Connie Chiume Black Panther actress has passed away.
The multi-award-winning actress starred in various South African TV shows, including Rhythm City, Zone 14, and most recently, Gomora.
Chiume, a trained teacher, transitioned to become a household name on mainstream television. She passed away at a Johannesburg hospital on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 afternoon, as per a brief family statement.
“The Chiume family regrets to inform you of the passing of the internationally acclaimed award-winning actress Connie Chiume,” the statement said.
The family of the deceased actress requested privacy during this difficult time and stated they would share more details later.
Her son Nongelo Chiume mentioned to TV broadcaster Newzroom Afrika that she was in the hospital for a “medical procedure” before her passing. Chiume was a prominent figure on South African TV for years, featuring in shows like Rhythm City. SABC News referred to her as a “beacon of hope” in their tribute.
She gained fame as an actress in 1989 on the popular South African TV series Inkom’ Edla Yodwa. In the 2018 film Black Panther, Chiume portrayed Zawavari, a member of the Wakandan Tribal Council. In the 2022 sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, she took over the role of Wakanda’s Elder Statesman from Zuri (Forest Whitaker). She was also praised for her role as Sarabi, Simba’s mother, in Beyoncé’s Disney musical film inspired by The Lion King.
Her latest work was in Heart of the Hunter, released earlier this year, and she also appeared in the TV series Soon Comes Night in February. Chiume received various awards, including an NTVA Avanti Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in Soul City in 2000.
She won a South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) in 2009 for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for her role as Stella Moloi in the family drama Zone 14. Born in Welkom, in the Free State province, she had a Malawian father and a Zulu mother. Initially trained as a nurse, she later became a teacher.
In 2022, during an interview on the MacG Podcast, she mentioned her wish for people to remember her as they choose to.
