Actress Connie Chiume, of “Black Panther,” passed away unexpectedly last week after a “medical procedure.” She was seventy-two. Her family posted a message on Instagram stating that she passed away on Tuesday at Johannesburg, South Africa’s Garden City Hospital. An update stated that she had experienced “a period of illness.” In neither post was the cause of death mentioned.
The actress’s son, Nongelo Chiume, revealed to Newzroom Afrika that her mother was in the hospital “for a medical procedure.” He stated, “She was getting better, but sadly, we then learned of her passing.”
“We are proud to be her children,” Nongelo continued. “She left us a beautiful legacy, not only just for her children or her family—but for the community and the country at large.” However, he also emphasized his mother’s lifelong advocacy.
“Mam’ Connie was one of the most notable icons coming from South Africa,” he reflected. “Her work through activism on HIV and AIDs program, gender-based violence and voter education—those are all things we can take as inspiration.”
“We want her to be remembered as a person who gave her all through her talents,” Nongelo continued. “We want her to be remembered as someone who was selfless and someone who always wanted to see the next person doing great and believing in their God-given talents.”
The actress from South Africa was born on June 5, 1952. She portrayed Zawavari, a Wakandan elder and the former head of the Mining Tribe, in the films Black Panther and its 2022 follow-up. Zawavari is the previous chief of the Mining Tribe and a member of the Wakandan Tribal Council. As the Elder Statesman of Wakanda, she succeeded Zuri (Forest Whitaker).
She became a member of a touring musical group in the late 1970s before landing a role in the South African theatrical production of Ipi Ntombi. Parts in The Little Shop of Horrors and Porgy and Bess would come later on the stage credits.
Her primary employment was in the South African film and television industry, but one of her first credits was an appearance in The Air Up There, released in 1994. According to BBC News, she was a qualified teacher before going into acting.
In 2022, the South African Film and Television Awards presented her with the Lifetime Achievement Award. “Our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of multi-award winning and legendary actress Connie Chiume. Her outstanding work will always be remembered,” the South African government wrote on social media. Several additional actors from the first “Black Panther” film have passed away suddenly. During Halloween last year, stuntman Taraja Ramsess and three of his kids perished in a car accident. Star Chadwick Boseman passed away in August 2020 following a four-year silent battle with colon cancer. His age was forty-three.
She made an appearance in Beyonce’s 2020 musical film Black Is King in her own right. The South African Film and Television Awards gave Chiume a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. Her three daughters and five grandchildren survive the adored actress.
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