Bonsile John Kani, born November 30, 1942 in New Brighton, is a South African actor, playwright, author and director. He is well known for writing “Nothing but the truth.” And also, for portraying significant characters on Hollywood movies such as Captain America and the Black Panther. Apart from usual biographic facts here are some unusual facts about John Kani.
- He is a Hollywood celebrity:
- Has only one child:
- He lost one eye:
- Received doctorate degree:
- Paid tribute to Chedwick Boseman:
He is a Hollywood celebrity:
John Kani is well known for writing plays and also for acting in most of them but worldwide he is known for his Hollywood roles. He acted in Marvel Studios Block buster, Captain America: Civil war (2016) as T’Chaka and also on Black Panther (2018). The Black Panther actor also voiced Rafiki in The Lion King (the live action remake of the Disney animated film).
He has only one child who co-acted with him:
John Kani has got only one child, his son Atandwa Kani who is also a Hollywood actor. His son Atandwa co-acted with him in Black Panther as his younger version of Kani’s role, King T’Chaka.
John Kani lost his eye:
He lost his eye during apartheid from apartheid regime. While he was away after shooting Sizwe Banzi is dead, he received a call to come and see his father. When he arrived, he was received by the police who surrounded him and beat him until he lost his left eye. Now he wears prosthesis. Of which Kani said that, “The pain was worth it, losing my eye was worth it, surviving death was worth it, even losing my brother and my uncle to that struggle was worth it because I am standing here today as a member of the free societies of the world. I may be poor, and poorer than before, but I have been given something that cannot be taken away from me. My dignity.”
Received a doctorate degree:
On the 13th of December 2019, John Kani received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy conferred by Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers of Stellenbosch University. Kani was honoured with PHD by the SU for the recognition and admiration for his unwavering and passionate commitment to the performing arts as actor, director and playwright. For his dedication to ensure access to the performing arts for young people from marginalised communities. And for using the arts to educate, to create community and as a tool of expression for the oppressed; and in recognition of his commitment to excellence in his 50-year international career in the performing arts.
Paid tribute Chedwick Boseman
John Kani also paid tribute to the late Black Panther hero Chedwick Boseman who died from colon cancer. Kani said the death of Chewick Bosema was unbelievable. He recalls being impressed by Chedwick when he first met him at the shooting of Captain America: Civil War.
“I was really impressed with him. And immediately he went to introduce me to the rest of the crew, and that was the beginning of a father-son relationship.” He said on Capetalk.
