I am very close to Malawi—Mamokete Khuse
South Africa’s award winning actress, Connie Chiume, best known for her starring role as Mamokete Khuse, in the e.tv soapie Rhythm City has said Malawi will always be her home despite being born in South Africa.
Chiume, who has starred in several high profile films including Hollywood’s Black Panther, is in the country for a holiday but also shooting of a soapie Choices written by Ashukile Mwakisulu.
“Malawi is my home, my father comes from here, okay I was born in South Africa but I am very very close to Malawi. Even in South Africa I belong to organisations and other Salawian organisations. So, I am very close to this country, I love the food and culture and love everything,” the actress, said in an exclusive interview.
Chiume on Sunday started participating in Choices soapie and shooting was done at Chitawira Private Hospital in Blantyre.
She said her participation in the soapie only shows that the European Film Festival which she patronised in Lilongwe last month has produced a fruit.
“It might not be a big fruit but I am expecting that something bigger and other bigger things will come out. I met Ashukile when I came for the film festival and during that time, I told him that I will be coming to Malawi to visit my family and so, we started talking about if I could just feature and I gladly agreed,” Chiume said.
The veteran actress, said this was something she has always wanted to do, especially working with Malawian filmmakers and theatre practitioners.
“It is so humbling seeing how much work they put in despite the difficult conditions because there isn’t much support in the film industry here which is a pity. If there was a lot of support, there would be so many jobs which would be created through the industry which is not only about actors but there are a number of people working behind the scenes,” she said.
Chiume is playing a mother by the name of Pauline in Choices.
“I have seen several stories at home about parents abandoning their children and this is what is happening to my character,” she said.
Chiume said she was hoping to do more and hinted that she was also in discussion with young filmmakers in Lilongwe although the project was still in its infancy.
“There are lots of beautiful African stories we need to tell, for instance, I still look forward to a story of how my father left this country years and years ago and went to South Africa,” Chiume said.
She then encourage people in the creative industry not to give up and that someday light will shine on them.
Mwakisulu, who plays the role of Pauline’s child, described Chiume as a brilliant actress and that she has completely the whole set of Choices.
“She is only in the country for a few weeks and she has to go back. We have shot two parts but we are looking at featuring her in four to five episodes. She is really good,” he said.
Mwakisulu said featuring Chiume in Choices was a dream come true and that it also showed their seriousness.
