Blade Runner pips Oprah to the post

20 April 2012 - 02:03 By ANDILE NDLOVU
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Sprinter Oscar Pistorius is the only South African on Time magazine's list this year of the 100 most influential people in the world Picture: SYDNEY SESHIBEDI
Sprinter Oscar Pistorius is the only South African on Time magazine's list this year of the 100 most influential people in the world Picture: SYDNEY SESHIBEDI

Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius can lay claim to something not even media billionaire Oprah Winfrey has - a spot among Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.

The 25-year-old is the only South African to make the list this year, alongside big names such as US business magnate Warren Buffett, International Monetary Fund managing director Christine Lagarde, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, US President Barack Obama and singers Rihanna, Adele and Raphael Saadiq.

The "Blade Runner" has appeared on the list before, in 2008, as one of the most influential heroes and pioneers.

President Jacob Zuma was the other South African on the 2008 list, appearing alongside the Dalai Lama and Hillary Clinton, among the 20 most influential leaders and revolutionaries in the world.

Pistorius said yesterday: "[I was included] because of the great team behind me. I won't let them down. We have the Olympics coming in July, I'm working hard to make them happy.

"I will be off to Europe in the next few days for a series of competitions," he said.

Pistorius said he wanted to set up a foundation to help needy people on his home continent.

"I have been working with landmine victims in Africa. I will be starting a foundation before the end of the year to help people in Africa with prosthetic legs."

Pistorius was awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year title in 2007 and has received the Order of Ikhamanga in bronze.

Last year, he became the face of French designer Thierry Mugler's A*Men fragrance.

Other South Africans who have appeared on Time's list include former minister of public enterprises Barbara Hogan (2009), former first lady Graca Machel (2010) and artist William Kentridge (2009).

Forbes' Top 40 Most Powerful and Influential Celebrities in Africa list included singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka, film director Neill Blomkamp, musician Hugh Masekela and music group Freshlyground.

Julius Malema made Forbes' 10 Most Powerful Young Men in Africa list last year. - Additional reporting by Ramatsiyi Moholoa

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