Connie Chiume

Connie Temweka Gabisile Chiume (5 June 1952 – 6 August 2024) was a South African actress and filmmaker. She was known for her film roles in Black Panther, Black Is King and Blessers. On television, she appeared in S'gudi S'nyasi, Yizo Yizo 2, Zone 14, Rhythm City and Gomora.

Early life

Chiume was born on 5 June 1952 in the mining town of Welkom, South Africa. Her father Wright Tadeyo Chiume (d. 1983) was from Nkhata Bay, Malawi and her mother MaNdlovu (d. 2020) hailed from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Her cousin, Ephraim Mganda Chiume is a Malawian politician.

Chiume spent her early childhood in Welkom. She completed her matric in the Eastern Cape and started training to become a nurse. However, she went on to graduate with a degree in teaching in 1976. In 1977, she left South Africa and became part of a touring musical group, visiting Greece and Israel with them. In October 2020, she received a Feather Award nomination. In 2022, she received the lifetime achievement award at the South African Film and Television Awards.

Personal life and death

Chiume was married from 1985 to 2004. She was a mother of four, with two sons and two daughters. She was born and raised in Welkom, South Africa.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes 1990 Warriors from Hell Marita 1994 The Air Up There Mrs Urudu 2019 Losing Lerato Gogo on Bus 2019 Blessers Ma-Lerato 2020 What Did You Dream? Koko Short film 2022 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Zawavari 2025Meet the KhumalosMavis Khumalo

Television

Year Title Role NotesRef 1989 Inkom' Edla Yodwa ThembiTelevision film 2007–2015 Zone 14 Stella Moloi 2020 Gomora Mam'Sonto Molefe 2024 Soon Comes Night Blood Legacy Mohlolohadi as thakane as Madlamini Ndlovu Television film

Achievements South Africa Film and Television Awards 2024 Herself Best Actress in a Telenovela