Grégoire Kayibanda was the first president of Rwanda. He was born on May 1, 1924, in Musambira, Rwanda. He attended primary school in his home village and then in 1947 he completed his studies at the Major Seminary in Nyakibanda, Rwanda. Kayibanda then worked as … Read MoreGrégoire Kayibanda (1924-1976)
André Muhirwa was the first prime minister of independent Burundi. He was born in 1920 in Murete, Ruanda-Urundi (then a Belgian colony). His father, Mbanzabugabo, was a rural chief. In 1930 when Muhirwa’s father died the Belgian colonial government appointed a successor to the chieftaincy … Read MoreAndré Muhirwa (1920-2003)
Maurice Yaméogo was the first President of the west African nation of Upper Volta, today known as Burkina Faso. He was born in the town of Koudougou, Upper Volta (then a French colony) on December 31, 1921. He had a twin sister, Wamanegbo. His parents … Read MoreMaurice Yaméogo (1921-1993)
François Tombalbaye was the first President of Chad. He was born on June 15, 1918 in the village of Bessada in southern Chad which was then a French colony. His family were from the Sara ethnic group. Tombalbaye attended primary school in the town of … Read MoreFrançois Tombalbaye (1918-1975)
Modibo Keita, the first President of Mali, was born on June 4, 1915, in Bamako-Coura, Upper Senegal and Niger (current Mali). He was the son of Daba Keita and Fatoumata Camara. His family claimed direct descent from Sundiata Keita the first ruler of the Mali … Read MoreModibo Keita (1915-1977)
Hamani Diori was the first President of Niger. He was born June 6, 1916, in Soudoure, Niger, French West Africa. His father was a public health officer. After attending local schools, he went to the William Ponty Teacher Training College in Dakar, Senegal. After completing … Read MoreHamani Diori (1916-1989)
Philibert Tsiranana was the first president of the Malagasy Republic (now Madagascar). He was born on October 18, 1912, in Ambarikorano, Sofia Region, Madagascar. His parents were Madiomanana and Fisadoha Tsiranana. They were from the Tsimihety ethnic group and were cattle ranchers. As a young … Read MorePhilibert Tsiranana (1912-1978)
Mamphela Ramphele is a South African political leader and physician known for her anti-apartheid activism. Ramphele was born on December 28, 1947, in Uitkyk, located in North West province of South Africa, but spent her childhood in Kranspoort, Limpopo province. In 1962, she attended Bethesda … Read MoreMamphela Ramphele (1947- )
Albertina Sisulu was a South African politician and nurse known for her anti-apartheid activism. Sisulu was born Nontsikelo Thethiwe on October 21, 1918 in Tsomo, Eastern Cape province, formerly a part of Transkei, then a British protectorate but later an autonomous region reserved for Xhosa … Read MoreAlbertina Sisulu (1918-2011)
Rita Gertrudis Bosaho is the first person of color, male or female, to be elected to a seat in the Spanish Parliament. She was born on May 21, 1965, in Malabo, the capital city of the coastal central African nation of Equatorial Guinea, a former … Read MoreRita Gertrudis Bosaho (1965- )
