South African television and film icon Connie Chiume kicked off her 46th anniversary in the entertainment industry earlier this year on a high note.
Recently returning from Los Angeles after attending the Black Panther’s world premiere, Chiume was honoured with an international lifetime achievement award at the Hollywood African Prestigious Awards.
As one of Forbes Africa’s Top 50 Influential Women in Africa, Connie Chiume is committed to inspiring young actors and actresses by conducting a series of workshops across all nine provinces of South Africa, beginning with the Eastern Cape.
The seasoned actress views these workshops as a way to give back to the industry and the countless fans who have supported her throughout her illustrious career. The workshops will take place in the North West, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and Free State provinces.
Chiume specifically chose these provinces as they are frequently overlooked by mainstream media in terms of arts development. She plans to carry on with the remaining provinces next year.
In celebration of her 46th anniversary, Chiume has joined forces with a younger generation of professionals in the arts to take part in this initiative.
The workshops will primarily focus on empowering the youth by equipping them with valuable skills and information to help budding actors nurture their talents.
Dive into a world of acting techniques, business management, brand management, and social media management with our exciting workshops!
Starting from the second week of June in Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth, and running until mid-October, these workshops will be led by the talented veteran actress Connie Chiume. She can’t wait to share her extensive knowledge and experience with the team during these events.
Connie expresses her gratitude to the National Arts Council, saying, “Thank you for giving this idea the wings it so deserves.”
“I just can’t wait to get out there and share my journey and experiences with the most overlooked segment of our country’s youth—those who aspire to join the entertainment industry but struggle to see themselves achieving their dreams because the industry seems far removed from their reality,” she added.
With accolades from local and international organisations, Chiume has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Artes Award and the Avanti Award. In 2009, she took home the Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) for her role as Stella Moloi in the local drama Zone 14.
Chiume shined as Zinzi in the 2013 award-winning romantic comedy, Fanie Fourie’s Lobola. Her talent graced local television series such as Yizo Yizo, Soul City, Home Affairs, Rhythm City, 90 Plein Street, and Sgudi ‘Snaysi, among others.
Sharing the screen with renowned actors like Kevin Bacon in The Air Up There, Kim Basinger in I Dreamed of Africa, and Samuel L. Jackson in In My Country, Chiume’s star power is undeniable. She also appears in both Black Panther films and Beyoncé’s visual album, Black is King.
Chiume’s theater repertoire includes Porgy & Bess, Little Shop of Horrors, Somdaka, Wathintha Bafazi, and Iphi Ntombi, which toured the U.S.A., Monte Carlo, and New Zealand. She co-produced Bubbly Bossoms and collaborated on the script with the cast and co-producers.
This acting legend received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the SAFTAs, recognizing her notable contributions to television, film, and theater in South Africa and beyond.