Connie Chiume, a celebrated South African actress known for her role in the Marvel film “Black Panther,” has died at the age of 72, her family announced.
Chiume, who featured in numerous South African TV shows like “Rhythm City,” “Zone 14,” and “Gomora,” died on Tuesday afternoon in a Johannesburg hospital following a “medical procedure,” her son Nongelo Chiume told Newzroom Afrika.
The Chiume family issued a brief statement expressing their sorrow: “The Chiume family regrets to inform you of the passing of the internationally acclaimed award-winning actress Connie Chiume.”
They also requested privacy during this difficult time, promising to share further details later.
Chiume’s career on South African television spanned decades, with notable appearances in shows like “Rhythm City.”
SABC News honored her as a “beacon of hope” in their tribute. She gained prominence in 1989 with her role in the TV series “Inkom’ Edla Yodwa.”
In the 2018 “Black Panther” film, Chiume played Zawavari, a member of the Wakandan Tribal Council. In the 2022 sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” she took on the role of Wakanda’s Elder Statesman, previously portrayed by Forest Whitaker as Zuri.
She also featured in Beyoncé’s Disney musical film “The Lion King” as Sarabi, Simba’s mother.
Her latest role was in “Heart of the Hunter,” released earlier this year, and she appeared in the TV series “Soon Comes Night” in February.
Over her illustrious career, Chiume received several accolades, including an NTVA Avanti Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series for “Soul City” in 2000, and a South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for “Zone 14” in 2009.
Born in Welkom, Free State province, to a Malawian father and a Zulu mother, Chiume initially trained as a nurse but later became a teacher.
Reflecting on her life in a 2022 interview on the MacG Podcast, she expressed her wish for people to remember her in their own way: “I have impacted each and every person in a different way. Whatever way I have impacted you, remember me that way.”
Tributes have poured in on social media, with fans celebrating her versatility and multitude of roles in the South African television industry.
The South African government posted on X, “Her outstanding work will always be remembered.” Chiume is survived by her four children – two sons and two daughters.
Source-BBC
