Historical figures in Johannesburg

The atlas holds 9 people and 27 moments here, from 1906 to 2023. The most recorded lives are Nelson Mandela, Nadine Gordimer and Mahatma Gandhi. Among them Writers, Political Leaders and Business Leaders, across the Space Age and the Cold War.

Notable people

  1. Nelson Mandela

    from 1941 to 2013

    16 moments here

    South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, lawyer and statesman. Mandela helped lead the African National Congress, co-founded its armed wing,…

  2. Nadine Gordimer

    from 1946 to 2014

    4 moments here

    South African novelist, short-story writer, and anti-apartheid activist whose work examined apartheid, race, power, and moral responsibility.…

  3. Mahatma Gandhi

    in 1906

    1 moment here

    Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, political ethicist, and leader of mass nonviolent resistance.…

  4. Jimmy Carter

    in 2007

    1 moment here

    James Earl Carter Jr. was an American naval officer, Georgia state senator and governor, the 39th president of the United States, and a…

  5. Helen Keller

    in 1951

    1 moment here

    Helen Adams Keller was an American deafblind author, lecturer, disability-rights advocate, and political activist.…

  6. Whitney Houston

    in 1994

    1 moment here

    American singer, actress, producer, and cultural icon known for recordings including “I Will Always Love You,” major world tours, film roles, and…

  7. Doris Lessing

    in 1956

    1 moment here

    British novelist Doris May Lessing was born in Kermanshah, Iran, grew up in Southern Rhodesia, and moved to London in 1949.…

  8. Ayrton Senna

    in 1984

    1 moment here

    Brazilian racing driver Ayrton Senna da Silva was a three-time Formula One World Drivers’ Champion.…

  9. Ebrahim Raisi

    in 2023

    1 moment here

    Iranian cleric, judicial official, and politician who served as president of Iran from 2021 until his death in a helicopter crash in 2024.…

Moments

  1. 1906 Launches satyagraha at Johannesburg meeting Mahatma Gandhi
  2. 1941 Lives in Alexandra Nelson Mandela
  3. 1941 Arrives in Johannesburg Nelson Mandela
  4. 1943 Studies law at Wits Nelson Mandela
  5. 1944 Helps found the ANC Youth League Nelson Mandela
  6. 1946 University of the Witwatersrand student Nadine Gordimer
  7. 1946 Moves to Orlando Nelson Mandela
  8. 1948 Move to Johannesburg Nadine Gordimer
  9. 1951 Eye Hospital opening address Helen Keller
  10. 1953 Opens Mandela and Tambo Nelson Mandela
  11. 1956 Refused entry after landing in Johannesburg Doris Lessing
  12. 1956 Held in Johannesburg Prison Nelson Mandela
  13. 1961 Hides at Liliesleaf Farm Nelson Mandela
  14. 1984 First Formula One point Ayrton Senna
  15. 1990 Returns to his Orlando home Nelson Mandela
  16. 1990 Welcome-home rally at FNB Stadium Nelson Mandela
  17. 1991 Signs National Peace Accord Nelson Mandela
  18. 1991 Attends opening of CODESA Nelson Mandela
  19. 1994 Johannesburg South Africa concert Whitney Houston
  20. 1995 Attends Rugby World Cup final Nelson Mandela
  21. 2007 The Elders launch Jimmy Carter
  22. 2007 Announces The Elders Nelson Mandela
  23. 2010 Makes final public appearance Nelson Mandela
  24. 2011 Secrecy-law address at Sci-Bono Nadine Gordimer
  25. 2013 Dies at his Houghton home Nelson Mandela
  26. 2014 Death at her Johannesburg home Nadine Gordimer
  27. 2023 BRICS summit meeting Ebrahim Raisi

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