By Zuko Komisa
Atandwa Kani has celebrated his father, John Kani – a legendary thespian on social media on his birthday.
As both a playwright and activist John Kani has been in theatre productions and internationally acclaimed motion pictures like Black Panther and The Lion King, in which he voiced Rafiki in the live-action adaptation of the beloved Disney film.
In the 1970s, John won the Tony Award for Best Actor for his outstanding performances in The Island and Sizwe Banzi is Dead. Both plays allegedly had their Mzansi premieres in 1972 and 1973.
In addition, he was nominated for a Tony Award for best play alongside the late Winston Ntshona.
In 1987, John became the first black person to play Othello. That was seven years before the end of apartheid.
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Atandwa and John played the fathers of T’Challa and the Black Panther, respectively, in Black Panther.
Taking to Instagram, Atandwa shared photos of his father stating he is the most influential artist he has ever known.
Atandwa wrote: “Happy Birthday to a living legend. The most influential artist I’ve ever known. This is what happens when the immovable object IS the unstoppable force. I love you Ntlotshane, I love you Doc. Happy Birthday Mhelushe, Mjatya, Ngantlumbe, Mtshetshelthafa, Mazomthwa, Belenye!!! Thanks to @aj_opperman_arts_journalist & @sivemqwashu_art for the pics and the incredible art..:”
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