Acclaimed television star Connie Chiume joins the cast of Cinderella Panto

Although probably best known to South African TV viewers as ‘everyone’s mother’ Mamokete Khuse in the long-running Rhythm City, Connie Chiume can also be seen currently in the telenovelo Gomora, where she plays the character Mam’Sonto.

However, Connie has performed on many stages around the world, from Israel to Greece, France to New Zealand, Great Britain to Lesotho and Zimbabwe. Since 1976, she has had an illustrious career starring in a number of TV dramas, documentaries, films and theatre.

This year Connie returns to the stage, to star in her very first pantomime as the Fairy Godmother in Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella at Joburg Theatre.

"I am looking forward to being on stage again and interacting with an audience,”

says Connie.

“This is my first pantomime in the four decades that I have been in the industry. It’s an opportunity that I don't take lightly. I always knew that, with time, I would do this. I have admired Janice from afar, and now I get to work with a legend who has contributed so much to South African theatre. I am also overjoyed to be working with the actors, crew and the whole team. I am looking forward to this experience."

Connie Chiume played the role of Stella Moloi in the SABC1 drama series Zone 14, for which she won the Golden Horn award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama at the third South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) in 2009.

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Other television series she has starred in include the SABC1 drama Soul City (for which she won the Avanti award for Best Actress in a Drama Series in 2000), the SABC1 sitcom Mazinyo Dot Q and the SABC2 drama series 90 Plein Street. She has also appeared in Home Affairs, Khululeka, Yizo Yizo 3, Soul City and Generations. Connie has been seen in numerous commercials, documentaries and educationals.

Her movie credits are equally numerous, including The Air Up There (1994), Chikin Biznis (1998), I Dreamed of Africa (2000) and Country of My Skull (2004). Connie says that the highlight of her career was being part of the 2018 multi-award winning blockbuster movie Black Panther.

In theatre Connie Chiume played the lead role in the acclaimed stage play You Strike The Woman, You Strike The Rock (2006) and has performed in Ipi Ntombi (which toured South Africa, Monte Carlo, USA and New Zealand), Porgy & Bess, and Little Shop of Horrors.

Ms Chiume is also the co-founder of Destiny Theatre and Film Academy and conducts theatre and film workshops in small towns nationwide. Through her company Ndatopa Kusauka Events and Projects, she also coordinated The New Orleans Jazz Festival last year.

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Audiences can enjoy seeing Connie Chiume having fun and weaving magic as the Fairy Godmother in Janice Honeyman’s pantomime Cinderella, which is produced by Joburg Theatre and Bernard Jay on the Nelson Mandela stage at Joburg Theatre from October 31st to December 20th 2020.