Black Panther Maestro Connie Chiume dies at 72

Connie Chiume, a seasoned actress from South Africa who starred in the Marvel movie Black Panther, passed away at the age of 72, according to her relatives.

The multiple award winning actress has starred in a number of South African television series, most recently Gomora, Zone 14, and Rhythm City. Although Chiume was a qualified teacher, mainstream television helped make him a household name.

A brief family statement stated that she passed away on Tuesday afternoon at a hospital in Johannesburg. Connie Chiume was an internationally acclaimed and award-winning actress, and her family regrets to inform you of her passing," the statement read. During this trying time, the family requested for privacy and promised to provide more information later.

Chiume began her career as an actress in 1989, when she starred in the popular South African television series Inkom' Edla Yodwa. She gained recognition as an actress in 2018 when she played Zawavari, a member of the Wakandan Tribal Council. In the 2022 sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, she played the role of Wakanda's Elder Statesman, replacing Zuri (Forest Whitaker).

She was also praised for her roles in Beyoncé's Disney musical film based on The Lion King, where she played Simba's mother, Sarabi. Her most recent role was in Heart of the Hunter, which was released earlier this year.

Several of her fans have described her as a versatile actress who played a number of parts in the South African television business, and tributes to her have poured in on social media.