John Kani joins Oscars 2025 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Bulelwa Hoala

Celebrated South African actor Dr John Kani has announced that he has been elected as a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organisation behind the Oscars.
In a post shared on X on Tuesday evening, Kani, who refers to himself as “Elder”, said he was honoured by the recognition.
“I have the honour and pleasure to announce that I have been elected to serve as a Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences – Oscars. I promise to serve this institution with honesty and integrity. Elder,” Kani wrote.
I have the honour and pleasure to announce that I have been elected to serve as a Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences- Oscars. I promise to serve this institution with honesty and integrity. Elder ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ pic.twitter.com/YWUmk2WuvB
— JOHN KANI OIS OBE (@KANI_ELDER) August 26, 2025
According to a press statement released by the Academy on Thursday, 26 June 2025, Kani was one of 534 artists and executives invited to join the organisation this year.
“We are thrilled to invite this esteemed class of artists, technologists, and professionals to join the Academy. Through their commitment to filmmaking and to the greater movie industry, these exceptionally talented individuals have made indelible contributions to our global filmmaking community,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang.
By invitation only
According to the Oscars website, membership to the Academy is considered to be one of the highest professional honours in the film industry and is by invitation only. Invitations are extended to individuals with significant achievements in film.
Academy members vote on nominations within their branch and on winners across most categories. They also receive perks, including attending screenings during awards season and enjoy access to Academy events, the Academy Museum, and have access to a global network of A-list film professionals.
Kani joins a growing list of South Africans who the Academy has invited, including the late casting director Moonyeenn Lee, who became the first South African woman to join in 2016.
Durban-born film producer Anant Singh, who produced South Africa’s first Oscar-nominated film Yesterday, is also a member of the Academy.
Kani is a multi-award-winning actor and writer, famed for his contributions to South African theatre and film. He has received national honours, including the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver.
Internationally, he is best known for his role as King T’Chaka the father of T’Challa (played by Chadwick Boseman), in the Hollywood blockbusters Black Panther and Captain America: Civil War. He also voiced Rafiki in Disney’s The Lion King in 2019.
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