As tributes continue to pour in for veteran South African actor Connie Chiume, who had Malawian origins, Film Association of Malawi (Fama) vice president Ashukile Mwakisulu has recalled the moments they had with her in Choices soapie that used to screen on MBC Television.
Written and produced by Mwakisulu, Choices which phased out, engaged Chiume’s services in two episodes when she visited the country on holiday in 2019.
Some of the scenes were shot at Chitawira Private Hospital in Blantyre.
“What a great actress and inspiring woman. The creative industry has lost an amazing actor. We lost Juliet Royo Chikweba, who was there in Choices then Hope Chisanu and now sis Connie,” the actor and filmmaker, said.
Mwakisulu said Chiume featured in two episodes when she was on holiday and that they took advantage of her availability.
“Working with her was an absolutely amazing experience. She was very professional. She never looked down on us especially being a Hollywood actress that she was. She actually encouraged us. She was very humble but firm and principled,” he said.
Chiume played a long lost mother (Pauline Siliya) in Choices.
“She left me (Mwakisulu) when I was young and emigrated to her mother’s home in South Africa. She was good in front and off camera. We were speaking with her almost every holiday since the time we featured her in Choices,” he said.
Mwakisulu said during his interaction with her, she encouraged them to keep up the artistic fire and believe in themselves.
“She told us to trust the Malawi creative industry and that despite the challenges, we needed to have faith in its growth process,” the Fama vice president, said.
He said that they were sad that Choices was no longer screening at the moment but are trying to bring it back.
“Due to other challenges Choices stopped but the adrenaline is there to bring it back,” Mwakisulu said.
Chiume died on Tuesday at Garden City Hospital in South Africa aged 72.
South African Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Chiume, highlighting the profound impact had on the South African arts and culture landscape, describing her as a “beacon of strength, resilience, and grace.”
“Her passing at age 72 marks a profound loss for the South African nation and the world of arts and culture. Chiume’s matchless talents and dedication to her craft have left an indelible mark on the hearts of many,” the minister told the media in South Africa on Tuesday.
Born on June 5 in Welkom in Free State province, to a Malawian father and a Zulu mother, she trained as a nurse but ended up as a teacher.
In 2019, she told The Daily Times, that she loved Malawi and that it was her home.
In 2022, she told the MacG Podcast that she would like for people to remember her the way they choose to.
“I have impacted each and every person in a different way. Whatever way I have impacted you, remember me that way.”
Survived by four children, Chiume starred in a number of movies including 2018’s Oscar-winning Black Panther, 2022 sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Beyonce’s Black Is King, Rhythm City, Zone 14 and Gomora.
