Atandwa Kani
Atandwa Kani | |
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.jpg) Kani in 2018 | |
| Born | Atandwa Duduza Yiduthi Kani 6 June 1984 |
| Education | University of the Witwatersrand (BA) New York University (MFA) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Notable work | Tumelo in Life Is Wild Ariel in The Tempest Black Panther |
| Spouse | |
| Parent |
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Atandwa Kani (born 6 June 1984[1]) is a South African actor. He is the son of actor John Kani.
Early life
Kani was born on 6 June 1984 in
Career
Kani made his international stage debut in
In 2009, Kani made his
In 2009, Kani performed in two new plays, Hayani and ID 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 the
Kani has been featured in the TrueLove magazine in the first of its In Bed With... features. In 2010, he was a regular in the
He then went on to play the young Nelson Mandela in the movie Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, directed by Justin Chadwick, acting alongside Idris Elba, Naomie Harris and Terry Pheto.
Kani went on to appear as the lead on Kowethu, a SABC 1 drama directed by Rolie Nikiwe. After which he was seen in the international BET series The Book of Negroes alongside Cuba Gooding Jr.
In 2014, Kani joined the acclaimed group Fortune Cookie Theatre Company and, alongside Sylvaine Strike, went on to perform Black & Blue at the Market Theatre. He also performed Sizwe Banzi Is Dead in New 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 hit Mzansi Magic TV series, It's Complicated.
On Tuesday, 12 July 2016, Kani attended the African premiere of The Suit, a short film in which he plays the role of Philemon, at the Old Fort of Zanzibar as part of the 19th Zanzibar International Film Festival. The film was written and directed by South African filmmaker Jarryd Coetsee and based on the short story by Can 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 King T'Chaka, a dual part shared with his father, John Kani, in the film Black Panther.
Personal life
He was married to presenter Thembisa Mdoda from 2012 – 2015[4] and is married to Fikile Mthwalo as of 2015. Fikile and Atandwa separated in 2019 and divorced amicably in 2023 based on irreconcilable differences. [5]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom | Nelson Mandela (Aged 16–23) |
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| 2016 | The Suit | Philemon | Short film |
| 2018 | Black Panther | Young King T'Chaka / Black Panther
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Television
| 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...? | Young King T'Chaka / Black Panther
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Episode: " What If... Peter Quill Attacked Earth's Mightiest Heroes? "
|
References
- ^ Parmenas Kisengese (16 September 2019). "Atandwa Kani biography: his life, wife, father, age, and movies". briefly.co.za.
- ^ "Cabaret Class of 2020". tisch.nyu.edu. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
- ^ Hewitt, Sean (April 14, 2009). "Review: The Tempest, Theatre Royal". Nottingham Post. Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
- ^ "Atandwa Kani ex-wife Thembisa Mdoda".
- ^ "Atandwa & Fikile separated".
External links
- Atandwa Kani at IMDb
- Atandwa Kani on Twitter
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