Colleagues, friends and family said their final goodbyes as award-winning actress Connie "Mam' Connie' Chiume was laid to rest today. The service leading to her burial took place at the Oasis of Life Family Church in Daveyton in Ekurhuleni. Mam Connie passed away last Monday after a short illness. She is leaving behind her children, Itumeleng Chiume, Nongelo Chiume, Nothando Mabuza, Thabisile Mabuza and grandchildren.

SELF LOVE

Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Gayton Mackenzie, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, other politicians and other entertainment personalities gathered to pay their last respects to an icon who contributed to the South African film industry for over 30 years. Mam Connie's niece, Sindisiwe Chiume, said that the source of her success was always being true to herself. "Firstly, Mama understood that umuntu ngu muntu ngabantu (no man is an island). She understood that it was important to treat a person the way she would have loved to be treated. She understood that you cannot get before giving and that opened a magnetic portal for her receiving,' Sindisiwe said. "Our mother understood the concept that as much as the government is responsible for its citizens, ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country. She put South Africa on the map through Black Panther. Thirdly, she understood that self-love meant self-control. Investing in one's development and being aware of one's voice and how it impacts other people,' Sindisiwe said.

A MOM

Her on-screen daughter on the production Gomora, Katlego Danke, said Mam Connie took the role of Mam Sonto and tore it up - as the youth would say. "You brought your heart and soul to it every day. Going home every day and making sure you come back the next day fully prepared. Regardless of your advanced age and responsibilities at home," she said. "Regardless of being passionate about your role at work, you were also as passionate about being a mom, friend and neighbour. All that was required from you as a mom -you were there for it. Not a celebrity, not the Black Panther actress but a mom. You made every single one of us on set feel loved.' Katlego said. "We will miss your natural sense of regal confidence, your scrutinising eye for detail, your encouragement when your morale is low, your no-nonsense approach, your artistry, and your ungovernable, naughty sense of humour that often came as a surprise,' she added.

HER ROOTS

The Norkhem Park community, where she resided, described her as a people person. "Connie was a true leader. She put together a team of Swazi South Africans and Malawians to demonstrate that people could work together regardless of origin, parentage, or heritage. She was proudly Souwalian (South African and Malawian), a term she coined due to her South African and Malawian heritage from her parents, and she promoted this ideal.'