Connie Chiume, the beloved multi-award-winning actress, has passed away at the age of 72. Chiume died on Tuesday afternoon at Garden City Hospital in Johannesburg following a medical procedure, her family announced.

“The Chiume family regrets to inform you of the passing of the internationally acclaimed award-winning actress Connie Chiume,” the family stated, requesting privacy during this difficult time. Further details will be shared at a later date.

Chiume, who trained as a teacher, rose to fame in South African television with roles in popular shows such as “Rhythm City,” “Zone 14,” and “Gomora.” She first gained prominence in 1989 with her appearance in the television series “Inkom’ Edla Yodwa.”

Internationally, Chiume was celebrated for her role as Zawavari, a member of the Wakandan Tribal Council, in the 2018 Marvel blockbuster “Black Panther” and its 2022 sequel, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” She also portrayed Sarabi in Beyoncé’s Disney musical film “Black Is King.”

Born on June 5, 1952, in Welkom, Free State province, to a Malawian father and a Zulu mother, Chiume initially trained as a nurse before turning to teaching and later transitioning to acting in 1977. Her career began with the musical “Sola Sola” in Greece, and she became a household name in South Africa with her roles in “Rhythm City” and “Zone 14.”

Throughout her illustrious career, Chiume garnered numerous awards, 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. Her most recent work included roles in the film “Heart of the Hunter” and the TV series “Soon Comes Night.”

Tributes have poured in on social media, with fans and colleagues celebrating her versatile talent and lasting impact on 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. In a 2022 interview on the MacG Podcast, she expressed her wish for people to remember her in their own unique way, saying, “I have impacted each and every person in a different way. Whatever way I have impacted you, remember me that way.”

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Emmanuel Mensah