Atandwa Kani | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Kani in 2018 | |
| Born | Atandwa Duduza Yiduthi Kani (1984-06-06)6 June 1984 (age 41) |
| Education | University of the Witwatersrand (BA) New York University (MFA) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Notable work | Tumelo inLife Is Wild Ariel inThe Tempest Black Panther |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Father | John Kani |
Atandwa Kani (born 6 June 1984[1]) is a South African actor. He is the son of actorJohn Kani.
Kani was born on June 6, 1984, inPort Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. His introduction to the entertainment industry began early in his life, as he observed and learned from his father, who delved into scripts for his acting roles and often took him to theater performances. These early experiences greatly influenced Kani, inspiring him to pursue a career similar to his father's. He pursued his education at theUniversity of the Witwatersrand (Wits), where he focused on theater performance and actively participated in various school productions. Graduating in 2008, he attained an Honours degree in theatrical performance. In 2019, Kani was in the process of completing aMaster of Fine Arts (MFA) in acting atNew York University Tisch School of the Arts.[2][needs update]
Kani made his international stage debut inThe Tempest, a collaboration between theBaxter Theatre Centre and theRoyal Shakespeare Company, where he playedAriel alongside his father (Caliban) andSir Antony Sher (Prospero). One reviewer described him as "the star of this production...he was a true pleasure to watch, embodying the character and interacting beautifully with the rest of the cast". Sean Hewitt of theNottingham news site,Nottingham Post, wrote "....scene-stealing Atandwa Kani, the best Ariel I've ever seen".[3]
In 2009, Kani made hisUnited States television debut in theCW Television Network programLife Is Wild, an American adaptation of the hugely popularITV family dramaWild at Heart that aired in theUnited Kingdom from 2006 until 2012. The American adaptation was commissioned for only one season, but from 2010 to 2012, Kani played the role of Thabo in series 5 and 6, plus a brief appearance in series 7, of the original BritishWild at Heart, starringStephen Tompkinson andDawn Steele.
In 2009, Kani performed in two new plays,Hayani andID Pending, which explore ideas of home and identity for young South Africans in different ways. Together with fellow actor and Wits graduate Nat Ramabulana, and directed by Warren Nebe, they premiered the productions at theGrahamstown National Arts Festival.
Kani has been featured in theTrueLove magazine in the first of itsIn Bed With... features. In 2010, he was a regular in theSABC TV seriesSoul Buddyz. In 2011, he became a regular on the SABC 2 political series,90 Plein Street in its third season, directed by Khalo Matabane. He also served asMaster of Ceremonies for the 46664 "Legacy" Bangle, alongsideTokyo Sexwale and Hlubi Mboya.
He then went on to play the youngNelson Mandela in the movieMandela: Long Walk to Freedom, directed byJustin Chadwick, acting alongsideIdris Elba,Naomie Harris andTerry Pheto.
Kani went on to appear as the lead onKowethu, a SABC 1 drama directed by Rolie Nikiwe. After which he was seen in the internationalBET seriesThe Book of Negroes alongsideCuba Gooding Jr.
In 2014, Kani joined the acclaimed group Fortune Cookie Theatre Company and, alongsideSylvaine Strike, went on to performBlack & Blue at theMarket Theatre. He also performedSizwe Banzi Is Dead inNew York City, directed by Dr. John Kani. They are currently preparing for a South African tour of this production.
Kani has recently been seen in the hitMzansi Magic TV series,It's Complicated.
On Tuesday, 12 July 2016, Kani attended the African premiere ofThe Suit, a short film in which he plays the role of Philemon, at theOld Fort of Zanzibar as part of the 19thZanzibar International Film Festival. The film was written and directed by South African filmmakerJarryd Coetsee and based on the short story byCan Themba. Though the film was not a part of the official competition, it was given a Special Mention by the jury.
In 2018, Kani portrayed the younger KingT'Chaka, a dual part shared with his father,John Kani, in the filmBlack Panther.
He was married to presenterThembisa Mdoda from 2012 – 2015[4] and marriedFikile Mthwalo in 2015. Fikile and Atandwa separated in 2019 and divorced amicably in 2023 based on irreconcilable differences.[5]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom | Nelson Mandela (Aged 16–23) | |
| 2016 | The Suit | Philemon | Short film |
| 2017 | Love by Chance | Chance | Comedy |
| 2018 | Black Panther | YoungKing T'Chaka / Black Panther | |
| 2020 | Choices | Kenneth | Drama |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–08 | Life Is Wild | Tumelo | 7 episodes |
| 2010–12 | Wild at Heart | Thabo | 17 episodes |
| 2011 | Leonardo | Giovanni Salvatore | Episode: "Servant of Florence" |
| 2014 | Kowethu | Sibu | |
| 2014 | Generations | Samora Lembede | |
| 2015 | The Book of Negroes | New York jail guard | Miniseries; Episode 4 |
| 2016 | Ashes to Ashes | Buzwe | Telenovela |
| 2023 | What If...? | YoungKing T'Chaka / Black Panther | Episode: "What If... Peter Quill Attacked Earth's Mightiest Heroes?" |
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| People | |
