Even after his death, filmmaker, actor, and entrepreneur Shona Ferguson still receives praise for positively touching people’s lives.
The Botswana-born thespian passed away on July 30 two years ago at the Milpark private hospital in Johannesburg.
One of the actors th
at had a long-standing relationship with the Ferguson Films and Ferguson himself, Sthembiso “SK” Khoza said the month of July was bitter-sweet for him because his birthday is in the same month as Ferguson’s death. Yes, we celebrate him, but it also still hurts. I know it’s almost two years since he passed away, it still feels like he will pop up again, but we are just grateful for dreams, prayers and knowing that he is around us at all times. Shona Ferguson to me was not my boss, my executive producer, or Ferguson Films, he was Shona Ferguson. He loved and cared about me, I say this because of how I got my job as Shaka- he called me and told me nobody else ‘nobody else can play this character but you.
SK Khoza
The actor who portrayed Shaka on The Queen said Ferguson, who died at the age of 47, did not care what the world thought about him (Khoza) but halways supported him when he had work and personal issues. He added that Ferguson was a great boss, brother, and colleague who had big dreams that always worked out.
Actress and entrepreneur, Sophie Ndaba told City Press that she remembered Ferguson for his love for his family and prayer.
“It honestly still feels like a dream that he’s gone. My fond memories and key relationship I had with my bro Mr Sho, as I called him, was prayer. I remember their wedding day, their exemplary love with Ms Cons. The love he had for family and God was so inspiring and comforting, because I could call him for advice and prayer and there was never a ‘no’ or a ‘wait or I’m busy’,” said Ndaba.She said before her husband passed on, they both fell sick at the time, but his [Covid-19] symptoms just got worse, and he struggled with breathing.
Connie who has two daughters, together with the Ferguson Foundation, which was founded before her husband’s death, declared April 30 ‘Shona Ferguson Day’.
The foundation aims to help disadvantaged youth gain entry to the the film and TV industry. It is also aimed at celebrating his life as well as what he stood for, which included community support, the alleviation of poverty, skills development and transfer, and access to resources.
Each birthday since his passing is assigned a theme, with this year’s being Love, Family, Fun and Laughter. For Ferguson’s 48th birthday last year, which was the first without him, the foundation launched a memorial garden and painted Emdeni Skills Centre, Soweto Family Care, and Emdeni Drop-In Centre.