Kings of Jo’burg (Season 2) Review, Cast, Trailer & Episodes

Kings of Jo’burg (Season 2)

The news is everywhere; the Fergusons’ hit Netflix drama series returns for a second season. According to reports, the new season debuted on Netflix, it has been in production since last year. Prepare to see some of your favorite actors on the series, including Connie Ferguson, Zolisa Xaluva, Thembi Seethe, Cindy Mahlangu, Nnekwa Tsajwa, Buhle Samuels, Thapelo Mokoena, TK Sebothoma and Altovise Lawrence reprise their roles.

The new season continues without its lead actor and executive producer, Shona Ferguson, who died due to complications from COVID-19 in 2021. It also sees the fictional family adapt to a new king and new enemies in the City of Gold following the loss of the King of Jo’burg, Simon Masire.

Release Date

27 January 2023

Cast

Major Cast

Shona Ferguson As Simon ‘Vader’ Masire

Shona Ferguson played Simon “Vader” Masire, a member of the KOJ brotherhood and the eldest of the Masire siblings. He is the smoother and charming brother and a prolific businessman who heads the family business. Unfortunately, he hides a deep dark secret under the lavish suits and ties. Shona gained fame as both an actor and a producer.

Thembi Seete As Keneilwe

The famous Thembi Seete also plays Keneilwe Masire in the hit series. Despite being one of the most popular actresses in the South African film industry, Seete is best known as one of the members of the kwaito supergroup Boom Shaka from 1994-2000.

Connie Ferguson As Masire Mermaid

Connie Ferguson, the wife of the late Shona Ferguson, plays Masire Mermaid. Connie is best known for co-producing and starring in several hit shows, including “Generations.”

Zolisa Xaluva As Mogomotsi ‘Mo’ Masire

Mogomotsi “Mo” Masire is played by Zolisa Xaluva. Mo is Simon’s younger brother and an ex-convict. He finds himself having to choose between the life that got him to jail and honouring his responsibilities to the legacy of a crime family and also following the steps of his beloved older brother.

TK Sebothoma As Tlotlo Masire

TK Sebothoma plays the spoilt and overly privileged Tlotlo Masire, who is a fan favourite on the show.

Tsholofelo Matshaba As Jazmine Gumede

Tsholofelo Matshaba plays Jazmine Gumede. He is a straight-talking and no-nonsense detective who is obsessed with taking down the Kings of Joburg.

Cindy Mahlangu As Phumzi

Cindy Mahlangu features on the hit show as Phumzi. The famous actress and model is best known for her role as Dumazile in the Mzansi Magic supernatural drama series “The Herd.”

Sello Sebotsane As Stan Mazibuko

Renowned actor Sello Sebotsane is Stan Mazibuko on the drama series. Sello is an actor and producer best known for his roles in the television serials such as Stokvel, Those Who Can’t, Rockville, and 90 Plein Street.

Lunathi Mampofu As Mystery Woman

Lunathi Mampofu plays the mystery woman on the show. Mampofu is a famous actress, MC, and fashion designer who has appeared on several hit shows on South African television.

Buhle Samuels As Angela Masire

The talented Buhle Samuels plays the beautiful and supportive wife of the show’s main character Simon Masire, played by Shona Ferguson.

Abdul Khoza As Lester

Abdul Khoza brings some of his magic to the show as Lester. Khoza is an award-winning actor, writer, and musician.

Other Cast

Shona Ferguson	Simon ‘Vader’ Masire / 2020
Zolisa Xaluva	Mogomotsi ‘Mo’ Masire / 2020
Sello Sebotsane	Stan Mazibuko / 2020
Buhle Samuels	Angela Masire / 2020
Tk Sebothoma	Tlotlo Masire / 2020
Nnekwa Tsajwa	Sting / 2020
Connie Ferguson	Masire Mermaid / 2020
Tsholofelo Matshaba	Jazmine Gumede / 2020
Cindy Mahlangu	Phumzi / 2020
Edmund Ngema	Ayanda / 2020
Abdul Khoza	Lester / 2020
Sthembiso Khoza	Cyrus / 2020
Busiswe Twala	Mimi / 2020
Thembi Seete	Keneilwe / 2020
Lunathi Mampofu	Mystery Woman / 2020
Llewellyn Cordier	Leon / 2020
Ntokozo Majozi	Thuso / 2020
Siyasanga Mfenyana	Nonzi / 2020
Sipho Ngema	Jomo / 2020
Siyabonga Mzolo	Sam Jnr / 2020
Terri J. Vaughn	Robin / 2020
Resego Masilo	Neo / 2020
Sbusiso Shongwe	Frank (Simon’s Driver) / 2020
Lehlohonolo Makoko	Menzi Skhosana / 2020
Michael Anthony	Magic / 2020
Anele Gwele	Corrupt Cop / 2020
Roderick Jaftha	Indian Mob Captain / 2020
Sam Phillips	Samuel Senior / 2020
Buhle Radebe	Club Alpha Girl / 2020
Tarina Patel	Ms. Salem / 2020
Marcus Mabusela	Prison Guard / 2020
Thabo Malema	Denis / 2020
Enyinna Nwigwe	Aliko Bajo / 2020
Keneilwe Matidze	Female Police Officer / 2020
Masechaba Mdlovu	TV Presenter / 2020
Cameron Cozens	Junior Officer / 2020
Dimitri Bajlanis	Aliko’s Goon / 2020
Molemo Maarohanye	Dominic (Poker Player) / 2020
Patrick Peni	Police Station Officer / 2020
Drikus Volschenk	Michael Cozens / 2020
Xolani Fihla	Traffic Cop / 2020
Sindiswa Magidla	Detective 1 / 2020
Thulani Msiza	Traffic Cop / 2020
Lungelo Ngwala	Chille Boy / 2020
Asande Thugo	Rose (Masire Maid) / 2020
Collen Mogongwa	Magic’s Local Connection / 2020
Zandile Msutwana	Robin’s Neighbour / 2020
Desmond Williams	Uber Driver / 2020
Lesley Nkosi	Doctor / 2020
Mbuso Shezi	Security Company Employee / 2020
Zolani Phakade	Gun Salesman / 2020
Smilo Dlamini	Police Grave Digger / 2020
Thembinkosi Sithole	Police Grave Digger / 2020
Lorato Pilane	Gaborone Cashier / 2020
Arthur Sibela	Policeman / 2020
Andries Van Der Merwe	Andre van Heerden / 2020

