Atandwa Kani is a highly acclaimed South African film and theatre actor, renowned for his captivating performances on both local and international stages. As the son of celebrated actor and Tony Award winner John Kani, Atandwa has inherited his father's talent and dedication to the craft.
Atandwa's international stage debut was a notable one, as he played the role of Ariel in The Tempest at the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company, sharing the stage with his father, John Kani, as Caliban, and Sir Anthony Sher as Prospero.
In 2009, Atandwa made his international television debut in the CW TV Network show Life is Wild, an American adaptation of the popular ITV drama Wild at Heart, which aired in the UK from 2006 to 2012.
One of his most notable roles was as the young Nelson Mandela in the film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, directed by Justin Chadwick, alongside Idris Elba, Naomi Harris, and Terry Pheto.
In South Africa, Atandwa has starred in the SABC 1 drama Kowethu and featured in the international BET series The Book of Negroes, alongside Cuba Gooding Jr. and Aunjanue Ellis.
Atandwa has also performed in the critically acclaimed production Sizwe Banzi is Dead, directed by his father, John Kani, and has toured South Africa with the show from 2015 to 2016.
In 2016, he starred in the film adaptation of Can Temba's book The Suit, which won a SAFTA in 2017 for Best Short Film. The film was screened at the 19th Zanzibar International Film Festival and the Urban World Film Festival in New York.
Recently, Atandwa has been seen on Mzansi Magic's hit TV series It's Complicated and is set to appear in Marvel's comic book film Black Panther, alongside his father, playing the young King T'Challa.
Atandwa resides in New York with his wife, Fikile M Kani.
