Nothando Mabuza Chiume, the daughter of late South African screen and stage legend Connie Chiume, is opening up about what grief and rebuilding have looked like for her—while also launching a crowdfunding push to finance her studies in Los Angeles. The actress, creative force and CEO of the Connie Chiume Foundation says the campaign is part of a new chapter that’s as much about healing as it is about education.
Quick facts
- Nothando Mabuza Chiume is launching a BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign called “Road to Los Angeles.”
- The goal is to help fund her return to the United States in October to study scriptwriting and acting.
- She plans to keep working toward finishing her qualification, including an associate’s degree.
- Chiume shared the campaign details on Instagram, explaining that posting it wasn’t an easy decision.
- Her mother, Connie Chiume, died in August 2024 at age 72.
Recently, Nothando shared a campaign poster announcing the BackaBuddy initiative. The “Road to Los Angeles” effort highlights that she has been offered an opportunity to head back to the U.S. in October, where she will focus on scriptwriting and acting. Alongside the studies, she’s aiming to wrap up her qualification and work toward completing an associate’s degree.
On Instagram, she admitted that putting her story—and the request for help—out in the open took time. She explained that faith, for her, isn’t only about strength in private; it also involves being honest about what you need and allowing others to see you.
“I’ve gone back and forth about sharing this… but I’ve learned that sometimes faith requires you to be seen,” she wrote. She described how long she spent carrying her challenges quietly, including grief, stress, and the heavy expectations that can come with being the child of a beloved public figure.
In her post, Nothando said she has been dealing with more than people might assume. “For a long time, I’ve carried things quietly. Grief. Pressure. Expectations. The assumption that I’m ‘okay’… that I have everything I need. But the truth is, I’m still building, still healing, still finding my way,” she shared.
Honouring her mother, stepping into her own path
Nothando’s mother, Connie Chiume, passed away in August 2024 at the age of 72. Connie is remembered for a career that stretched across decades, with major contributions to South African television, film, and theatre.
The award-winning performer became known for standout work in productions including Zone 14, Rhythm City, Gomora, and the internationally celebrated Marvel movie Black Panther. Since her passing, Nothando has said she has continued to honour her mother’s legacy while also learning how to move forward as her own artist.
She also looked back on a recent trip to Los Angeles, describing it as an emotional turning point. Nothando said the visit brought her a renewed sense of purpose and peace—something she hadn’t felt in a long time.
“Two months ago, I was in Los Angeles… and something in me shifted. I felt a peace I haven’t felt in a long time. I felt light. I felt aligned. I felt like I could finally breathe again,” she wrote.
That experience, she said, helped shape the direction of her next steps. Rather than viewing the move purely as career development, Nothando framed it as a deeply personal journey centered on growth, creative progress, and choosing herself as she rebuilds.
“This journey is deeply personal. It’s about choosing life again. Choosing healing. Choosing myself,” she said. She added that even though she has worked hard to create opportunities wherever she currently is, she understands that advancement sometimes means taking a leap.
“I’ve poured so much into trying to make things work where I am, and while I’m grateful for every lesson, I’ve come to understand that growth sometimes requires movement,” she wrote.
What the campaign is for
Through her BackaBuddy campaign, Nothando is asking for support from people who believe in her vision and want to contribute to her educational journey. She said she needs help to cover the costs tied to her return to Los Angeles, where she will keep developing her skills in acting and scriptwriting.
“I won’t pretend this is easy for me to say, but I need support,” she shared. She also encouraged both actions that involve donating and actions that involve spreading the message.
“If you feel moved to contribute in any way, big or small, it would mean more than I can express. And if you can’t, sharing this is just as powerful,” she wrote.
For Nothando, the push for funding is about more than tuition. She described it as a way to rediscover herself, pursue her dreams, and continue building a legacy of creativity inspired by her mother.
“I’m trusting God to meet me through the people who believe in me,” she said.
