Connie Chiume, a celebrated South African actress known for her roles in “Black Panther,” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” and Beyoncé’s “Black Is King,” has passed away at the age of 72. Chiume died on Tuesday at Garden City Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, as confirmed by her family on Instagram. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed.
“The Chiume Family regrets to inform you of the passing of the internationally acclaimed award-winning actress Connie Chiume,” the family’s statement read. “The Family asks for privacy during this difficult period. Further details will be communicated by the family.”
Born on June 5, 1952, in Welkom, South Africa, Chiume initially pursued a career in nursing and later earned a teaching degree before transitioning to acting. Her acting career began in 1977 when she moved to Greece to join the cast of the musical “Sola Sola.”
Chiume gained widespread recognition in South Africa for her role as Thembi in the 1989 series “Inkom’ Edla Yodwa.” She continued to build her career with notable performances in the soap opera “Rhythm City” as Mamokete Khuse and in numerous other projects, including “Warriors from Hell,” “The Line,” “I Dreamed of Africa,” “Yizo Yizo,” “Zone 14,” “Home Affairs,” “Blessers,” “Umama,” and “Jewel.”
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In 2018, Chiume was cast as Zawavari, a Mining Tribe Elder, in the Oscar-winning film “Black Panther.” She reprised her role in the 2022 sequel, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” where her character succeeded Zuri (Forest Whitaker) as Wakanda’s Elder Statesman.
Reflecting on her experience in “Black Panther,” Chiume told South Africa’s Sunday Times in 2022, “I went to an audition not knowing what I was auditioning for. I went there and I was given a piece that I was supposed to do. I could see that this person is an African who was addressing the nation. I wore my African regalia, I learnt my lines. I did my best.”
Chiume also played Sarabi, Simba’s mother, in Beyoncé’s “Black Is King,” a musical film that reinterprets the soundtrack album “The Lion King: The Gift.”
Throughout her illustrious career, Chiume earned several accolades, including the NTVA Avanti Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in “Soul City” in 2000 and the SAFTA for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for her role in “Zone 14” in 2009.
Chiume’s legacy as a pioneering actress in South Africa and her contributions to international cinema will be remembered and cherished by her fans and the entertainment industry worldwide.
