Kani silenced as son plays Madiba
SA CAST IMPRESSES ACTOR
HIS son Atandwa’s role as a young Nelson Mandela in the upcoming biopic about the former president has silenced John Kani. The veteran theatre actor has been vocal in his criticism of movie producers not casting South Africans to play the role of the country ’ s icon. “I can no longer say that now, because my son plays Madiba,” he said as he walked the red carpet with his wife Mandi and son at the local premiere of
in Rosebank, Johannesburg, yesterday.
“The crux is always about who invests the money because then you have to dance to their tune.”
He said South Africans should raise funds themselves to make films such as this one.
Kani said it made him proud that the film has a huge South African supporting cast but he will not stop agitating for the cause of the South African actors.
“We will not stop asking if there is a movie about Chris Hani, can we play Hani, can we play Tambo if there ’ s a movie about him.
“For this one we have to understand that international investors will always go with a sellable name. But because Idris Elba is an African, it shuts me up further!”
Elba, who plays Mandela, was born to a Sierra Leonian father and Ghanaian mother.
The actor, who was not in the country to attend the promotional press conference held on Saturday due to a severe asthma attack, was at the premiere.
Also in attendance were many politicians, including Planning Minister Trevor Manuel, Minis- ter of Justice and Constitutional Development Jeff Radebe, Speaker of Parliament Max Sisulu and Struggle stalwart Ahmed Kathrada, who is portrayed in the movie by comedian Riaad Moosa.
Madiba ’ s wife Graça Machel, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and some of Mandela ’ s grandchildren attended.
opens locally on November 28.