"I was genuinely inspired by Mr Kani's honesty, he didn't only share his accolades but he was open about his process and the lessons he learnt in his creative journey. He emphasized on the power of learning and knowing oneself. Most importantly knowing where you're coming from and having a clear idea about where you're going." - third-year film student, Tebogo Nong
16 May was a wonderful day on the AFDA Cape Town campus as we hosted the illustrious Dr. John Kani who was known to most students here as the actor in Black Panther who played "T'Chaka", the father of "T'Challa. What the students discovered was that John Kani's career began in the early 1970's when he took Athol Fugard's plays The Island and Sizwe Banzi is Dead to perform on the London stage alongside Winston Ntshona.
"What the students also discovered is a man 75 years young, blooming with exuberance and a humongous heart. His wisdom truly flowed like precious pearls before two hundred students who were held in rapture as pearl after pearl dropped into the auditorium. We learnt of his polygamous family and the role played by his three different mothers and his father, we learnt the importance of honouring the job at hand no matter how small or big and the importance of one's promise to colleagues and the audience to always be on time!
We learnt that preparation means research, understanding and interpretation not just a few warm up exercises for one's voice before the show. We learnt that the talent and tenacity required for an acting career on stage is interchangeable with that in Cinema and TV, and how each benefits the other. We learnt that you can't call Hollywood because it is Hollywood who will find you because the search for world-wide talent is relentless and on-going.
But most of all, we learnt that however honoured, popular or famous a person becomes, the greatest attribute in life is humility and that this great man was strong and steadfast and sure of his role on earth whilst at the same time he was nurturing, wise and humble in equal measure. It was a special day. And T'Chaka will return - watch this space..." - Head of Film School, David Max Brown
"As John Kani spoke about his work in theatre, film and television two things he said captured the texture of the encounter: 'you open your soul and embrace your audience' and 'this thing is a dangerous art; it consumes you'. And so we heard, simultaneously, the Giant in the industry and the working actor masterfully telling his own story. Thank you for your inspiration John Kani and your far reaching generosity," - Head of Live Performance School, Liz Mills
