Internationally acclaimed actor and playwright John Kani has been awarded an honorary doctorate in literature from the Witwatersrand University in recognition of his contribution to the arts and social justice.
The university described Kani as “one of the pioneers of contemporary theatre in South Africa whose legacy is embedded in performance cultures, theatres and learning spaces across the globe where it is studied, performed and archived for future generations. As an artist and social activist, Kani has used his work to interrogate complex sociopolitical matters and contributed, through his art, to the liberation of South Africa. Today, his voice remains as commanding, critical and forthright about our country’s current social circumstances as it was during the darkest days of the anti-apartheid movement.”
Kani said in his acceptance speech that it was the duty of all performers to use their voices to speak up about the many challenges facing South Africa. He also said,” action is needed more than just words. Now is the time for all of us artists, who have the luxury of a public platform, to campaign openly against what is wrong in our country — just as we did against apartheid — and hopefully contribute towards building a brighter and more promising future for all who live in this wonderful land of ours.”
“If we ever achieve that, we would have finally fulfilled Madiba’s dream for the land he was so committed to.”
Kani also spoke about the scourge of gender-based violence in South Africa saying, “As a nation, we have still not come up with a radical and effective plan of action to address this dire situation. Unfortunately, until the perpetrators of this violence suffer immediate consequences for their actions, very little is going to change.”
Kani took to social media to express his heartfelt thanks at being honoured by the university writing,” What a great honour to receive a Doctorate of Literature- Honoris Causa, from the University of the Witwatersrand for my contribution to the Arts, Culture and Advancement of Literature. I am truly proud and humbled. Iyabulela ilali. Elder”
What a great honour to receive a Doctorate of Literature- Honoris Causa, from the University of the Witwatersrand for my contribution to the Arts, Culture and Advancement of Literature. I am truly proud and humbled. Iyabulela ilali. Elder???????????????????????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/WqncolgXr2
— JohnKani (@JohnKani2) July 9, 2020
When lockdown hit London in April of this year, John Kani’s new play Kunene and the King had just two weeks left of its run at the Ambassadors Theatre. Kani thought at the time that he might be stranded in London.
However, talking to Algoa FM’s Roland and Rochlé on The Drive Show a couple of weeks ago, he said that he had been fortunate to have obtained a seat onboard the last British Airways flight allowed to bring South African citizens back home from England. While grateful to be home and currently staying safely in Johannesburg, he said he wishes he was in New Brighton because “then I would really feel I am home”.
Congratulations Dr John Kani - we look forward to hosting you in the Algoa FM studio when all this is over and you are back home.
