Encyclopaedia Africana

Political Leaders, Statemen & Traditional Rulers

  • 3 Min Read

Negus Takla Haymanot (1847-January 10, 1901) was the ruler of Gojam from 1870 to 1901. He was the son of Dajazmach Tassama Goshu, and his...

  • 2 Min Read

Goolam H. Gool (1907-December 2, 1962) was a prominent Coloured politician, who aspired to the leadership of the South African Coloured community, a goal he...

  • 3 Min Read

Jan Hendrik (“Onze Jan”‘ Hofmeyr, (July 4, 1845-October 16, 1909), was a Cape Afrikaner political leader. He was educated in Cape Town at Tot Nuit...

  • 3 Min Read

Jan (Frederik) Hendrik Homeyr (March 20, 1894-December 3, 1948), classicist and politician, was the son of Andries Brink Hofmeyr and Deborah Catherina, née Beyers. His...

  • 4 Min Read

Hintsa (circa 1790-1835) was ruler of the Galeka, the eastern and senior branch of the Xhosa, from about 1820 until 1835. He was the tenth...

  • 5 Min Read

Leander Starr Jameson, (February 9, 1853-November 26, 1917), was a physician, politician, and administrator. He is remembered above all as the leader of the failed...

  • 4 Min Read

James Barry Munnik Hertzog (April 3, 1866-November 21, 1942), a lawyer and Boer general, was prime minister of South Africa from 1924-39. A new phase...

  • 3 Min Read

Nicolaas Christiaan Havenga (May 1. 1882-March 13, 1957) was a politician and cabinet minister. He was a lifelong associate and friend of General J.B.M. Hertzog....

  • 2 Min Read

Dajazmach Gabra Selassé Barya Gabr (1872-October 14, 1930) was a warrior, governor, and counsellor of Emperor Menilek II. He came from an aristocratic family of...

  • 2 Min Read

Dajazmach Mangasha Jambaré (May 15, 1892-April 14, 1950) was one of the patriotic heroes of the resistance to the Italian occupation of Ethiopia (1936-41). Born...

Editor’s Note

This website features a collection of articles largely from previously published volumes of the Encyclopaedia Africana, specifically the Encyclopaedia Africana Dictionary of African Biography, which highlights notable individuals from various regions of Africa. Please note that in these volumes, some names of people, towns, and countries were spelled differently than they are today. We have retained these historical spellings to preserve the integrity of the original publications. In some instances, the current spellings are also provided for easy reference.
Please report errors to: info@encyclopaediaafricana.com / research@encyclopaediaafricana.com

Support Encyclopaedia Africana

Help us create more content and preserve African knowledge. Your donation makes a difference! [Donate Now]

Working Hours

8:00am–4:30pm, Monday-Friday

Office Location

Campus of CSIR Airport Residential Area, Accra-Ghana

The Encyclopaedia Africana Project is an AU Flagship Project with the mission to produce and publish peer reviewed articles devoted mainly to Africa and its people.

Encyclopaedia Africana