•
Jan Bantjes, a prominent
Voortrekker who likely authored the treaty between the Voortrekkers and the
Zulu Kingdom was born in Beaufort West in 1817. •
Sir John Fraser, was born in Beaufort West in the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope in 1840. He later studied medicine at Kings College, Aberdeen. In 1871, he was appointed Private Secretary to
Jan Brand, President of the Orange Free State. In 1878 he qualified as an Advocate of the Free State Bar and, after serving as Financial Commissioner of the Free State during the Second Boer War, accepted the Honour of the Knighthood from the British Crown for his reconciliatory role after the conflict. •
Christiaan Barnard, the pioneering heart surgeon, born and bred in Beaufort West. His father, Adam Barnard, was a minister in the Dutch Reformed Mission Church. One of his four brothers, Abraham, died of a heart problem at the age of five. Barnard matriculated from the
Beaufort West High School in 1940, and went to study medicine at the
University of Cape Town Medical School, where he obtained his MB ChB in 1945. He is commemorated in the local museum. •
Cornelis Johannes Bodenstein, former
Vice State President of the South African Republic was born in Beaufort West in 1826. •
Cyril Karabus, former Professor of Paediatrics, University of Cape Town (also FRCP, FRCPE) and head of the Oncology and Haemotology Unit of Red Cross Children's Hospital Cape Town •
Sir John Molteno, the first
Prime Minister of the Cape. In his youth, this Anglo-Italian immigrant was a farmer and businessman who opened Beaufort West's first bank. •
Elizabeth Maria Molteno, civil and women's rights activist (and the daughter of John Molteno), was born in Beaufort West. •
Cromwell Everson, the classical music composer and composer of the first
Afrikaans opera, was born and grew up in Beaufort West. Gained the basis of his music skills under the piano tutelage of Beckie Karabus (whose husband, Isaac Karabus, was one of the first five Ford agents in South Africa), mother of the jurist, Alan Karabus and doctor, Cyril Karabus •
Mandlenkosi, who fought against the apartheid government and was shot whilst feeding his baby boy (Sira). Mandlenkosi Senior Secondary School is named after him. His name is also present in the township area of Kwa-Mandlenkosi. •
Gert Vlok Nel, the pioneering poet, was born 1963 and grew up in Beaufort-West. •
Antoinette Pienaar (born 1961), is a South African actress, singer, and author. •
Karl Kielblock (1907-1991), author ==Coat of arms==