Connie Chiume, Black Panther Actress, Dead at 72: Lupita Nyong'o and More Pay Tribute

Wakanda is mourning the loss of a legend.

Connie Chiume, who starred in Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, died Aug. 6 in Johannesburg, South Africa, her family confirmed. She was 72. 

"She had been in hospital," her son Nongelo Chiume shared on Newzroom Afrika Aug. 6. "She was admitted for a medical procedure and she was recovering well. But, unfortunately, we then got the news of her passing."

Connie—who played Wakandan Tribal Council member and later Elder Statesman Zawavari in the Marvel films—was also a prominent name in the South African acting community. She starred in several TV shows and films like Black is King, Rhythm City and Seriously Single.

"We are proud to be her children," Nongelo continued. "She left us a beautiful legacy, not only just for her children or her family—but for the community and the country at large."

But he also highlighted his mother's advocacy during her life.

"Mam' Connie was one of the most notable icons coming from South Africa," he reflected. "Her work through activism on HIV and AIDs program, gender-based violence and voter education—those are all things we can take as inspiration."

"We want her to be remembered as a person who gave her all through her talents," Nongelo continued. "We want her to be remembered as someone who was selfless and someone who always wanted to see the next person doing great and believing in their God-given talents."

Meanwhile, Connie's Black Panther costar Lupita Nyong'o shared a heartfelt message alongside a photo of the actress donning a vibrant yellow beaded gown with a matching beaded Zulu traditional headgear.

"We have lost a library," she captioned the Aug. 6 Instagram post. "May @conniechiume rest in peace and power."

The South African government also paid tribute to the Housekeepers actress alongside a photo of her. "Our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of multi-award winning and legendary actress Connie Chiume," the government wrote on X Aug. 6. "Her outstanding work will always be remembered."

South African actress Connie Ferguson expressed her heartbreak in the comments, "Not sure I’m processing this,” she wrote. “Rest in peace my love. My deepest condolences to the Chiume family and friends."

Singer Judith Sephuma simply wrote, "Rest in eternal peace mama."

Looking back at her own career, Connie couldn’t help but gush over her time with Marvel. For her, working alongside Lupita, Michael B. Jordan, Angela Bassett and the late Chadwick Boseman was a dream come true. She told News24 in October 2022, “I was cast with them, which means the director saw something in me, that I’m also on that caliber.”