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South African Black Panther actress Connie Chiume passes on at 72

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South African film legend, Connie Chiume, who featured in Marvel film, “Black Panther, has died at the age of 72, her family has announced.

The iconic film star who graced South African TV for decades, reportedly died at a Johannesburg hospital, according to a statement published on social media by her family.

The announcement posted on Instagram on Tuesday reads:

“The Chiume family regrets to inform you of the passing of the International Acclaimed award winning actress Connie Chiume.

“Connie Chiume 72, passed on at Garden City Hospital today on the 6th August 2024. The family asks for privacy during this difficult period. The family will communicate further details.”

Chiume, who played tribal the role of a leader Zawavari in both “Black Panther” and its 2022 sequel, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” was a household name in her native South Africa.

She was a multi-award-winning actress who also starred in several South African TV shows including “Rhythm City”, “Zone 14” and most recently, popular TV series, “Gomora”.

Chiume was born in 1952 to a Malawian father and a South African Zulu mother, according to her profile on the website of her agency, MLA.

“Before embarking on a career in showbiz that spanned more than 45 years, she trained as a nurse and later worked as a teacher.

“Her first foray into the world of entertainment came in 1977 when she joined a musical show called “Sola Sola,” which toured Israel and Greece and went on to rack up a host of credits on both stage and screen.

“She rose to prominence as an actress in 1989 when she appeared in the popular South African television series “Inkom’ Edla Yodwa”.

“In the 2018 “Black Panther” film, Chiume starred as Zawavari – a member of the Wakandan Tribal Council. In the 2022 sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” she replaced Zuri (Forest Whitaker) as Wakanda’s Elder Statesman.

“She was also highly celebrated for her appearances in Beyoncé’s Disney musical film based on “The Lion King”, in which she played Simba’s mother, Sarabi.

“Her most recent role was in “Heart of the Hunter”, released earlier this year, and she also appeared in TV series “Soon Comes Night” in February.

Chiume was given several awards, including an NTVA Avanti Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her role in Soul City in 2000.

Later in 2009, she received a South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for her role as Stella Moloi in the family drama Zone 14.

Paying tribute to her on X, the South African government posted:

“Our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of multi-award winning and legendary actress Connie Chiume. Her outstanding work will always be remembered. #RIPConnieChiume.”

Culture

GWR: Nigerian lecturer hits 100-hour mark in marathon lecture

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A Nigerian lecturer, Dr Nsikak Akpan, has hit the 100-hour mark in his attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the marathon lecture series, a record currently held by an Indian Professor, Arvin Mishra, who clocked 139 hours, 52 minutes, 42 seconds in 2014.

Dr Akpan, a lecturer at Foreign Links College of Health Technology, Moro, Osun State, had embarked on a 150-hour marathon lecture in a bid to set a new world record for the longest lecture stretch.

Each session of the lecture lasts four hours before the record chaser takes a break and returns after 20 minutes.

While speaking with journalists ahead of the event on the campus of the college, Akpan disclosed that his application sent to the Guinness World Records for him to embark on the marathon lecture was approved.

Delivering a lecture on a topic relating to mental health, Akpan reached 100 hours of continuous lecture at about 12:30 pm on Friday.

“The mental health of a man is a product of different things, most especially his environmental and spiritual well-being,” Akpan said on reaching the 100-hour mark.“

There are health conditions and seasons that one may have and will not contribute to the mental health of workers. The environment by which someone works has a direct effect on his health,” he noted.

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Culture

Nigerians are angry that British actor Idris Elba is selected to play lead role in ‘Things Fall Apart’ adaptation

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Nigerian social media users are wondering why British actor, Idris Elba, has been selected to portray the character of Okonkwo in the adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel, ‘Things Fall Apart’, in a new TV series by American entertainment company, A24.

According to English tabloid, Variety, apart from playing the lead role as the protagonist, Elba will also serve as executive producer alongside Gina Carter under their 22Summers production banner, while Nigerian filmmakers, David Oyelowo and Amanda N’Duka, will be the executive producers.

“Things Fall Apart states it is the “story of Okonkwo (Elba), one of literature’s most iconic characters—a fearless African warrior and leader who is resolute about preserving his people and culture,” the tabloid wrote.

“As British colonisers disrupt his world, Okonkwo’s struggle to maintain power and tradition spirals into a heart-wrenching confrontation. His fierce resolve, a fatal flaw in the face of unstoppable change, makes him an unforgettable character, embodying the tension between strength, vulnerability and adaptability,” it added.

However, Nigerian Netizens are not happy with the arrangement as they believe a Nigerian actor in the mould of Pete Edochie should have been the right fit for the role as he had played Okonkwo when the novel was first adapted as a movie in 1971 and later as a mini-series in 1987.

They are also wondering how Elba who is British, will be able to handle Igbo words and proverbs which made the Okonkwo character unique.

Others were also quick to point out Elba’s bad ‘African’ accent as noticed in the movie Wakanda accent.

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