From Actors To Billionaire, These Celebrities Have Fallen In Love With South Africa

Salena Harshini |Mar 11, 2021

By visiting or working in South Africa, these famous personalities have developed a special bond with the country and do not shy away from showing it.

South Africa makes a lot of people fall in love, including many international famous names. Here we would like to introduce to you the top 10 celebrities who love South Africa.

1. Will Smith

The Man in Black actor has earned a rank in the pop culture world as an actor and a rapper.

Will Smith And Nelson Mandela — Will Smith and late president Nelson Mandela.

After taking a tour of the Panama Route near the Kruger Park, he was extremely moved and shared,

“It feels like God visits everywhere else, but lives in Africa”.

2. Taraji P Henson

Another actor among the celebrities who love South Africa is Taraji P Henson. The actress, author, and singer found the country fantastic, especially the food. As she does not like bland food, South African dishes are like the apple in her eyes.

“I love South African food because it’s flavourful, your taste buds dance, you just never know what combinations… very spicy. I love food that you can taste.”

3. Shakira

When the singer attended the 2010 Fifa World Cup, she immediately fell for the nation and developed a close bond to the continent. She described it as a continent that is full of colors, smiles, feelings, kids with talents and just need an opportunity to shine.

Shakira In Waka Waka — Celebrities who love South Africa also include singer Shakira.

“I’ve learned to see Africa with new eyes, from the perspective of a continent that has given the world so much, that has nourished it like a mother nourishes her child. (…) I wasn’t surprised to find so much beauty, but I never expected to see such warm, gentle and loving people; I had never been given that much love, that many hugs and kisses, that many smiles. That is what makes me believe in humankind over and over again.”

One of her most songs is Waka Waka which was filmed in South Africa.

4. Dave Matthews

He described the nation as a melting pot where one can find cultural collisions that resulted in music and art.

Dave Matthews is among the top respected musicians in the world. Moreover, another reason that explains why he is in love with South Africa is that he was born in Johannesburg.

5. Tom Hiddleston

The infamous Loki is known for his charming looks and prime acting prowess. Hiddleston has definitely visited various places in the world but Africa is special to him.

Tom Hiddleston In South Africa — The Avengers actor also visited SA as a representative of UNICEF.

Visiting the country, he described that he could see the edge of the world.

“I feel as though a cardboard box of my own reality has been flattened and blown open.

6. Leonardo DiCaprio

The Oscar-winning actor is no stranger to SA. Apart from acting as a South African in the hit film Blood Diamond, he has also spent some time in the nation. The Inception actor described that its natural beauty is unmatched.

Leonardo Dicaprio In Blood Diamond — “I saw a pack of 35 lions eat a wildebeest carcass and swam with giant manta rays. That was unbelievable.”

7. Jared Leto

The blue-eyed actor also finds himself falling for the country. For the unknown, it has even inspired him to make one or two songs.

Jared Leto At South African Elephant Park — Jared Leto at South African Elephant Park.

In detail, he said,

“We have been very lucky in that we have toured South Africa twice, and plan on coming back. It’s one of the great inspiring places, a magical place and some of our best shows have been in your beautiful country.

We’ve been inspired to write songs there, and recording there was an experience to be remembered."

8. Richard Branson

Not an actor, but Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is a famed and rich business magnate, author, and investor. This is what he commented on South Africa,

'I love Africa, and Ulusaba, our home in South Africa, is pretty special. It’s on a rock overlooking the bush, and from your room, you can see lions stalking zebras by the waterhole”.

9. Roger Federer

The iconic tennis player is also one of the celebrities who love South Africa. Some may not know that his mother was actually born here. Apart from appreciating great places, he must have a unique connection to this country.

“My heart is in South Africa, through my mum. My mum being from here, me spending a lot of time here as well, I feel most connected to this part of the world.”

10. Heston Blumenthal

The celebrity chef from Britain doesn’t mince his words at all when describing Africa. Winelands probably has a special place in his heart but he also love SA in general for its unmatched variety and flavor.