South African actor and film producer Shona Ferguson has died.

He was 47.

Conrad Mwanza, a representative from the Ferguson Foundation, confirmed Ferguson died on Friday at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg due to COVID-19-related complications and not a heart operation as earlier reported.

“Yes, Mr Ferguson passed away at noon today. And all the family is asking for at the moment is just to mourn in private. But it’s very difficult, you can imagine, for Connie and the family,” Mwanza said.

Ferguson was married to actress and producer Connie Ferguson.

Born Aaron Arthur Ferguson on 30 April 1974, he started his acting career as Ace in the TV series Generations.

In April 2006, he started acting in Muvhango as Dr Leabu.

In March 2007, he left the Venda soap opera and starred as Itumeleng in The Wild from 2011 to 2013.

He started the production company Ferguson Films with his wife Connie in 2010, with both of them starring in the company’s first TV production, Rockville.

His other TV appearances include The Queen, Isidingo: The Need and Scandal.

In 2020, Ferguson made his Netflix debut, partnering with the streaming service on the six-part series Kings of Joburg. – Staff Reporter/Wires

Staff Reporter

The Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation has described the late jazz maestro Tsepo Tshola as a genius who touched the lives of many with his music.

Popularly known as the Village Pope, Tshola, 67, is one of the big names that graced the Mangaung African Cultural Festival (MACUFE) since inception and drew large crowds.

“Ntate Tsepo Tshola will be remembered as a musical genius whose music communicated the lived realities of the society in which we exist,” said MEC Limakatso Mahasa.

“. . . he indeed became a voice for the voiceless and marginalised among our populace hence he vociferously called out social ills through his music and rallied those in the high echelons of power to action,” she said in a statement.

Mahasa said her department attributes the success of MACUFE to artists of Thsola’s calibre as he played a pivotal role in the history of the annual festival spanning over two decades.

“MACUFE is now a global concert and funfair because he was among those who believed in the strength and capabilities of local artists to attract international audiences,” she said.

“He was a musical giant whose music shaped the cultural identity of Africans on the continent and across the diaspora.

“He . . . leaves behind a rich discography that we all treasure as part of his legacy.

“Personally, I had the rare honour of spending time with Ntate Tsepo Tshola from 2003-2005.

“He was indeed a father, leader and musical genius. May his soul rest in peace.”

The Lesotho-born musician was admitted at a Lesotho hospital after contracting COVID-19 and succumbed to the disease on Thursday morning.

He was a former member of popular group Sankomota.

After being absent from the music landscape for a very long time, Nathan Sephapho is back with a brand new single titled Jerusalema E Mocha.

The Kroonstad-born artist who is based in Thaba Nchu is not a stranger in music circles as he was one half of the music duo Caprivi Camp which performed all over the Free State province.

Jerusalema E Mocha is a fusion of gospel and hip hop.

Speaking about his single, Nathan said the song is about turning a new leaf on life, a new beginning and transitioning from the old to a new life.

“The song symbolises a new beginning in my life. Where I was before and where I am today, I am in a new era, it is a new beginning in my life, the new beginning of everything where I saw the grace of God upon my life,” he said.

According to Nathan, the also song encourages people to have faith in God at all times.

Jerusalema E Mocha is available for free downloads on Nathans website. – Own Correspondent