South African actress Connie Chiume, known for her roles in Marvel’s “Black Panther” and several popular South African TV shows, has died at the age of 72, her family announced.
Chiume passed away on Tuesday afternoon at a Johannesburg hospital. Her family released a brief statement requesting privacy and promising to provide further details later.
“The Chiume family regrets to inform you of the passing of the internationally acclaimed award-winning actress Connie Chiume,” the statement read.
Her son, Nongelo Chiume, told TV broadcaster Newzroom Afrika that she had been admitted for a “medical procedure” before her death.
A versatile performer, Chiume appeared in numerous South African TV series, including “Rhythm City,” “Zone 14,” and “Gomora.” She first gained prominence in 1989 with the popular South African series “Inkom’ Edla Yodwa.”
Chiume also had notable roles in international films. In “Black Panther” (2018), she portrayed Zawavari, a member of the Wakandan Tribal Council, and she returned in the 2022 sequel, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” as Wakanda’s Elder Statesman. Additionally, she played Sarabi, Simba’s mother, in Beyoncé’s Disney musical adaptation of “The Lion King.”
Her most recent work includes “Heart of the Hunter,” released earlier this year, and the TV series “Soon Comes Night,” which aired in February.
Chiume received several awards throughout her career, including an NTVA Avanti Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series in 2000 and a South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) for Best Supporting Actress in 2009.
Born in Welkom, Free State, to a Malawian father and a Zulu mother, Chiume initially trained as a nurse before becoming a teacher and later a celebrated actress. In 2022, she expressed a wish to be remembered in the way people felt she had impacted them.
Tributes have poured in from fans and colleagues, with many praising her as a versatile actress who left a lasting mark on the South African television industry. The South African government honored her memory on social media, stating, “Her outstanding work will always be remembered.”
Chiume is survived by her four children: two sons and two daughters.
