--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When the situation politically became…" description: "\"When the situation politically became intolerable within South Africa, we used the arts as a weapon for change.\" — John Kani" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/183/john-kani-7300_art_when-the-situation-politically-became-in_1254421.jpg" --- # When the situation politically became intolerable within… ![“When the situation politically became intolerable within South Africa, we used the arts as a weapon for change.” quote by John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/183/john-kani-7300_art_when-the-situation-politically-became-in_1254421.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/183/john-kani-7300_art_when-the-situation-politically-became-in_1254421.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/183/john-kani-7300_art_when-the-situation-politically-became-in_1254421.jpg) > “When the situation politically became intolerable within South Africa, we used the arts as a weapon for change.” [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Art can be a powerful tool to challenge oppressive systems and inspire societal transformation when political avenues fail. **In simple terms:** Art can fight oppression when politics fail. Key Takeaway Use creative expression to demand change. Themes activism art political change resistance Mood defiant inspirational hopeful Type activist inspirational cultural When to use this quote - human rights campaigns - community theater - public murals - educational workshops Key Concepts cultural power social movements nonviolent protest Questions to Reflect On - How can artists balance aesthetic goals with political impact? - What risks do creators face when confronting authority? A Different Perspective Art may not reach those in power without broader support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Africa Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/africa-used-2030008/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Arts Weapon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arts-weapon-3966117/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Intolerable South](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intolerable-south-3966118/) [Politically Intolerable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politically-intolerable-3966116/) [Situation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/situation/) [South africa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/south-africa/) [Weapon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapon/) ## Related quotes > [South Africa used to seem so far away. Then it came home to me. It began to signify the meaning of white hatred here.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/june-jordan/south-africa-used-to-seem-so-far-away-then-it-came-home-to-me-it/) [June Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/june-jordan/) > [I helped found Artists for New South Africa, but it used to be called Artists for Free South Africa. Alfre Woodard and a bunch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-steenburgen/i-helped-found-artists-for-new-south-africa-but-it-used-to-be-called/) [Mary Steenburgen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-steenburgen/) > [In South Africa in 1987, apartheid was still going strong. Some of the most brutal race laws had been relaxed, but they hadn't yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/in-south-africa-in-1987-apartheid-was-still-going-strong-some-of-the/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [Other theaters exist here solely to entertain the white audience and keep South Africa on a par with what's going on in the West…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/other-theaters-exist-here-solely-to-entertain-the-white-audience-and/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [I had to look at white people as fellow South Africans and fellow partners in building a new South Africa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/i-had-to-look-at-white-people-as-fellow-south-africans-and-fellow/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [We haven't got those dreams: 'I wish to become doctor or a lawyer.' Black people in South Africa have been barred in doing anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/we-haven-t-got-those-dreams-i-wish-to-become-doctor-or-a-lawyer-black/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [In South Africa, it is different. When you are born not even your father knows what is going to happen in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/in-south-africa-it-is-different-when-you-are-born-not-even-your/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [“there was no way that weapon of mass destruction was going to work its way inside my body.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-crownover/there-was-no-way-that-weapon-of-mass-destruction-was-going-to-work/) [Jay Crownover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-crownover/) > [Swearing's my release. 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It is a political weapon to force countries to implement the policies decided by the E.U. and keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marine-le-pen/the-euro-is-not-a-currency-it-is-a-political-weapon-to-force/) [Marine Le Pen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marine-le-pen/) > [Your greatest weapon is your enemies mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddha/your-greatest-weapon-is-your-enemies-mind/) [Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddha/) > [A wall is a very big weapon. It's one of the nastiest things you can hit someone with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/a-wall-is-a-very-big-weapon-it-s-one-of-the-nastiest-things-you-can/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) ## More by John Kani > [All over the world, there is someone sitting in a cell because he or she is not allowed freedom of expression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/all-over-the-world-there-is-someone-sitting-in-a-cell-because-he-or/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [I'm Dad at home, not John Kani.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/i-m-dad-at-home-not-john-kani/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [I always say my first break was a dead man's break.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/i-always-say-my-first-break-was-a-dead-man-s-break/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [I still remember the moment when my teacher, Mr. Budaza, walked into class and said, 'Today we are going to study 'Julius Caesar,' one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/i-still-remember-the-moment-when-my-teacher-mr-budaza-walked-into/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [I have never been attracted to television work. Even to appear in series and soapies. I have always appeared in theatre and major movies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/i-have-never-been-attracted-to-television-work-even-to-appear-in/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [I spent 51 years under apartheid. I don't imagine suffering. I know it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/i-spent-51-years-under-apartheid-i-don-t-imagine-suffering-i-know-it/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [Working with my friend Sir Antony Sher is truly one of the highlights of my career as an artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/working-with-my-friend-sir-antony-sher-is-truly-one-of-the-highlights/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [In Australia, I almost became a counsellor. At the end of each performance there would be a queue of sobbing people backstage. They all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/in-australia-i-almost-became-a-counsellor-at-the-end-of-each/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [What does Macbeth want? What does Shakespeare want? What does Othello want? What does James want? What does Arthur Miller want when he wrote?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/what-does-macbeth-want-what-does-shakespeare-want-what-does-othello/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [In 'Lion King,' the music is brilliant. The CGI is amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/in-lion-king-the-music-is-brilliant-the-cgi-is-amazing/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [Every time there is a movie that tells a South African story, it is done by someone who must be taught the right way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/every-time-there-is-a-movie-that-tells-a-south-african-story-it-is/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [In South Africa, it is different. When you are born not even your father knows what is going to happen in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/in-south-africa-it-is-different-when-you-are-born-not-even-your/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [I'd read Shakespeare in school, translated into isiXhosa, and loved the stories, but I hadn't realised before I started reading the English text how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/i-d-read-shakespeare-in-school-translated-into-isixhosa-and-loved-the/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [We are sort of not at the level of entertainment that the Western world is. Everything we see on the play in the screen,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/we-are-sort-of-not-at-the-level-of-entertainment-that-the-western/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [We haven't got those dreams: 'I wish to become doctor or a lawyer.' Black people in South Africa have been barred in doing anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/we-haven-t-got-those-dreams-i-wish-to-become-doctor-or-a-lawyer-black/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) [Explore all 92 John Kani quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. 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You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When the situation politically became intolerable within South Africa, we used the arts as a weapon for change.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Kani" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/when-the-situation-politically-became-intolerable-within-south-africa/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/when-the-situation-politically-became-intolerable-within-south-africa/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/183/john-kani-7300_art_when-the-situation-politically-became-in_1254421.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/183/john-kani-7300_art_when-the-situation-politically-became-in_1254421.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/183/john-kani-7300_art_when-the-situation-politically-became-in_1254421.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When the situation politically became intolerable within South Africa, we used the arts as a weapon for…” — John Kani", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Kani", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When the situation politically became intolerable...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/when-the-situation-politically-became-intolerable-within-south-africa/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/when-the-situation-politically-became-intolerable-within-south-africa/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```