The late Connie Chiume is set to star in the upcoming Netflix movie, "Meet The Khumalos".
Image: File.
Family, friends, and fans gathered to celebrate the legendary South African actress Connie Chiume at the premiere of the Netflix movie "Meet The Khumalos". The event was filled with both laughter and tears as they paid tribute to Chiume.
Chiume, who passed away on August 6, 2024, after a brief illness, is set to make a posthumous appearance on Friday, April 11.
At the premiere, Connie’s family, including her children Tumi and Sphelele Chiume, along with Nothando and Thabisile Mabuza, shared heartfelt moments that encapsulated the bittersweet essence of celebrating her final performance.
Tumi, reflecting on the experience, expressed the emotional weight of witnessing his mother’s last work.
"This is still fresh for us, and seeing things like this gets our emotions high," he said.
As the firstborn, Tumi reminisced about the profound impact of his mother’s journey in the entertainment industry.
"I grew up under my mother as her firstborn and seeing her go into this industry with the highs and the lows she was going through and all I can say is that she loved the industry, passionately so.
"All those who have worked with her, I know they have seen that. She's been our mother and a mother to the industry ... We would like to thank everyone for the support they have given us since last August.
"This has been too early for us, although we are trying to move on, take one day at a time, we live in an era of social media and now and then something pops up or social media reminds you of the memories you've put out there."
Tumi revealed the struggles his family has faced since their loss, encouraging others to remember the joy Connie brought into their lives.
"We just want to appreciate her life, she raised us well."
He recounted a touching moment from this last family gathering around his birthday, where he expressed gratitude to his mother for her unwavering support throughout his life.
"Last year, around my birthday, around April as well, we were all together and I told her, 'Thank you very much, don't ever feel guilty about us, you've done your work. Don't ever feel like there is anything that you've missed on raising us' and I reiterate those words even now.
"She has done her work outside the family and inside the family as well."
Tumi added: "I just want to also thank the industry for loving her and working with her and to Netflix ... You are setting a standard. Our artists are struggling, and I am not an artist but I've seen things from the background, so thank you for setting a standard that our artists should have better working conditions.
"Thank you very much. Keep on setting the standards for this industry."
"Meet The Khumalos" is a side-splitting comedy that boasts a star-studded cast of South Africa's finest, including Khanyi Mbau, Khosi Ngema, Jesse Suntele, Siyabonga Shibe, and Bonga Dlamini.
The storyline follows Grace Khumalo, played by Mbau, whose seemingly perfect life is turned upside down when her former best friend and now enemy, Bongi Sithole, moves in next door.
Amidst their complicated past, comedic chaos ensues as they learn their children are secretly dating, prompting a desperate attempt to end their romance.
As an adaptation of the 2017 hit film "Meet the Kandasamys", also penned and directed by Jayan Moodley, "Meet The Khumalos" promises both fresh laughs and insight into the original narrative.
