Daily Maverick has unveiled the complete winners of its People of the Year 2025 awards, based on over 10,000 reader votes. Following our in-depth profile on Rassie Erasmus as Person of the Year, the full list celebrates impactful figures across positive and negative categories in South Africa and beyond.
Daily Maverick's annual People of the Year awards for 2025, announced on December 31, recognize individuals who shaped the year—for better or worse. Nominees were selected by editors in mid-November across categories including Person of the Year, Villain of the Year, Artist of the Year, Businessperson of the Year, Women for Change, and Community Champion of the Year. Over 10,379 reader votes were cast, with editorial endorsement of all results.
As detailed in our earlier coverage, Rassie Erasmus tops the list as Person of the Year for his transformative Springboks leadership.
Other highlights include:
- Women for Change: A running club that became a global advocate against South Africa's gender-based violence crisis.
- Lifetime Achievement: Jane Goodall, honored for bridging humanity and nature through primatology.
- Villain of the Year: John Steenhuisen, criticized for an environmental blunder causing international embarrassment.
- Sports Team of the Year: The Proteas Men's cricket team for unprecedented Test success.
- Businessperson of the Year: Jannie Mouton, for building Curro on entrepreneurial principles.
- Artist of the Year: Ms Rachel, for educational content and advocacy for Gazan children.
- Community Champion: Yumna Alexander, for supporting matric retakes and community upliftment.
Panyaza Lesufi also drew criticism in a related category for issues with Gauteng's amaPanyaza police.
These reader-driven awards reflect key influences of 2025.
