His introduction to the entertainment industry began early in his life, as he observed and learned from his father, who delved into scripts for his acting roles and often took him to theater performances.

[2][needs update] Kani made his international stage debut in The Tempest, a collaboration between the Baxter Theatre Centre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he played Ariel alongside his father (Caliban) and Sir Antony Sher (Prospero).

One reviewer described him as "the star of this production...he was a true pleasure to watch, embodying the character and interacting beautifully with the rest of the cast".

In 2009, Kani performed in two new plays, Hayani and ID Pending, which explore ideas of home and identity for young South Africans in different ways.

Together with fellow actor and Wits graduate Nat Ramabulana, and directed by Warren Nebe, they premiered the productions at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival.

The film was written and directed by South African filmmaker Jarryd Coetsee and based on the short story by Can Themba.