Have all the titans left SA?

Can we claim South Africa-born entrepreneur Elon Musk as one of our own?

Without him, there is no South African representative in Time Magazine's 2013 list of the world's 100 most influential persons.

Musk is a business icon in the US and, in the latest list, he was placed in the "titans" basket in recognition of his incredible rise to power and fame.

He is the CEO of both electric-car maker Tesla Motors and rocket maker Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) in Los Angeles.

Oscar Pistorius's name appeared on the Time Magazine list last year , but the killing of his girlfriend in his upmarket residence has tarnished his reputation.

No South African cracked a nod in the 2011 list .

The Time Magazine list first came out in 2003.

A look at the names announced over the years suggests that South Africa is producing fewer and fewer"titans", "pioneers", "icons", "leaders" or "artists" who command international respect.

In 2010, District 9 director Neill Blomkamp, made the list. His work was described as "game-changing" by legendary filmmaker Ridley Scott.

Nelson Mandela's wife, Graça Machel, who also featured on the list, was saluted as "a potent voice for justice, one that is always listened to".

The year before, former public enterprises minister Barbara Hogan made the list. She was praised for her courage, conviction and compassion. She was axed from her post in 2010.

Artist William Kentridge also got the nod on the 2009 list.

In the preceding years, the Time list has honoured former presidents Thabo Mbeki (2005) and Nelson Mandela (2004 and 2005), South African-born physician Jacques Rossouw (2006), business mogul Cyril Ramaphosa (2007), President Jacob Zuma and Oscar Pistorius (2008).

But how much value does the list hold if Nobel Peace Prize-winner and activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu has never appeared on it?

Nor have four-time golf major winner Ernie Els , playwright Athol Fugard, and musicians Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba.

Paralympic swimmer Natalie du Toit, former finance minister Trevor Manuel and Mamphela Ramphele also have been snubbed .

The 2013 list featured seven different covers to commemorate its 10th anniversary. Those who made the cover are: hip hop mogul Jay-Z, junior US Senator for Kentucky Rand Paul, Silver Linings Playbook actress Jennifer Lawrence, Indian filmmaker and actor Aamir Khan, Pakistani pupil Malala Yousafzai, Musk and Chinese tennis star Li Na.