White: The best hope for winning the Rugby World Cup since 1995.

Civil Society and Law

85. Nicky Naylor: Activist at the Women’s Legal Centre and tireless in the struggle for gender equality.

86. Elinor Sisulu: Dedicated to helping Zimbabwe’s political victims.

87. Fatima Hassan: The Aids activist and legal eagle has recently completed her LLM at Duke University.

88. Doris Tshepe: Who gets the M&G out of trouble. A judge in the making.

Media

89. and 90. Maria McCloy and Kutluano Skosana: The owners of Rage productions have enjoyed almost a decade of tireless experimentation.

91. Given Mkhari: The former MetroFM DJ and talkshow host who ois set to blaze a trail as a media owner.

92. Bronwyn Keene Young: The e.tv head is relentless in her bid to improve local content.

93. Dali Mpofu: The SABC’s CEO has much to sort out at the public broadcaster.

Environment

94. Alf Wills: Deputy director of international relations at the Department of Environmental Affairs.

95. Michael Masuluke: The community leader of the Kruger National Park Forum.

96. Michele Pickover: Founder of Xwe African Wild Life, South Africans against Vivisection and Elephants Alive.

97. May Hermanus: Tough former mine inspector who will now head Wits’s Centre for Sustainability in Mining and Industry.

Religion

98. Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein: Co-author of African Soul Talk with Dumani Mandela.

99. Sheikh Ebrahim Gabriels: Currently in his second term as Muslim Judicial Council president.

100: Bishop Masechaba Mofokeng: Leader of the Holy Jerusalem Church of Repentance in Jabulani, Soweto. — Additional reporting by M&G staff