Just hours before her death, iconic South African actress Connie Chiume was in a jovial mood, looking forward to greener pastures as she shared awe-inspiring news about her latest career achievements.
This was Connie Chiume’s last post before her death
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Chiume was pronounced dead on Tuesday, 6 August 2024, at the age of 72.
In a statement, her family confirmed the tragic news, careful to not reveal details about her cause of death.
“The Chiume family regrets to inform you of the passing of the International Acclaim award winning actress Connie Chiume. Connie Chiume 72, passed on at Garden City Hospital today on the 6th of August 2024. The family asks for privacy during this difficult period. The family will communicate further details,” the statement read.
Chiume, just a day before news of her death was announced, was in a celebratory mood and, by all accounts, had a lot to look forward to.
In what would become her last living post, the actress celebrated receiving nominations at the 2024 Royalty Soapie Awards.
The veteran actress is nominated in the Outstanding Female Villain category for her role as Sonto in Gomora. She is also in the running for the Viewers Choice Best Actress award for the same role.
In her final post, Chiume reacted positively to the nominations, encouraging her fans to “continue voting.”
“Wow wow… ai my Gomora family, let’s go… Let’s continue voting, it’s your choice,” she wrote.
Shortly after news of the death spread, the Royalty Soapie Awards issued a statement, mourning “the loss of an extraordinary talent and beloved icon.”
“Mama Connie Chiume, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 6th Royalty Soapie Awards, touched countless lives with her remarkable performances and grace. Her legacy will continue to inspire and uplift us all. Rest in peace, Mama Connie. Your light will forever shine in our hearts,” the organisation wrote.
Gauteng Sports, Arts and Culture MEC Matome Chiloane also reacted to the death of Connie Chiume.
In a statement, the MEC extended her condolences to the Chiume family, describing her passing as “a huge loss to the nation and the creatives fraternity.”
“We reminisce on her meticulous talent which made her a one-of-a-kind performer whose extensive body of work has represented our great nation’s star power beyond our borders. Her immense on-screen impact was immeasurable and will go down in history as one of our greatest storytellers,” Chiloane said.
Details about Connie Chiume’s memorial and funeral service have yet to be canvassed.
Connie Chiume biography
Connie Temweka Gabisile Chiume (5 June 1952 – 6 August 2024) was a renowned South African actress and filmmaker.
Born in Welkom, Free State, she was the daughter of Wright Tadeyo Chiume from Malawi and MaNdlovu from KwaZulu-Natal.
Chiume began her career in nursing but eventually found her calling in the arts.
She enrolled in a nursing course at Tembisa Hospital but was expelled after falling pregnant.
This setback led her to pursue teaching and ultimately the arts.
Chiume’s acting career began with roles in stage productions such as Porgy and Bess, Iphi Ntombi, and Little Shop of Horrors.
She gained prominence with her role as Thembi in the 1989 series Inkom’ Edla Yodwa and the 1990 film Warriors from Hell.
She earned several accolades, including Best Actress in a Drama Series at the South African Film and Television Awards.
From 2007 to 2015, Chiume starred as Stella Moloi in the SABC1 drama series Zone 14, which won her another SAFTA.
She also appeared in the soap opera Rhythm City as Mamokete Khuse.
In 2018, she played the Mining Tribe Elder in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film, The Black Panther, and in 2020, she starred in Gomora as Mam’Sonto Molefe.
Chiume was married from 1985 to 2004 and had four children.
