The life of South African award-winning actress Connie Chiume was celebrated at Oasis of Life Family Church in Daveyton, Gauteng on Tuesday, August 13.
The “Black Panther” star died at the age of 72 at Garden City Hospital on Tuesday, August 6, after a short illness.
The memorial was attended by government dignitaries, ambassadors, entertainment industry giants and her close family and friends.
Veteran actor, Sello Maake KaNcube led the proceedings.
During the ceremony, attendees reflected on Chiume’s well-lived life, her accomplishments and shared insights into her life away from the cameras.
Author David Molapo took to the podium to welcome guests and described the TV and film actress as a courageous, open-minded and inspirational woman.
“We were saddened and shocked when we got the message of the passing away of sis Connie ... If you know anything about Connie, it’s that she was courageous enough to do things that’s never been done before.
“She taught us that when you fail, don’t fall on your face, fall on your back, because when you fall on your back, you can look up, and when you can look up, you can get up.”
Molapo also spoke of her unfinished dream to establish a foundation in her name as well as other business ventures.
Desiree Markgraaff of The Bomb Shelter Productions, who produced “Yizo Yizo”, said, “Driving into Daveyton today brought back a flood of memories, this was the place where, as a young producer, I first watched the magic of Ma Connie on screen.
“We were on the ‘Yizo Yizo’ set and she played a single mother who was grappling with raising teenage children.”
Speaking about her acting abilities, Markgraaff said Chiume could transport viewers to a place of “deep emotion”.
“She could take you to a place of deep emotion, memory and moments. She could move you from laughter to tears to anger, all within minutes.
“When I heard of her passing I was stuck with a feeling of really deep loss, not only the pain of losing a wonderful person and a great actress but something much more profound, the loss of an institution.
“The loss of an era that somehow Connie Chiume represents.
“It’s an era where being an actor was a calling, it was just about fame or ratings, but about a deep need within an actor to tell a story, to move people, to reflect the human condition in all its nuisances ...”
She said Chiume lived her truth through her craft.
“While she enjoyed the fame and celebrity, she never became a slave to it. Her truth was in acting and her incredible skill to tap into our deepest emotions and to make us think and feel.”
Industry legend Owen Sejake, who is well known for his roles in “Yizo Yizo”, “Soul City” and “Gold Diggers” among other shows, shared his fondest memories of Chiume with a fitting tribute.
The seasoned actor referred to Chiume as a “dynamic woman”.
“This was a girl, an artist, a teacher, who could dance, sing, act. I am standing in front of you and remembering a colleague that has travelled all the way with us,” he said.
Chiume’s close friend, Dr Shabalala, spoke of how Chiume’s story of her life will continue.
Dr John Kani, a renowned multi-disciplinary actor, director and playwright, who has been in the entertainment industry for over six decades, reminisced about the beautiful friendship that Chiume and him shared.
“To the Chiume family, we are unable to explain how great this lady was ... Connie was a respectable being, we are all proud to have intermingled and crossed paths with her.”
“Goodbye my friend, it was too soon, it was at a time where Hollywood was opened to Connie and I.
“There are projects that are lined up that we were going to be involved in. It took us a lifetime of commitment to this industry to crack Hollywood, to crack Europe.”
Kani urged young actors to not give up and for government, South African citizens and fans to give flowers to respected artists before it is to late.
Others who paid tributes to Chiume were veteran actress Rami Chuene and SABC Head of Content, Lala Tuku.
Watch Chiume’s memorial service below.