World On Press
Ian Jindela
South African actor, director and playwright Dr. John Kani receives lifetime achievement award at this year’s SAFTAS (South African film and Television Awards) hosted by NFVF. The Glittering award ceremony that took place at the State Theatre in Pretoria honours talent and celebrate creativity and quality of South African Film and Television talent within the industry.
The icon was honoured to have received a lifetime achievement award for his endless work and contribution in the film industry at this year’s fourth SAFTAS.
Bonisile John Kani was born in 1943 at New Brighton Township, Port Elizabeth. In the early 70’s he wrote Sizwe Banzi is Dead and The Island with Athol Furgard and Winston Ntshona which won a Tony Award in 1975 at New York Edison Theatre and played for 52 nights. His contribution to theatre in the USA saw him winning another special Obie Award on the play called Nothing but the Truth in 2002 as a sole author, a play about post apartheid regime in South Africa. The play focuses on the blacks who fought and remain in South Africa during apartheid and blacks who only return from exile during post apartheid. It was first staged in Johannesburg. In the Month of February 2010 alone Kani received six awards including Avanti Hall of Fame Award, M-Net Plum Award and Clio Award in New York. His television appearances includes the White Lion currently showing at cinemas in South Africa, Sarafina, Soweto Green, He has just finished lead role on a stage play Lion and the Lamb. With his narrative attributes the great Kani brings the audience to another level.
Hosted by award-winning comedian, John Vlismas, one of South Africa’s most creative international comics, the show featured performances by MXO, Just Ginger and electrifying Jamali. 7de Laan won the best overall soapie by public vote whilst Superhero by Hanneke Schutte won three awards including the best short film and is currently screening in London and Ireland. White Lion also won two awards and is currently showing at Ster kinekor cinemas in South Africa.
