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All hail the Queen.
Connie Chiume, finest recognized for her roles in Black Panther in 2018 and Black Panther: Wakanda Without end, died on Aug. 6 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The beloved actress and legend was 72.
Her demise comes simply 4 years after the passing of the movie’s star Chadwick Boseman, who died in August 202o after quietly affected by colon most cancers.
Chiume’s family confirmed the information on the star’s Instagram web page.
“The Chiume household regrets to tell you of the passing of the internationally acclaimed award-winning actress, Connie Chiume,” the assertion started. “Connie Chiume handed on at Backyard Metropolis Hospital immediately on the sixth August 2024.”
“The household asks for privateness throughout this tough interval,” the assertion concluded. “The household will talk additional particulars.”
Chiume performed Wakandan Tribal Council chief and later Elder Statesman Zawavari within the Marvel movies, which additionally starred a bevy of Black excellence, together with Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Bassett, Daniel Kaluuya and Michael B. Jordan.
It was a job she was extraordinarily pleased with. “I used to be forged with them,” she informed the South African outlet News24 in 2022 of working with a few of Hollywood’s largest stars. “Which suggests the director noticed one thing in me, that I’m additionally on that caliber.”
Connie Chiume in the course of the 2022 GQ Males of the Yr Awards at The Leonardo on December 10, 2022 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The awards recognise the women and men making a distinction in tradition, vogue, sport and media in South Africa and throughout the African continent. Supply: Gallo Photographs / Getty
Whereas Chiume’s actual reason for demise remains to be unknown, her son Nongelo Chiume informed South African information community Newzroom Afrika on Tuesday that his mom had been within the hospital,” he defined. “She was admitted for a medical process and she or he was recovering properly. However, sadly, we then acquired the information of her passing.”
“We’re proud to be her youngsters,” Nongelo continued. “She left us a stupendous legacy, not solely only for her youngsters or her household—however for the neighborhood and the nation at massive.”
Chiume was a distinguished South African actress who starred in a number of common tv exhibits, equivalent to Zone 14, Soul Metropolis, Mazinyo Dot Q, and Gomora, and movies, together with Beyonce’s Black is King, Rhythm Metropolis, and Critically Single. On the time of her demise, she had over 30 credit to her identify.
Connie Chiume (L) and Zizo Beda in the course of the 2020 Feather Awards on November 11, 2020 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The awards rejoice and acknowledge all who help, encourage and empower the LGBTIQA+ neighborhood. Supply: Gallo Photographs / Getty
The South African authorities paid tribute to the actress on X stating, “Our heartfelt condolences to the household, pals, and colleagues of multi-award successful and legendary actress Connie Chiume. Her excellent work will all the time be remembered #RIPConnieChiume.”
Nyong’o additionally paid tribute to Chiume with a heartfelt Instagram put up alongside an image of the actress in beautiful Zulu conventional garb.
“We have now misplaced a library,” she captioned the Aug. 6 Instagram put up. “Might @conniechiume relaxation in peace and energy.”
Gabisile Connie Chiume was born on June 5, 1952, in Welkom, the second-largest metropolis within the Free State province of South Africa. She is survived by her three youngsters and 5 grandchildren.
With a profession spanning over 40 years, Chiume knew that she was breaking down boundaries within the trade for the black actors and actresses who would observe in her footsteps.
“After I began, there wasn’t even a TV station for Black folks,” she informed News24. “There’s been progress in that side,” she stated, “and the cash that we had been incomes then, it’s a lot, a lot better now. However there’s nonetheless loads we are able to do to vary the panorama.”
