Mugabe, Tutu and Akon make New African top 100 Africans list

The compilation, in no particular order, featured "top influencers, opinion-shapers, doers, agitators, groundbreakers and myth busters who are shaping the face Africa" and were broken down into categories, namely by sector, that include Business and Finance, Music, Science and Technology, Media, and Authors and Poets.

Robert Mugabe, the current president of Zimbabwe and controversial leader, was stated to "continue to mesmerise the world as well as vex his opponents with his ability to hold on to power," and recognised as a popular subject of discussion on Africa's political and economic future, "as people consider what there is to be learnt, or not learnt from his example."

Nelson Mandela, Graça Machel join the list

Other entrants in his category Politics and Activism include the revered Nelson Mandela, who still carries weight as Africa's elder statesman, as well as individuals behind the recent political upheavals and movements that have occurred in the past year such as Goodluck Jonathan, Salva Kiir, president of the new South Sudan and Wael Ghonim, the face of the Egyptian revolution.

Mandela was joined by his spouse Graça Machel, who was listed under Women of Influence alongside economist Dambiso Moyo, co-founder of the African Women's Development Fund, Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, and Nobel Peace Prize winner Professor Wangari Maathai. Nollywood actress Geneveive Nnaji was the only female listed under Film Actors and Actresses along with Idris Elba, Djimon Hounsou and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Bishop Desmond Tutu and singer Akon made the Traditional and Religious and Music categories respectively. Tutu, anti-apartheid campaigner and former bishop of Cape Town, was said by New African to, "stand tall among heavy-weight liberation fighters," and Akon was recognised as "the one African export who has cracked the coveted American music market with a bang."

Individuals from all walks of life

Baffour Ankomah, editor of New African commented: "This is the first Top 100 Influential Africans issue of New African. Our continent has produced, and continues to produce some impressive individuals from all walks of life who are having a profound impact not only on Africa, but on the international community. The names on the list I am sure will be discussed the length and breadth of the continent. And the list in itself is not necessarily an endorsement as such, but what it does show is the diversity of skills, talents and personalities amongst Northern and sub-Saharan Africans in contemporary times, and who are driving change across the continent and beyond."

View New African's list of influential Africans in the media.

The Top 100 Most Influential Africans is featured in the June 2011 issue that is available on newsstands now.