In a world of extraordinary achievements, Africans have made their marks by holding the Guinness World Records for truly unbelievable feats. From incredible physical accomplishments to exceptional talents, Africans have proven that they are capable of achieving the seemingly impossible.
Here are 15 individuals who have etched their names into the prestigious world records thanks to their undeniable talent, resilience and determination. However, for others it was an accidental achievement driven by sheer chance or circumstance.
1. The Survivor of Most Bee Stings – Johannes Relleke
From research, an average human can survive at least 10 stings per pound of the body which means that 500 stings can kill a child and at least 1200 stings can claim the life of an adult. Well, this research may just need some revision as Zimbabwean Johannes Relleke survived 2443 stings on January 28, 1962, giving him a spot on the Guinness World Record.
It’s on record that Johannes was attacked by bees while at a tin mine in Gwalli River. During his treatment, a total of 2443 bee stings were counted.
2. Longest Cooking Marathon- Hilda Baci
What is the longest you have spent in the kitchen? probably 5- 12 hours? or at most 24 hours? Well, the Nigerian Chef Hilda Effiong Bassey Popularly known as Hilda Baci has a spot on the Guinness World Record for cooking over 100 pots of food for 93 hours 11 minutes nonstop during her four-day kitchen stint at the Amore Gardens in Lagos, Nigeria in 2023.
The previous record was held by the Indian chef Lata Tondon who cooked for 87 hours 45 minutes in 2019.
3. The Oldest Man to Swim Across the English Channel – Otto Thaning
In many quarters, the South African cardiologist Otto Thaning is recognized as the first surgeon to perform a successful human-to-human heart transplant. Nonetheless, he also holds a Guinness World record as the oldest man to swim across the English Channel.
The 73-year-old at that time took off from Shakespeare Beach in Dover, England to Wissant Bay in Calais, France within a recorded time of 12 hours and 52 minutes which earned him the spot on the Guinness world record. He once revealed that his passion for swimming has lived with him for many years and it has brought him to the light of his profession.
Water Open Swimming Association listed Dr. Niels Otto Thaning as one of the 50 Most Adventurous Open Water Men in 2005.
4. The Man Who Fathered the Most Children – Moulay Ismail ibn Sharif
Most African families are known for their extensively large families however, none has been able to match up to the family of Moulay Ismail ibn Sharif, the last Sharifian Emperor of Morocco, who had a total of 888 children between 1672 and 1727.
His large family earned him a space on the Guinness world record as the man who fathered more children in history than anyone.
The closest any African has recorded is a total of 210 children which were fathered by King Sobhuza II of Swaziland thanks to his marriage to 70 wives.
5. Longest Freestyle Rap – Chidera Anemege
When it comes to freestyle rapping, then it’s a totally different game. While group rappers may sustain the flow for hours, it may be unlikely for individual freestyle rappers to go on for hours.
Well, this may not be entirely true as Nigerian Hip-hop rapper Chidera Anemege based in the US got his name in the Guinness World Record in 2011 after rapping for 9 hours nonstop at the Music Awards which was held in Las Vegas in the United States of America.
6. Making the Most Cups of Tea in an Hour – Ingar Valentyn
It should take at least 2 minutes to make a cup of tea and at least 2 hours to make 100 cups of tea. Albeit, the South African woman known as Ingar Valentyn made 249 cups of red herbal tea also known as rooibos tea within 1 hour.
Her speed and logic earned her a spot on the Guinness World Record for making the most cups of tea in an hour.
7. Largest Coffee Grounds Mosaic – BrainFarm (PTY) Ltd and Percy Maimela
South African artists BrainFarm (PTY) Ltd and Percy Maimela got their names written on the Guinness World Records in September 2019 for their creativity and passion. The duo successfully completed a 5 x 5-meter canvas of a South African DJ Black Coffee using coffee for its coverage.
8. Most Children Delivered at a Single Birth to Survive – Halima Cisse
Multiple children have been delivered to couples a number of times however, not so many of them survive after a few hours and the cause of this has been linked to different reasons. Nonetheless, the Mali mother and wife Halima Cisse broke the Guinness world record after delivering nonuplets who all survived.
The children were born on the 4th of May 2022 and are reportedly all healthy as revealed by their father Abdelkader.
This record was previously held by Nadya Suleman also known as the Octomom who successfully delivered eight kids in 2009.
Read Also: African Musicians: 20 Best Musicians Redefining The Continent
9. Greatest Display of Origami Butterflies – Juanne-Pierre
With a total of 29416 Origami butterflies, Juanne-Pierre made a colorful display of finely crafted butterflies and earned a space on Guinness records.
The South African made this display on December 5, 2019. We garnered that he used 8 hours to fold the origami paper alongside a team of 5.
10. Athletic Record of Tuedon Morgan
The Nigerian-American marathon runner Tuedon Morgan holds two Guinness world records thanks to her active participation in sports. She holds the record for the fastest time for a woman to run a half marathon on each continent which lasted for 10 days, 23 hours, and 37 minutes, and also the fastest time for a woman to run a half marathon on each continent and the North Pole which lasted for 62 days, 12 hours, 58 minutes and 49 seconds.
11. The Oldest Person to Begin Primary School – Kimani Nga’ang’a Maruge
It is generally considered that children between the ages of 10-15 should have completed primary school and proceeded to higher grades. However, this age rule became non-existent for Kimani Nga’ang’a Maruge who started primary school at the age of 84.
Call it passion, call it chance, call it determination. The Kenyan man became a student of Kapkenduiywo primary school on January 12, 2004, and the following year, he was made the school’s head boy. Big thanks to the free education policy established by the Kenyan Government in 2003.
In September 2005, Kimani spoke on the importance of free primary school and secondary school education at the United Nations World’s Summit in New York and revealed that his actions were prompted by the Kenyan government’s free education policy.
12. Longest Dance Party – Kafayat Oluwatoyin
Nigerian dancer and choreographer Kafayat Oluwatoyin popularly known as Kaffy set another world record in 2006 after dancing for 52 hours and 3 minutes non-stop at the Nokia Silva Bird Danceathon. To be more precise she holds the Guinness World record for the longest dance party.
13. Longest Dance Marathon – Odumewu Deborah Sunmishola
Not to be confused with the longest dance party, Odumewu Deborah Sunmishola wildly known as Pinky Debbie holds the Guinness World Record for the longest dance marathon after dancing for 150 hours; a record previously held by an Indian woman who danced for 123 hours 15 minutes.
14. Highest Number of Bridesmaids
In Africa, weddings are almost incomplete without the bridesmaids or bridal train usually comprised of at least 7 to 15 beautiful friends of the bride. Well, the Nigerian bride Sandra Ikeji sister of Linda Ikeja gained a spot on the Guinness world record after gracing her wedding with over 200 bridesmaids.
15. The Farthest Distance Walk – Harrison Chinedu
Many people have broken records for walking several kilometers however not so many do that with a ball on their head. So yes, the Nigerian football player Harrison Chinedu entered the Guinness world record after walking a total distance of 48.4 km within the space of 6 hours and 15 minutes, and yes with a ball on his head in 2016.
