Spirometry is an effective and widely available technique to measure lung function. Correct interpretation of spirometry is imperative when used to diagnose and manage lung pathology. The Global Lung Initiative 2012 (GLI2012) provides robust and representative reference equations for lung function in four ethnic groups; however, the GLI2012 is limited in data from African populations, and “Black” equations in GLI2012 were solely derived using data from African Americans. For populations lacking reference range equations and for individuals of mixed ethnic origin, the GLI2012 taskforce provided a composite “Other” equation (1). The Pan African Thoracic Society is reluctant to endorse the use of the GLI2012 “Other” or “Black” equations in Africa without evidence of their applicability in African populations (2). In this study, we aimed to collect spirometry data in healthy South Africans to determine if the “Black” or “Other” GLI2012 reference equations were a good fit, or whether new reference equations are required. We hypothesized that the GLI2012 “Black” reference equations will not fit black South African adults and children. Some of the results of this study have been previously reported in the form of abstracts (3–5).