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Connie Chiume, a veteran South African actor who appeared in Marvel film Black Panther, has died at the age of 72, her family has announced.<\/p>\n
The multi-award-winning actress starred in several South African TV shows including Rhythm City, Zone 14 and most recently, Gomora.<\/p>\n
Chiume was a trained teacher but later became a household name on mainstream television.<\/p>\n
She died at a Johannesburg hospital on Tuesday afternoon, a short family statement<\/a> said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n “The Chiume family regrets to inform you of the passing of the internationally acclaimed award-winning actress Connie Chiume,” the statement said.<\/p>\n The family asked for privacy during this difficult period and said it would communicate further details later. <\/p>\n Her son Nongelo Chiume told TV broadcaster Newzroom Afrika<\/a> that she was admitted for a “medical procedure” before her death.<\/p>\n Chiume graced South African TV for decades in shows such as Rhythm City, with the country\u2019s public broadcaster SABC News describing her as a “beacon of hope” in their tribute.<\/p>\n She rose to prominence as an actress in 1989 when she appeared in the popular South African television series Inkom\u2019 Edla Yodwa.<\/p>\n In the 2018 Black Panther film, Chiume starred as Zawavari \u2013 a member of the Wakandan Tribal Council. In the 2022 sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever she replaced Zuri (Forest Whitaker) as Wakanda\u2019s Elder Statesman.<\/p>\n She was also highly celebrated for her appearances in Beyonc\u00e9\u2019s Disney musical film based on The Lion King, in which she played Simba\u2019s mother, Sarabi.<\/p>\n Her most recent role was in Heart of the Hunter, released earlier this year, and she also appeared in TV series Soon Comes Night in February.<\/p>\n Chiume was given several awards, including an NTVA Avanti Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her role in Soul City in 2000. <\/p>\n Later in 2009, she received a South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for her role as Stella Moloi in the family drama Zone 14.<\/p>\n She was born in Welkom, in Free State province, to a Malawian father and a Zulu mother. She trained as a nurse but ended up as a teacher. <\/p>\n In 2022, she told the MacG Podcast<\/a> that she would like for people to remember her the way they choose to. <\/p>\n \u201cI have impacted each and every person in a different way. Whatever way I have impacted you, remember me that way.\u201d<\/p>\n Tributes have flooded in on social media with some of her fans describing her as a versatile actress who played a multitude of roles in the South African television industry. <\/p>\n “Her outstanding work will always be remembered,” the South African government posted on X.<\/a> <\/p>\n She leaves behind four children – two sons and two daughters. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n