Kani: Joining Oscars voting body an honour and a privilege

CAPE TOWN - Legendary South African actor, author, director and playwright, John Kani, has been added to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voting body.
 
Born in Gqeberha, 82-year-old Kani is best known for playing T'Chaka in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Captain America: Civil War and Black Panther and Rafiki in The Lion King, among a number of other roles.
 
Kani said that joining the Oscars voting body was an honour and a privilege.
 
"It's an absolutely incredible honour. I don't know what's going on... a couple of weeks ago, I was told by the president I'm one of the eminent persons in the republic that he wants to advise him for the National Dialogues. Say no more about that. Then, of course, this event, which, for me, is incredible."
 
Kani described his reaction to the news.

"You know, you say thank you like you're very controlled in your emotion but when you put the phone down, you're like 'Yes!'"