Black Panther actress dies after illness

Black Panther actress Connie Chiume has died at the age of 72, her family has said.

The South African star and filmmaker appeared in two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, set in the fictional land of Wakanda.

She died at the Garden City Hospital in Johannesburg on Tuesday after a period of illness, her family said in a statement shared on her Instagram page.

In a second post, referencing the Connie Chiume Foundation, founded by the star in 2020 to support creative professionals, her family said they wanted to "extend their heartfelt gratitude for all the messages of support and condolences during this difficult time".

The statement added: "Her children would like to express their deep appreciation to the doctors and nursing staff who provided exceptional care during her stay."

Chiume played Zawavari, a former leader of the Mining Tribe, in the 2018 film Black Panther, which starred the late actor Chadwick Boseman in the lead role of T'Challa.

It was the first superhero movie ever nominated for best picture at the Oscars, and made $1.3bn (£997.6m) worldwide at the box office. Boseman died aged 43 in 2020 after suffering from colon cancer for four years - a diagnosis he had kept private from all but those closest to him.

In the 2022 sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Chiume's character became a Wakanda elder who was part of the funeral passage for T'Challa, and also played a role when Shuri (Letitia Wright) became leader.

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Chiume also appeared in the South African series Gomora, Seriously Single and Queen Sono, as well as the musical film, Black Is King, directed by Beyonce.

Her accomplishments included a South African Film and Television Award (Safta) for best supporting actress for her role in Zone 14, a series about two warring families, in 2009.

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Paying tribute, fellow South African actress Connie Ferguson wrote on Instagram: "Not sure I'm processing this! Rest in peace my love. My deepest condolences to the Chiume family and friends. Wow!!!"

Director Mmabatho Montsho wrote: "Oh no Mama! Condolences to family and all loved ones."