Season two of the much-anticipated Netflix drama series Kings Of Joburg makes a return on Friday 27 January. The new season delves deep into the secrets, lies, and betrayals that plague the Masire family as a reluctant new king steps into power.  ?

SPECIAL APPEARANCE?

Making a surprise appearance in the first episode is Connie Ferguson's ex-husband Neo Matsunyane who is the father of her eldest daughter Lesedi Matsunyane. Audiences at the premier screamed with excitement as they saw the veteran director, producer and filmmaker appear on-screen. Neo and Connie married in the 1990s and divorced in 1998 after having their daughter Lesedi. 

An insider close to the Ferguson Films family shares with ZiMoja the details of Connie and Neo's relationship. "What a lovely bunch of people. They have a very healthy relationship,' he says. "Lesedi was the casting director for Kings Of Joburg seasons one and two, and adding her father brought such an interesting dynamic to the series. It is giving people something to really look forward to. They are curious about what will happen to him, and their relationship as a family, and of course, the gossips will want to know about Neo and ous Connie, it is expected." The insider says that they are expecting critics to assume they are back together. "But there is really nothing there, just family bonds and friendships." Another close friend says they would not have cast Neo had they thought Shona would not approve. "They are not shady like that. They had a very healthy relationship even before Uncle Sho passed on. I think his passing might have brought him and his daughter closer and that is okay."?

LIFE WITHOUT SHONA?

Kings Of Joburg was created by the late Shona Ferguson who died from Covid-19-related complications in 2021. Shona, real name Arthur Aaron Ferguson was fondly known as Uncle Sho in the media industry. Kings of Joburg season two is directed by Samad Davis, Adries van der Merwe, and Zolani Phakade and Executive Produced by Samad Davis and Shona's widow Connie Ferguson.

Since Shona' death, Connie has kept the ship afloat and the family intact while running their filmmaking business. Work on The Kings Of Joburg production started while Shona was still alive but he died before production began shooting. In a recent interview, Connie expressed how she needed to continue working without him. "It was important that we pick up the pieces and continue to work, to make him proud.'?

WHAT TO EXPECT?

At the premiere of Kings Of Joburg held in Ster Kinerkor, Rosebank Johannesburg, Connie shared how the show needed to go on in honour of her late husband. "It has been tough. Just before we went into pre-production, he got sick, and we lost the biggest part of us. But we had to continue the legacy.' Connie asks that people go on the journey with them. "We needed to deal with what we had to and then come back strong and really honour him in the best way possible and that is coming up with a great production.' Returning to the show is the star-studded cast made up of lead Zolisa Xaluva, Connie Ferguson, SK Khoza, Thapelo Mokoena, Thembi Seete, Sello Maake Ka Ncube, Buhle Samuels, TK Sebothoma, and many other new cast members.