This book for beginning readers tells the story of five South Africans who, though not very famous, all did things that no black South African had ever done before. They include: Simon Mkhize who, year after year, ran the Comrades Marathon unofficially, ignoring its racial bans; Magema M. Fuze, who was the first black South African to publish a book in Zulu; Sibusisiwe Violet Makhanya, who was the first black woman to become a qualified social worker; K.E. Masinga, who became the first black radio announcer; and Nhlumba Bertha Mkhize, who was one of the first people to champion women's rights in South Africa, as well as one of the first black women in Natal, South Africa, to have her own business. (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse for ESL Literacy Education) (SM)