Late legendary actress Connie Chiume’s son, Tumi, recently shed light on the grueling working conditions his mother endured in the entertainment industry before her unexpected passing last week. At the age of 72, Connie was still working long hours, which, according to her son, took a significant toll on her health.
Connie Chiume, a veteran actress celebrated for her roles in productions like *Rhythm City*, *Gomora*, *Black Panther*, *Black Is King*, and *Blessers*, tragically passed away after a “medical procedure” at the Garden City Hospital in Johannesburg. Her funeral service was held on Thursday, 15 August, at the Oasis of Life Family Church in Daveyton, where her family, friends, and colleagues gathered to honor her memory.
During the service, Tumi, one of Connie’s four children, took the opportunity to speak candidly about the struggles his mother faced as an aging actress in the South African film and television industry. He expressed his deep concern over the treatment of veteran actors, particularly how his mother was subjected to exhausting work schedules, despite her advanced age.
“Is it fair to work a 70-year-old 16 hours a day?” Tumi asked the crowd, highlighting the harsh reality that his mother endured. He continued by stating, “She was fighting for the industry. I saw it from behind the scenes; it was painful for me. She was not rewarded for what she was supposed to be. She was in pain because the industry was working her so hard.”https://twitter.com/KayaNews/status/1824024563040026931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1824024563040026931%7Ctwgr%5Ea028a5a29c737dce8e72fe81ff334b825aef68ed%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews365.co.za%2Fconnie-chiumes-son-spills-the-beans%2F
Tumi’s words resonated with many in the audience, especially as they were spoken during Women’s Month, a time dedicated to reflecting on the struggles and achievements of women in South Africa. He urged those present to stand up and fight for their rights in honor of his mother, who had dedicated her life to the entertainment industry despite the challenges she faced.
Connie Chiume’s daughter, Thando, echoed her brother’s sentiments, promising to continue her mother’s legacy by advocating for better treatment of actors, particularly women and older performers. “I am willing to go the extra mile to achieve the goals my mom would have wanted to accomplish,” Thando declared, showing her commitment to fighting for the rights her mother had long championed.
Throughout her illustrious career, which spanned several decades, Connie Chiume was vocal about the numerous issues plaguing the acting profession in South Africa. She often spoke out about poor salaries, exploitation, and the lack of career longevity that many actors face. In an interview with Power FM, she lamented the absence of a unified voice within the industry, saying, “We’ve been in the industry for so long. Most of the people we started with dwindled. We don’t see them anymore.”
Chiume also highlighted the lack of a strong union to represent actors, pointing to the need for greater transparency and unity among her peers. “We don’t speak in one voice, and there is no transparency,” she added, underscoring the systemic issues that continue to affect actors in South Africa.
Connie Chiume’s death has not only left a void in the hearts of her fans and family but also brought to the forefront the ongoing challenges faced by actors in the industry. Her legacy, however, will live on through her children, who are determined to continue the fight for better working conditions and the recognition that veteran actors like their mother so rightly deserve.