The newly-revamped Market Theatre’s main theatre was officially renamed in honour of the godfather of South African theatre, John Kani.
The renaming recognised Kani’s passion, commitment and longstanding relationship with the theatre, of which he is patron and special ambassador of the Market Theatre Foundation.
The multi award-winning actor, director and playwright also served as the theatre’s managing trustee in the early 2000s.
“Kani is part of the fabric of the Market Theatre,” said foundation CEO Annabell Lebethe.
“The council saw fit to honour this doyen of South African theatre at the institution that he has played such a crucial role in.”
Kani was born in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth, in 1943, and began his career with the Serpent Players Drama Group.
He performed in many plays over his 40-year theatrical career, including Sizwe Banzi is Dead, and The Island, which he co-wrote with Athol Fugard and Winston Ntshona and for which he won the 1974/75 Tony Award for best actor.
Kani also appeared in The Blood Knot, Driving Miss Daisy, The Native Who Caused All the Trouble, Othello, The Lion and the Lamb, Waiting for Godot, The Death of Bessie Smith, Playland, Duet for One, My Children My Africa, Hedda Gabler, Dance of Death, and Ladies and Gentlemen, Shakespeare!
He received two Off-Broadway Theatre Awards in New York for his contribution to theatre in the world.
Kani directed Matsamela Manaka’s Goree and Blues Africa Cafe, Kessie Govender’s Kagoos, and Jeff Stetson’s The Meeting at the Market Theatre.
“In 1989, together with the late Barney Simon, co-founder of the Market Theatre, Kani established the Market Theatre Laboratory, which runs a drama school and a community theatre development programme for previously disadvantaged youth,” said theatre spokesperson Lusanda Zokufa.
“The Laboratory is now a crucible of new talent and new South African works.”
Catch Kani as Robert Khalipa in Missing, alongside Susan Danford, Apollo Ntshoko and Buhle Ngaba at the Market Theatre’s John Kani Theatre until 13 July.
Details: 011 832 1641; www.markettheatre.co.za
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