Keynote Speaker: John Kani

[ read or listen to John Kani's keynote speech ]

John Kani (Nothing But the Truth) is an actor, director, and playwright internationally recognized for his work in theatre and films. He is best known to American audiences for his 1975 Tony Award-winning performances in The Island and Sizwe Banzi Is Dead, which he co-wrote with Athol Fugard and Winston Ntshona. He reprised his role in the recent world tour of The Island, including the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Toronto (Theatre Award for Best Production). He received a special Obie Award last summer for his extraordinary contribution to theatre. Recently he appeared as Creon in Antigone at the Baxter Theatre in Johannesburg.

A member of the Market Theatre, his other credits include Driving Miss Daisy, Othello, Blood Knot, Waiting for Godot, Playland, Duet for One, and My Children! My Africa! (Vita Award). Film credits include The Wild Geese, The Grass Is Singing, Marigolds in August, Victims of Apartheid, An African Dream, A Dry White Season, Sarafina!, Saturday Night at the Palace (Taormina Golden Award at Milan International Festival), Kini and Adams, The Ghost and the Darkness, and The Final Solution, among others.

Mr. Kani's directing credits include Goree and Blues Africa Café by Matsamela Manaka, Kagoos by Kessie Govender, and The Meeting by Jeff Stetson for the Market Theatre. He is the recipient of numerous awards for his contribution to South African art and culture, as well as several Honorary Doctorates. Nothing But the Truth won a Fleur De Cap Award for Best Actor and Best New South African play in 2002.