Chadwick Boseman, ‘King of Wakanda,’ Dead at 43

Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman is dead after succumbing to a four-year battle with colon cancer. Chadwick’s career exploded after he landed the role of Black Panther in the superhero movie of the same name.

The movie inspired many black people, particularly those in Africa, as the movie portrayed the continent in a  beautiful and positive light.

And while he was inspiring the world and playing King T’Chala of the fictional Wakanda – a technologically advanced African city powered by vibranium – he was battling colon cancer that eventually led to his passing away.

Chadwick Boseman dead

His death was confirmed on his Twitter page “It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman.”

Chadwick, who will be forever remembered as the Kind of Wakanda, was diagnosed with stage lll colon cancer in 2016 and fought with it until it progressed to stage lV.

But despite this, Chadwick continued to shoot several films. He did not publicly disclose his medical condition to the world and this is one of the main reasons why his passing has been a shocker to many people.

“A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much. From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy.”

Wakanda forever

While Wakanda is a fictional place, it gave pride to the people of Africa and somehow, had an impact on the black population scattered across the world.

Several actors such as Angela Basset, Mark Ruffalo, Dwayne Johnson, Denzel Washington, Ice Cube, Halle Berry, and more paid tribute to the fallen actor.

The ‘Wakanda Forever’ sign/pose/greeting broke many barriers and became a symbol of celebration and maybe identity for some black people including athletes.

In Captain America: Civil War, Chadwick is quoted saying:

“In my culture, death is not the end.”