“A candle in the wind. Though her light no ​longer shines, her spirit with forever illuminate ​every heart she touched.”

From the sun-baked streets of Welkom to the dazzling lights ​of Hollywood, Connie Temweka Gabisile Chiume's life was a ​masterpiece of passion and perseverance. Born on 5 June ​1952 in the Free State, Connie blossomed from being a small-​town dreamer into a beacon of African creativity, her talent ​illuminating stages all over the world. With each role and ​each performance, she not only told stories, but she rewrote ​the narrative of what it means to be an African artist on the ​world stage.

The daughter of Wright Tadeyo Chiume from Mphande Village ​in Usisya Nkhatha-Bay in Malawi, and Angelina MaNdlovu from ​Estcourt, KZN; Connie's roots were deeply embedded in the ​rich soil of African heritage. From her early days in Welkom, ​where her love for music and arts first stirred, to her final ​bow on the world stage, Connie's life was a masterclass in ​turning passion into purpose.

Her path was not always straightforward. After a brief stint at ​a nursing school in Tembisa, life took an unexpected turn with ​the birth of her son, Tumi. Undeterred, Connie pivoted to ​teaching, finding herself at the heart of the Soweto uprising ​while working at Leratong Primary School in 1976. But it was in ​1977 that destiny called, leading her to audition for the ​musical “Sola-Sola” that would change the course of her life ​forever.

From that moment, Connie's star began to rise. She graced ​stages across the globe, from Israel to Greece, the United ​States to New Zealand, leaving audiences spellbound with her ​performances in classics like "Porgy and Bess" Little Shop of ​Horrors and Iph' Intombi. Her transition to television was ​equally impressive, with memorable roles on shows like Circle ​of Sands, Inkom’ Edla Yodwa, Sgudi Snaysi, Khululeka, Yizo ​Yizo, the award-winning portrayal of Stella Moloi in Zone 14, ​Rhythm City, Housekeepers, and most recently, Mam’ Sonto on ​Mzansi Magic’s Gomora.

There were also films like Chicken Bizniss, I Dreamed of ​Africa, Losing Lerato and Netflix’s Heart of the Hunter. But it ​was at the age of 66 that Connie achieved global recognition, ​starring in the groundbreaking film Black Panther. This role, ​followed by appearances in Black Is King and Wakanda ​Forever, cemented her status as international icon, proving ​that talent knows no age. Yet, for all her accolades, it was ​Connie's heart that truly set her apart. Through the Connie ​Chiume Foundation, established formally in 2022 but active ​for over two decades, she nurtured young talent across ​Africa, embodying the spirit of ubuntu in every aspect of her ​life. She was more than an actress; she was a mother figure ​to many, a beacon of hope, & a tireless advocate for the arts.

She leaves behind her two sisters children Tumi, Nongelo, ​and Thando; grandchildren Kabelo, Lebone, Lelo, Bahumi, and ​Lewatle; and countless others who found in her a mentor, a ​friend, and a source of inspiration.

Connie Chiume's legacy is not merely in the roles she ​played or the awards she won, but in the lives she touched ​and the dreams she ignited. Her journey from the stages of ​Welkom to the silver screens of Hollywood serves as a ​powerful reminder that with passion, perseverance, and an ​open heart, one can truly change the world.

As the curtain falls on her earthly performance, we ​celebrate a life lived with purpose, joy, and an unwavering ​commitment to her craft and her community. Connie may ​have left the stage, but her spirit lives on in every person ​she inspired, every life she touched, and every heart she ​opened.

Ndine Connie Temweka Gabisile Chiume Murwa Mulanga Chalo ​muzukulu wa Thomas Nongelo Chishola, mwana wa Wright Tadeyo ​Chiume wapa Usisya kufuma kumwera mupaka ku phiri la Mphande, ​mupaka ku Luvuwo Sasasa mupaka ku Mabule.

*Salima Murwa Mulanga Chalo*.

Chiume Murwa Mulanga Chalo.

Halala Halala muzukulu wa Murwa Mulanga Chalo.

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