Connie Chiume — more than an actress, she was a ‘brilliant and courageous cultural activist’

Connie Chiume at the 6th Annual Royalty Soapie Awards at The Galleria on March 11, 2023 in Sandton, South Africa. The event is an annual award ceremony that celebrates the hard work cast and crew put into producing excellent work and recognises excellence in the soap opera industry. (Photo: Gallo Images / Oupa Bopape)

By Jo-Mangaliso Mdhlela

7 Aug 2024

‘She was a Struggle icon in the industry committed to helping every artist to succeed. This industry needs more of her kind, with a commitment to shake government and business to invest more in the industry,’ said musician Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse.

‘I am saddened. I am devastated,” said musician Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, about the death of the renowned South African actress Connie Chiume in hospital on 6 August at the age of 72.

“If it is not a tragedy, I don’t know what it is … the smile you saw her wear every day on the television was not an act; it was a smile she carried with her all her life, in private and public spaces.

“She has gone too soon. Many emerging artists in the industry will lose out on her solid mentorship carved over many years in the industry.

“She was not an ordinary actor. She was a Struggle icon in the industry committed to helping every artist to succeed. This industry needs more of her kind, with a commitment to shake government and business to invest more in the industry,” he said.

Connie Chiume at the official South African premiere Of Black Panther Wakanda Forever at Ster Kinekor The Zone Rosebank Mall on November 09, 2022 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo: Gallo Images / Oupa Bopape)

A leading light

Theatre legend Dr John Kani described Chiume as “a consummate professional” who cared dearly about the long-term future and wellbeing of SA’s creative industry, showing grit and determination through her activism “for the good of the industry.

“Connie was in the struggle to emancipate, to always struggle for justice in the industry throughout her life.

“Cultural activism came to her naturally, to be in solidarity with struggling artists. The industry is in dire straits and Connie played her role to highlight the deficiencies that must be tackled.

“Why are film budgets so low? Why do we produce one or two films a year? Why on Earth do the wealthy in this country not invest billions of rands in the film industry so that we can produce not one or two films a year, but as many as 30 or more a year?

“Connie had a dream to bring the industry to levels at which there would be big budgets to enhance the film industry.

“We need a strong union to articulate these aspirations, and Connie, a consummate cultural activist, was there to agitate for change.

“She cared more about the alleviation of the plight of the creative workers, and for that, she commanded respect among her peers in the industry.

“She was a strong woman, distinctively set apart from the rest. I am in tears. She will be sorely missed,” said Kani.

Connie Chiume at the 6th Annual Royalty Soapie Awards at The Galleria on March 11, 2023 in Sandton, South Africa. (Photo: Gallo Images / Oupa Bopape)

A special one

Mara Louw, a veteran actress and singer, said: “Connie was a special one. As an accomplished actor, she threw herself in at the deep end with high expectations.

“Socially, she was cordial and bubbly. It is very, very sad to lose such a brilliant and courageous cultural activist.”

Actress Thembsie Matu said she and Chiume shared Christian values and often talked about their faith.

“We were not fanatics, but were both generous in supporting each other, driven by our common Christian heritage.

“When my church, the Anglican parish in Thokoza, Ekurhuleni, had a fund-raising event, she generously and freely offered to support the gala dinner without demanding a cent in return. That spirit of generosity is lacking among many of us, but she had plenty of it.

“I will miss her. She had a good heart. Her commitment to cultural activism for justice in the industry was amazing,” said Matu.

Sindi Mkhize, a warden at the Church of St Stephen’s in Thokoza, said: “Sis Connie was such a generous person with her time.

“When we asked her to support our fund-raising project by being part of the gala dinner we hosted last November, she did not hesitate. With other fellow artists, she came to support us without demanding a cent. I am so sorry that she has passed on. We will miss her.” DM

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A leading light

A special one