23 Notable alumni of University of the Free State
Updated: May 09, 2026 EliteDegrees
University of the Free State is ranked #1,063 in the world and #9 in South Africa by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 23 notable alumni from University of the Free State sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff. Many individuals affiliated with University of the Free State won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Charles Robberts Swart
1894-1982 (aged 88)
minister
politician
journalist
Charles Robberts Swart DMS, nicknamed "Blackie", was a South African politician who served as the last governor-general of the Union of South Africa from 1959 to 1961 and the first state president of the Republic of South Africa from 1961 to 1967.
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2. Jannie du Plessis
1982-. (aged 44)
physician
rugby union player
Jan Nathaniel du Plessis is a former South African rugby union player, who played as a prop for Montpellier in the French Top 14 and the Lions in Super Rugby. He played for the Free State Cheetahs in the Currie Cup and the Cheetahs in Super Rugby until 2007, when he joined Durban-based side the Sharks, where he played until...
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3. Nicolaas Johannes Diederichs
1903-1978 (aged 75)
minister
nationalists
politician
Nicolaas Johannes Diederichs, DMS served as the third state president of South Africa from 1975 to 1978.
4. Roelf Meyer
1947-. (aged 79)
minister
lawyer
politician
Roelof Petrus Meyer GCOB is a South African politician and businessman. A Member of Parliament between 1979 and 1997, he was the chief negotiator for the National Party government during the negotiations to end apartheid. He later co-founded the United Democratic Movement.
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5. Heinrich Brüssow
1986-. (aged 40)
rugby union player
Heinrich Wilhelm Brüssow is a South African former professional rugby union player. His usual position was as open-side flanker and his most recent club was Northampton Saints in the English Premiership.
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6. Gurthrö Steenkamp
1981-. (aged 45)
rugby union player
Gurthrö Garth Steenkamp is a former South African Rugby union player. He plays loosehead prop. Steenkamp had previously played for the Free State Cheetahs (Currie Cup) the Bulls and the Cats (Super 14). He made his debut for the Springboks in late 2004 against Scotland.
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7. Georg Meiring
1939-2024 (aged 85)
military personnel
General Georg Lodewyk Meiring SSA SD SM MMM was a South African military commander. He served as Chief of the Army (1990–93) and Chief of the South African National Defence Force (1993–98).
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8. Lionel Cronjé
1989-. (aged 37)
rugby union player
Lionel Cronjé is a South African rugby union footballer, currently playing for The Sharks in the Carling Currie Cup. He is a versatile back-line player who can operate as a fly-half or full-back.
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9. Karen Muir
1952-2013 (aged 61)
swimmer
physician
Karen Muir was a South African competitive swimmer. Born and raised in Kimberley, she attended the Diamantveld High School, where she matriculated in 1970.
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10. Coenie de Villiers
1956-. (aged 70)
singer
Coenie de Villiers, born 11 October 1956, is a South African singer-songwriter, pianist, pop artist who sings in his mother tongue, Afrikaans. If any comparison was required, Coenie's music is best compared to the pop/rock of Herbert Groenemeyer (German language) or Billy Joel (US English language).
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11. Philip van der Walt
1989-. (aged 37)
rugby union player
Christoffel Philippus van der Walt is a South African rugby union footballer. He plays as a number eight for the Newcastle Falcons in the IPA Greene King Championship, having previously played for theSharks in Super Rugby, Cheetahs in Super Rugby, the Free State Cheetahs in the Currie Cup, Biarritz in the French Pro D2 and Canon Eagles in the Japanese...
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12. Philip Snyman
1987-. (aged 39)
rugby sevens player
rugby union player
Philippus Albertus Borman Snyman is a South African former rugby union player and is currently the head coach of the South Africa national rugby sevens team. As a player, he was the captain of South Africa's National Rugby 7s Team, Blitzbokke. He also played as a centre or winger for the Cheetahs in both Super Rugby and the Currie Cup.
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13. Wouter Wessels
1985-. (aged 41)
politician
Wouter Wynand Wessels is a South African politician and a Member of the National Assembly of South Africa for the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus). He is also the chairperson of Parliament's Standing Committee on the Auditor General. He took office as an MP on 1 December 2017 and succeeded the former party leader Pieter Mulder, who resigned from Parliament...
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14. Antjie Krog
1952-. (aged 74)
writer
playwright
translator
poet
literary critic
Antjie Krog is a South African writer and academic, best known for her Afrikaans poetry, her reporting on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and her 1998 book Country of My Skull. In 2004, she joined the Arts faculty of the University of the Western Cape as Extraordinary Professor.
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15. Maye Musk
1948-. (aged 78)
model
dietitian
Maye Musk is a model and dietitian. She has been a model for 50 years, appearing on the covers of magazines, including a Time magazine health edition, Women's Day, international editions of Vogue, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She is the mother of Elon Musk, Kimbal Musk and Tosca Musk. She holds Canadian, South African and American citizenship. She is...
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16. Wayde van Niekerk
1992-. (aged 34)
sprinter
Wayde van Niekerk is a South African track and field sprinter who competes in the 200 and 400 metres. In the 400 metres, he is the current world and Olympic record holder, having set the record when he won the event at the 2016 Olympics.
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17. P. W. Botha
1916-2006 (aged 90)
politician
minister
Pieter Willem Botha, DMS was a South African politician who served as the last Prime Minister of South Africa from 1978 to 1984 and as the first executive State President of South Africa from 1984 until his resignation in 1989. Nicknamed 'Die Groot Krokodil' (Afrikaans for 'The Big Crocodile') due to his tough political stance, he was considered the final...
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18. Hansie Cronje
1969-2002 (aged 33)
cricketer
Wessel Johannes "Hansie" Cronje was a South African international cricketer and captain of the South Africa national cricket team in the 1990s. A right-handed all-rounder, as captain Cronje led his team to victory in 27 Test matches and 99 One Day Internationals. Cronje also led South Africa to win the 1998 ICC KnockOut Trophy, the first major ICC title the...
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19. Robert C. O'Brien
1966-. (aged 60)
diplomat
political staffer
lawyer
Robert Charles O'Brien Jr. is an American attorney who was the twenty-seventh United States national security advisor from 2019 to 2021. He was the fourth and final person to hold the position during the first presidency of Donald Trump. He is currently the chairman of the American Global Strategies consulting firm.
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20. Leon Schuster
1951-. (aged 75)
singer
screenwriter
film director
comedian
film actor
Leon Ernest "Schucks" Schuster is a South African filmmaker, comedian, actor, prankster and singer.
21. Lappies Labuschagné
1989-. (aged 37)
rugby union player
Pieter Hermias Cornelius Labuschagné is a professional rugby union player who plays as a flanker for Japan Rugby League One club Kubota Spears. Born in South Africa, he represents Japan at international level after qualifying on residency grounds.
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22. Fikile Mbalula
1971-. (aged 55)
politician
minister
Fikile April Mbalula is a South African politician and current Secretary-General of the African National Congress (ANC) since December 2022. He was a cabinet minister between 2010 and 2023, most proximately as Minister of Transport from 2019 to 2023.
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23. Zamani Saul
1972-. (aged 54)
politician
Zamani Saul is a South African politician who is the 5th and current Premier of the Northern Cape and a Member of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature. He has also been serving as the Provincial Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) since his election on 12 May 2017. He previously served as the Provincial Secretary and as the Deputy...
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