You're reading it here first.
Wow! If you haven't seen it, I can tell you first about the absolutely stunning rant and rave of John Kani at the 4th South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas). The veteran writer and actor who received a Lifetime Achievement Award lashed out at the local film and TV industry.
Upon receiving his Safta award, John Kani had a scathing rebuke for the local film industry in a strongly worded speech. In a dramatic plea with his wife by his side, the industry veteran wanted to know why local actors are seemingly just not good enough. He wanted to know why South African actors are not good enough to play Nelson Mandela and why they're not good enough to play Winnie.
''How can an industry that says that it wants to acknowledges excellence in us . . . how then does the same industry - the same directors and producers - then look across the world? I want to say to the directors and the producers of this industry, it's time you see us!''
A second of shocked silence followed - and then there was a standing ovation for John Kani by the State Theatre audience in Pretoria - mostly made up of industry types and actors.
