Winston Ntshona facts for kids

Winston Ntshona (born 6 October 1941 – died 2 August 2018) was a famous South African actor and playwright. He was known for his powerful performances. He also wrote plays that spoke out against Apartheid, a system of racial segregation in South Africa. In 1975, he won a special award called a Tony Award for his acting.

Early Life and His Start in Theatre

Winston Ntshona was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He went to Newell High School, where he met his good friend and fellow actor, John Kani. For many years, Winston worked as a laboratory assistant in a timber factory.

In 1967, he joined a drama group called the Serpent Players. This group included John Kani and another famous South African playwright, Athol Fugard. The black members of the group had regular day jobs. They would practice their plays and learn acting skills in the evenings or on weekends. As their plays became more popular, Winston Ntshona left his factory job. He then worked full-time for The Serpent Players.

Fighting Apartheid Through Theatre

Winston Ntshona, along with Athol Fugard and John Kani, created important plays. One of their most famous plays was Sizwe Banzi Is Dead, which first opened in 1972. This play strongly criticised the Apartheid government's pass laws. These laws forced black South Africans to carry special passes. The passes controlled where they could live and work.

Sizwe Banzi Is Dead became very popular. It was performed in New York and then toured England. It even had a long run on Broadway in the United States. After this success, they created another well-known play called The Island.

Winning a Tony Award

Winston Ntshona and John Kani starred in many international shows for over 30 years. They both won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play in 1975. This award was for their performances in both The Island and Sizwe Banzi Is Dead. It was a very special moment, as they were among the first black actors to win such a prestigious award.

Standing Up for What's Right

In 1976, Winston Ntshona and John Kani were arrested. They were held for 15 days by the government in the Transkei region. The authorities believed their play Sizwe Banzi Is Dead was dangerous and spoke out against the government. Despite this, they continued to perform their plays. They even toured them in rural areas of South Africa. They also held acting workshops to teach others.

Winston Ntshona's Film Career

Winston Ntshona also had a successful career in movies. His first film role was in The Wild Geese (1978). He played President Julius Limbani in this film. He also appeared in The Dogs of War (1980) as Dr. Okoye.

He had a small role in the famous film Gandhi (1982). He also played a big part in the movie A Dry White Season (1989). His other film roles include Ashanti (1979), Night of the Cyclone (1991), The Power of One (1992), The Air Up There (1994), and Tarzan and the Lost City (1998).

Later Life and Legacy

In 2010, Winston Ntshona received the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver. This award recognised his huge contribution to South African arts and culture.

Winston Ntshona passed away on 2 August 2018, at the age of 76. He had been ill for some time. He is remembered as a brave and talented artist who used his work to fight for justice and equality in South Africa.

Filmography