Should a country be judged by the people who represent it? Can we base our perception of a nation on icons such as George Washington, Oprah Winfrey, Princess Diana? Certainly such leaders provide inspiration and direction for their fellow-citizens. And if such great human beings enjoy the support of their people, surely these people are not far behind?

A look at some of the remarkable leaders of South Africa provides an insight into the psyche of this country.

It is no exaggeration to say that democratic South Africa’s first President, Nelson Mandela, is a name that wins instant recognition – and smiles – in the most obscure corners of the world. In that sense, President Mandela (fondly but respectfully know to South Africans as “Madiba”) has become a world icon. We are happy to share him.

Mandela’s towering international reputation stems from his patient endurance of 27 years of imprisonment for his unwavering commitment to a non-racial, free and democratic future for his country. After his release in 1990 he played a crucial role in the negotiations towards our political miracle, a role which won him the Nobel Peace Prize. His statesmanship was such that his counterpart and adversary at that time, the last president of the Apartheid regime, FW De Klerk, was his chief partner in the negotiation process and thus shared the Nobel Peace Laureate with Mandela.

In the aftermath of the transition to democracy Mandela’s generosity of spirit and his creed of reconciliation overwhelmed even the most hardened of cynics and disarmed his opponents. Other divided societies with long histories of racial or religious conflict can only look on in awe.

Nelson Mandela is now retired, a world statesman to whom no heart or door is closed. To this day Mandela continues to work for the poor, especially the children and carries with him the hopes and dreams of all his people. Find out more

Although Apartheid brought worldwide opprobrium on him and his government, South Africa’s last white President, Frederick W. de Klerk, redeemed all by negotiating a peaceful new democracy. No other minority leader in recorded modern history has ever voluntarily relinquished power. Through his leadership, De Klerk, in partnership with Nelson Mandela, averted revolution and brought peace and democracy to South Africa. He was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize alongside Mandela. Find out more

Another Nobel Laureate, Desmond Tutu, former head of the Anglican Church in Southern Africa, has been known throughout his long career as a vocal and charismatic anti-apartheid spokesman. The image of his broad, kind, smiling face and his robes billowing as he led his people in protest is imprinted on the minds of all South Africans today. He chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that took place in the late nineties in South Africa, and to this day former Archbishop Tutu is one of South Africa’s most loved citizens. Find out more

Just as a tree bears which is harshly pruned bears more fruit, so societies in conflict often produce great works of art and literature. Two great contemporary South African authors have won Nobel Prizes for Literature: Nadine Gordimer and JM Coetzee. Find out more about Nadine Gordimer and JM Coetzee.

The world's first heart transplant was performed by Dr Chris Barnard in Cape Town on 3 December 1967. Barnard got the idea of transplanting a human heart after working in Minneapolis while the heart-lung machine was being perfected.

After performing the first successful kidney transplant on Edith Black, in October 1967, Barnard made medical history by performing a successful heart transplant on Louis Waskansky, who volunteered for the operation after suffering heart failure. This catapulted Barnard and Cape Town’s Groote Schuur Hospital into the realm of medical superstardom, and forever assured him a place in the annals of medical history. Find out more

Charlize Theron, the small town girl from South Africa, made the classic transition from adversity to fame. Rising from obscurity and a troubled home life, this courageous young woman followed her dream, made good in Hollywood, captured attention as a rising star and won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in the motion picture “Monster”. She is now an international celebrity, but remains an ardent ambassador for South Africa and a friend of Nelson Mandela. Find out more

Great sportsmen do not rise to the top only because they have outstanding talent. They need vision and drive and determination. They have to have almost superhuman self discipline and they need to work harder than everyone else. South Africa has plenty of these.

With our near perfect climate and love for the outdoors, we have produced sports leaders who have made their mark worldwide. Golfing greats from South Africa include Ernie Els (the “Big Easy”), Retief Goosen and Gary Player. Our rugby and cricket teams are ranked amongst the top in the world and our soccer fans have attracted enough attention for this country to win the right to host the world’s biggest single sporting event, the 2010 Soccer World Cup. And from swimming to tennis, you can find South Africans in pole position. Find out more

A true diva who has captivated audiences around the world with her rich and soaring vocal range – qualities that have earned her a joint Grammy Award with Harry Belafonte for Best Folk Recording. In 2001 she was awarded the Otto Hahn Peace Medal in Gold by the United Nations Association of Germany (DGVN) in Berlin, "for outstanding services to peace and international understanding". Find out more

A multiple Grammy Award winning traditional Zulu a capella ensemble, Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a timeless feature of the South Africa and the world musical landscape. Their haunting multi-layered vocal works have become renowned around the world, evoking the misty valleys of their KwaZulu Natal home. Find out more

He started his billion-dollar IT venture in the garage of his parent’s home, sold it to Verisign not long afterwards, and then went on to become the first African in space. Always trying to use his money for the benefit of others, he has since created the Shuttleworth Foundation, aimed at supporting essential initiatives in education and technology, as well as the Ubuntu Open Source Project. Find out more

An internationally acclaimed researcher on the DNA origins of humankind, she is a principal investigator with the Genographic Project, that aims to map the story of the human journey from Africa, the cradle of humankind. Find out more

Click here to find out more about the people of South Africa.