WATCH: Apartheid Museum renames gallery to honour Dr John Kani
A new exhibition tracing six decades of stage and screen history opens at the Apartheid Museum as the institution pays tribute to its board chairman.
Legendary South African actor and playwright Dr John Kani was honoured for six decades of performance, playwriting and social justice at the Apartheid Museum on August 29, on the eve of his 83rd birthday.
@southern.courier A new exhibition tracing six decades of stage and screen history opens at the Apartheid Museum as the institution pays tribute to its board chairman. Full story on southerncourier.co.za
Fellow theatre giants, including Motshabi Tyelele, Jerry Mofokeng and Aubrey Sekhabi, joined the celebration and reflected on Kani’s remarkable career from their own perspectives.
They unanimously described Kani as an exceptional storyteller whose work has preserved history, challenged injustice and inspired generations of performers.
@southern.courier South African actress, playwright and voice coach, Motshabi Tyelele described Kani as an exceptional storyteller whose work has preserved history, challenged injustice and inspired generations of performers. Full story on southerncourier.co.za
Few artists have done more to shape South African theatre over the past six decades than Kani. The Apartheid Museum’s latest exhibition, John Kani: A Living Legend, revisits a career that has unfolded alongside South Africa’s own transformation.
For more than 25 years, Kani has also helped guide the direction of the Apartheid Museum, serving as chairman of its board of trustees. His work with the institution has closely aligned with the themes explored in his plays.
@southern.courier Legendary South African actor and playwright Dr John Kani was honoured for six decades of performance, playwriting and social justice at the Apartheid Museum on August 29, on the eve of his 83rd birthday. Full story on southerncourier.co.za
As a playwright, Kani has used his art to ask important questions about the shortcomings of democracy and reconciliation in a society that remains unequal.
Tribute to stage and screen career
The exhibition, which runs from August 30 to November 30, celebrates Kani’s contribution to the institution and revisits key moments from a stage and screen career that has taken him from Port Elizabeth rehearsal rooms to Hollywood studios.
Drawing on photographs, text, artefacts and film, the exhibition explores the ideas that have shaped Kani’s work on and off stage, as well as his vision as a mentor and creative leader.
Apartheid Museum board member Advocate Kgomotso Moroka thanked Kani for his contribution to South African theatre and cultural life, as well as his continued work towards building a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa.
US Consul General Stephanie Bunce recalled Kani’s Broadway debut in 1975 with Sizwe Banzi Is Dead, which he co-created and performed with the late Winston Ntshona, noting that his acceptance speech following a standing ovation 50 years ago was simply “Thank you very much”.
“In that moment you chose to let your work speak for itself,” Bunce said. “The US has been so lucky to have you across the country.”
Sekhabi described Kani as an artist who carries great stories onto the stage.
“He brings history with him, the voice of those who came before him and those with him. He brings their miseries, poverty, pain, frustration and triumphs, he brings all that on stage,” he said.
@southern.courier Artistic director of the South African State Theatre, award-winning playwright and director Aubrey Sekhabi described Kani as an artist who carries great stories onto the stage. Full story on southerncourier.co.za
“He told stories during apartheid when it was difficult and dangerous to do so, and he continued to tell stories during this time of democracy. He is an extraordinary man. Today we celebrate not only an actor and playwright but an icon and the master of the craft.”
Tony Award memories shared
Mofokeng recalled being introduced to Kani in the early 1970s when his teacher took them to Uncle Tom’s Hall to watch Sizwe Banzi Is Dead.
“I didn’t know the play would become a classic and go on to win a Tony Award,” he said.
He later encountered the play again in 1983 at Wits University, where he performed it in a proper theatre setting.
“At the end of the year my lecturer said, ‘Jeremiah, you need to memorise the dialogue for Sizwe Banzi Is Dead during the holidays,’” Mofokeng recalled. “It was the first time I received a review in a newspaper at the age of 28 – ‘Jeremiah Mofokeng is the name to remember. There’s a lot to be expected out of this actor in the future’.”
Tyelele, who described herself as one of Kani’s ‘children’, spoke warmly about the fatherly role he has played in her life.
She recalled an occasion in London when she lost her voice shortly before a performance, saying the way Kani handled the situation demonstrated his warmth, guidance and fatherly nature.
Kani thanked the attendees, including his family, for joining him in celebrating the milestone.
In a further tribute to his contribution, the Apartheid Museum’s gallery was officially renamed the John Kani Gallery.
Curator Emilia Potenza also presented Kani with a leather-bound catalogue of the exhibition, which he will be able to share with his family.
John Kani: A Living Legend is on display at the Apartheid Museum until November 30.
