Connie Chiume Meets With Zizo Kodwa To Talk About Issues In The Entertainment Industry. The seasoned actress known for her iconic roles in ‘Rhythm City’ and ‘Gomora met with the new Minister of Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa. The visit comes after many people in the arts including herself had complained about pressing issues they have been facing.
On Sunday evening, the legendary actress was honoured with the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the Royal Soapie Awards that had many experienced and new actors in attendance. Upon receiving her award, Connie expressed gratitude to her support structure, her fans and her kids. Chiume also went on to add that the her being the celebrated actress she is today wasn’t because of her alone but because of the collective effort of the people who poured into her craft.
“From 2022 guys they’ve just been coming. They say give someone their flowers while they can still smell them, I’m smelling them and I appreciate it. I don’t take anything for granted, thank you a million times. I want to thank everybody who has touched me in my life and my career in anyway. If you’ve touched me in any way, I want to thank you , you’ve made me what I am and I also want to thank my family for always standing with ,me. My children are always there for me. I’m so lucky,” Chiume said in her acceptance speech.
After making the acceptance speech she had signalled to Zizi Kodwa who was in the audience that they would be talking soon. Connie went on to lament about how the entertainment industry in South Africa had not really evolved in the way it hires actors, saying, “After being in the industry and playing these roles why am I still needed to go and audition, guys. Unfortunately, in this country it still happens—I am not standing here to be political but just saying the truth that we are still needed to queue up.
“Queueing with people who just recently graduated, people who are looking up to us. That’s how it is, I am going to talk because I am old. I have a licence to talk because of the salt and pepper,” Chiume concluded.
Connie Chiume took to her Instagram to share photos of Minister Kodwa and his Deputy paying her a visit at her home on Wednesday. The conversations had with the minister revolved around discussing urgently important matters that people in the arts were facing. “What an honour being visited by the honourable new Minister of Arts,Sports and Culture.I shared a lot of my 46 years experience in the creative industry.I hope I have played my part in high lighting the pressing issues and planted seeds of fruit to be enjoyed by all tomorrow,” Connie captioned the photos.
