Celebrated South African actress and filmmaker Connie Chiume — perhaps best known to American audiences for her roles in Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever — has died. She was 72.
Her son, Nongelo, confirmed the news to the South African news channel Newzroom Afrika on Wednesday, revealing that Chiume died on Tuesday at a hospital in Johannesburg.
“She was admitted for a medical procedure and she was recovering well,” Chiume’s son shared. “But, unfortunately, we then got the news of her passing.”
Nongelo said of his mother, “We are proud to be her children. She left us a beautiful legacy, not only just for her children or her family—but for the community and the country at large.”
The actress was born in Welkom, South Africa, in 1952, and began her acting career in the 1980s, after returning to South Africa from spending several years in Greece.
Her career spanned South Africa’s two remarkably different eras, as she began acting while the country was still under apartheid, and then was part of the filmmaking boom that came after apartheid was ended in the early ’90s.
Chiume’s biggest Hollywood role came in 2018 with her part as tribal elder Zawavari in Marvel’s Back Panther. She reprised the role in 2022 in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
She is additionally known for her many performances in South African entertainment projects. Notable, memorable TV credits include Zone 14, Rhythm City, Queen Sono and Gomora. Additionally, she starred in a number of major movie roles in films like I Dreamed of Africa, Fanie Fourie’s Lobola and Seriously Single.
She also appeared as herself in Beyonce’s 2020 musical film Black Is King.
In 2022, Chiume was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the South African Film and Television Awards.
The beloved actress is survived by her three children and five grandchildren.
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