Atandwa Kani facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Atandwa Kani
Kani in 2018
Born	Atandwa Duduza Yiduthi Kani (1984-06-06) 6 June 1984 (age 41) Gqeberha, South Africa
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(s)	Thembisa Mdoda ​ ​ (m. 2012; div. 2015)​ Fikile Mthwalo ​ ​ (m. 2015; div. 2023)​
Parent(s)	John Kani (father)

Atandwa Kani (born on June 6, 1984) is a talented actor from South Africa. He is well-known for his roles in movies and TV shows, including playing a young King T'Chaka in the superhero film Black Panther. Atandwa is also the son of famous actor John Kani.

Early Life and Education

Atandwa Kani was born on June 6, 1984, in Gqeberha, which is in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. He grew up watching his father, John Kani, work on scripts and perform in plays. These early experiences made Atandwa want to become an actor too.

He studied at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa. There, he focused on theater performance and acted in many school plays. He earned an Honours degree in theatrical performance in 2008. Later, in 2019, Atandwa completed his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in acting at New York University Tisch School of the Arts.

Acting Career Highlights

Atandwa Kani has had an exciting career on both stage and screen. He has performed in plays around the world and appeared in popular TV shows and movies.

Stage Performances

Atandwa made his first international stage appearance in a play called The Tempest. This play was a team effort between the Baxter Theatre Centre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. In The Tempest, Atandwa played the character of Ariel. His father, John Kani, played Caliban, and Sir Antony Sher played Prospero.

Critics praised Atandwa's performance, with one calling him "the star of this production." Another reviewer said he was "the best Ariel I've ever seen." In 2009, Atandwa also performed in two new plays, Hayani and ID Pending. These plays explored what "home" and "identity" mean for young South Africans.

In 2014, Atandwa joined the Fortune Cookie Theatre Company. He performed in Black & Blue at the Market Theatre. He also acted in Sizwe Banzi Is Dead in New York City, directed by his father.

Television Roles

In 2009, Atandwa made his first TV appearance in the United States on the CW Television Network show Life Is Wild. This show was an American version of a popular British family drama called Wild at Heart.

From 2010 to 2012, Atandwa played the character Thabo in the original British Wild at Heart series. He also appeared in the SABC TV series Soul Buddyz in 2010. In 2011, he joined the political series 90 Plein Street on SABC 2. More recently, he was seen in the hit Mzansi Magic TV series, It's Complicated.

Atandwa also appeared in the international BET series The Book of Negroes alongside actor Cuba Gooding Jr.. In 2023, he voiced a young King T'Chaka in an episode of the animated series What If...?.

Film Appearances

Atandwa Kani has played important roles in several films. In 2013, he played a young Nelson Mandela in the movie Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. He acted alongside famous stars like Idris Elba and Naomie Harris in this film.

In 2016, Atandwa starred in a short film called The Suit. He played the role of Philemon in this film, which was based on a short story by Can Themba. The film received a special mention at the Zanzibar International Film Festival.

One of his most famous roles came in 2018 when he played a younger King T'Chaka in the superhero movie Black Panther. He shared this role with his father, John Kani, who played the older King T'Chaka.

Personal Life

Atandwa Kani was married to presenter Thembisa Mdoda from 2012 to 2015. He then married Fikile Mthwalo in 2015. Atandwa and Fikile separated in 2019 and officially divorced in 2023.

Filmography

Movies

Television Shows