Shona Ferguson

Shona Ferguson
Ferguson in 2019
Born
Aaron Arthur Ferguson

30 April 1974 (1974-04-30)
Gaborone, Botswana
Died30 July 2021(2021-07-30) (aged 47)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Nationality
Occupations
  • Director
  • actor
  • producer
  • businessman
Years active1992–2021
Spouse
(m. 2001)
AwardsGolden Horn Award

Aaron Arthur Ferguson (30 April 1974 – 30 July 2021),[1] professionally known as Shona Ferguson, was a Motswana actor based in South Africa, executive producer and co-founder of Ferguson Films, alongside his wife, Connie Ferguson.

Early career

Ferguson started his journey into the world of entertainment in Lesotho as a club DJ at The Palace Hotel Night Club in 1992. After moving back to Botswana his focus shifted to the corporate world and he ended up in the IT business. Having started as a salesman, he worked his way up to become a respected businessman where he won multiple achievement awards, including Top Sales Manager Award 1998–99.

Acting career

Ferguson's first major acting role was as Dr Leabua in the South African Venda language soap opera Muvhango. He left the show in March 2007. He then starred as Itumeleng from 2011 to 2013 on The Wild, a M-Net soap opera.

He, along with wife Connie Ferguson, established Ferguson Films[2] and both starred on their film production's first series Rockville. He starred as JB from 2013 to its final episode in 2016. He also starred on 2014's The Gift, a Ferguson Films series, and starred as Jerry Maake on The Queen, also a Ferguson Films series that started in 2016. His other TV appearances include Isidingo: The Need as Tyson and Scandal! as Alex.[3]

Ferguson Films

In 2010, he started Ferguson Films with wife and actress, Connie Ferguson. Their productions included Rockville, iGazi, The Gift, The Throne, The Herd, The Queen, and The Imposter.[2]

In 2020, they produced a Netflix six-episode fantasy crime drama called Kings of Jo'Burg, for which Ferguson had a starring role.[4] The series was renewed for a second season, that premiered on 23 January 2023, and a third season, which premiered on 13 June 2025, with the story details accumulating following Ferguson's passing.[5][6]

Movies

Ferguson was cast in the 2010 film Mrs. Mandela.[7]

Personal life

He met actress Connie Masilo on 31 July 2001.[8] They married in November of that year.[9]

Awards and nominations

He received the Golden Horn Award for Best Actor in a TV Soap and Golden Horn Award for Best Achievement by a Lead Actor in a Made for TV Movie.[10]

Death

On 26 June 2021, Ferguson was admitted to Pinehaven Hospital with COVID-19. With his condition getting worse, he was airlifted towards the mid-days of July to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg,[11] where he died on 30 July 2021, aged 47.[12] He was buried at the Fourways Memorial Park, after a private funeral.[13] A memorial service was held two days later, where the attendance was limited to 50 due to COVID-19 lockdown regulations.[14][15]

References

  1. ^ Graye Morkel and Sesona Ngqakamba (30 July 2021). "Shona Ferguson, 47, has died". News24. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Ferguson Films Productions". sme. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Shona Ferguson TV Roles". TVSA. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  4. ^ Goldstuck, Arthur (11 November 2020). "'Kings of Joburg' to be crowned on Netflix". Gadget. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  5. ^ Tv, Bn (10 January 2023). "Watch the action-packed trailer for "Kings of Jo'burg" Season 2". BellaNaija. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  6. ^ "Stream It Or Skip It: 'Kings Of Jo'Burg' Season 3 On Netflix, Where Demons Play A Huge Part In Johannesburg's Gang Wars". decider. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  7. ^ "Mrs. Mandela (2010) Cast". IMDb. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  8. ^ "Connie Ferguson pens tribute to late husband". instagram. 31 July 2021. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021.
  9. ^ "Shona Ferguson and wife Connie Ferguson celebrate 17 years of marriage". afromuziki. 30 November 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  10. ^ "Shona Ferguson Awards". Brandarcsa. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  11. ^ Ndongeni-Ntlebi, Viwe (27 July 2021). "Shona Ferguson reportedly in ICU after undergoing heart surgery". IOL. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  12. ^ Baloyi, Thabo (30 July 2021). "BREAKING: TV producer Shona Ferguson DIES from COVID-19". thesouthafrican.com. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  13. ^ "Shona Ferguson confirmed deceased on Instagram profile". instagram @ferguson_films. 30 July 2021. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021.
  14. ^ "Shona Ferguson Funeral Service". YouTube. 8 August 2021.
  15. ^ "Shona Ferguson Memorial Service". YouTube. 8 August 2021.