Renowned South African actress Connie Chiume, known for her roles in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and Beyoncé’s “Black Is King,” has passed away at the age of 72. She died on Tuesday at Garden City Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Her family announced her death on Instagram, revealing that she succumbed to her illness in the hospital. In their statement, the Chiume family expressed their sorrow, stating, “The Chiume family regrets to inform you of the passing of the internationally acclaimed award-winning actress Connie Chiume.” They requested privacy during this challenging time and mentioned that further information would be provided later.
Her son, Nongelo Chiume, informed TV broadcaster Newsroom Afrika that she had been hospitalized for a “medical procedure” prior to her passing.
Chiume had a significant presence on South African television for many years, featuring in productions such as “Rhythm City,” with SABC News honoring her as a “beacon of hope” in their tribute.
Born on June 5, 1952, in Welkom, South Africa, Chiume was the fifth of nine children. She trained as a nurse and it wasn’t until 1977 that she started her career as a performer, moving to Greece to join the cast of the musical “Sola Sola.”
She later gained popularity amongst South African communities thanks to her role as Thembi in the series “Inkom’ Edla Yodwa” in 1989 and as Mamokete Khuse in the South African soap opera “Rhythm City.”
Chiume was cast as Zawavari, a Mining Tribe Elder, in 2018’s Oscar-winning film “Black Panther” – a role she reprised in the 2022 sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
Chiume also portrayed Simba’s mother Sarabi in Beyoncé’s “Black Is King,” a musical film interpreting the soundtrack album “The Lion King: The Gift.”
In 2022, she was honored with the South African Film and TV Awards’ lifetime achievement award for her many performances, which also saw her star in “Zone 14,” “Soul City,” and “Gomora.”
Chiume is survived by her four children: two sons and two daughters.