Plot

A fictional scenario where the Masire brothers are in charge of criminal activities in Johannesburg, South Africa, and that there is a supernatural curse that affects their family and that there are conflicts of loyalty that could lead to their downfall.

Shona Ferguson is not only the creator of the show, but also plays one of the main characters, the elder brother of the Masire brothers. Connie Ferguson also stars in the show as a demon mermaid, adding a supernatural element to the story.

Episodes

The second season features only eight episodes. Several African Netflix series have featured only six episodes leaving the viewers wanting more.

Season 1. Episode 1 | Watch-time – 43m

Fate of a powerful family, the Kings, is uncertain due to the disappearance of one of its members, Simon, and the return of a previously unknown sister. Additionally, a new detective has been assigned to investigate the family and its activities.

Season 2. Episode 2 | Watch-time – 46m

Character named Veronica has a lot of unexplained or unresolved aspects of her life in the past 20 years and another character named Angela is trying to find out what happened to Simon and in the process, Angela becomes suspicious of another character named Mo.

Season 3. Episode 3 | Watch-time – 38m

The Masire clan has just pulled off a big heist, and they are taken in for questioning by the police. One of the characters, Phumzi, reveals a secret to another character Mo. Another character, Tlotlo, is faced with a dangerous enemy who is affiliated with the Masire clan.

Season 4. Episode 4 | Watch-time – 45m

The leader of the Masire clan, the patriarch, has been killed and Mo must investigate to find out who the killer is. Tlotlo is involved in a risky negotiation with another character named Zaza. Additionally, Mo and Angela have a significant moment or interaction.

Season 5. Episode 5 | Watch-time – 49m

The Masire family seeks vengeance for the death of the patriarch by causing chaos and destruction in the town to find the killer. Phumzi is captured by someone from her past and is being held against her will.

Season 6. Episode 6 | Watch-time – 42m

Mo is attacked at Simon’s Memorial Service, but is protected by the power of the demon mermaid. Mo now has to make a difficult decision in order to rescue Phumzi from her captors.

Season 7. Episode 7 | Watch-time – 40m

Masire family’s safe house is under attack. Angela finds out where Veronica’s true allegiances lie. Mo initiates a plan to locate Phumzi and safeguard his family members.

Season 8. Episode 8 | Watch-time – 47m

Masire clan is coming apart, as Tlotlo turns against Mo. Additionally, Veronica reveals a new and unexpected side of herself, further complicating the situation.

Trailer

A new trailer for season 2 was released by Netflix on 10 January 2023. The trailer shows the Masire still holding Johannesburg in a tight grip despite rival families’ encroachment and the supernatural’s uncertainty. They appear to remain stronger than ever while running the city they have always ruled. Simon is no more, and Mo acknowledges that he isn’t his brother. Their enemies believe “Jozi has no king” and intend to strike.

Review

Kings of Jo’burg is a South African crime drama series that follows the lives of the Masrie family, a powerful crime syndicate in Johannesburg. The series was created by Shona Ferguson, who tragically passed away before the second season was released. Despite this, his wife Connie Ferguson took up the reins and managed to plot out a second season that honors his legacy and advances the story of the Masrie family.

The second season picks up where the first left off, with Mo Masrie (Zolisa Xaluva) taking over as the head of the crime family after his brother Simon’s (Shona Ferguson) mysterious disappearance. Mo is struggling with the curse of the mermaid, which he acquired after killing his brother, and finds himself facing a number of challenges and threats to his family’s safety.

One of the main conflicts in the second season is Mo’s relationship with his pregnant wife Phumzi (Cindy Mahlangu). Phumzi reveals to Mo that she is an undercover cop, causing tension and mistrust in their relationship. However, Mo ultimately proposes to her and vows to trust her and support her in her undercover work.

Another major plot point in the second season is the planned gold heist, led by Mo’s son Tlotlo (TK Sebothoma). The heist is complicated and dangerous, and Mo ultimately calls it off in order to assert his authority as the new head of the family. This decision causes tension between Mo and Tlotlo, and raises questions about the future of the Masrie family.

The acting in the second season of Kings of Jo’burg is generally solid, with Zolisa Xaluva delivering a strong performance as the lead character Mo. Abdul Khoza also offers a strong performance as Victor Gaxa, the agent determined to bring the Masrie family down. Connie Ferguson is also a welcome addition to the cast, delivering a nuanced and powerful performance as Mo’s sister Veronica. However, some of the other cast members struggle with delivering overly dramatic and mediocre performances.

One of the biggest shortcomings of the second season is the inclusion of the supernatural aspect of the series. The curse of the mermaid feels unnecessary and adds a level of ridiculousness to the series that detracts from the serious and gritty tone of the crime drama. Additionally, the editing is often abrupt and choppy, making it difficult to follow the narrative.

Overall, the second season of Kings of Jo’burg is a disappointing follow-up to the first season. The story has potential but is marred by poor execution and creative decisions that detract from the overall experience. While the acting is generally solid, the supernatural aspect of the series and the editing issues make it difficult to fully engage with the story.