JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Popular South African actor and filmmaker Shona Ferguson has died aged 47, a family spokesman announced.

The Botswana-born creator and star of the hit Dstv show, The Queen, died at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg on Friday, according to Conrad Mwanza, a representative from the Ferguson Foundation.

Mwanza said Ferguson died from Covid-19 related complications.

“I sadly can confirm that Shona passed away at around midday today. It’s devastating news for everyone who knew him, particularly his wife Connie and the family. The family has requested privacy to mourn,” Mwanza told ZimLive.

Born in Gaborone, Botswana, on April 30, 1974, Ferguson moved to South Africa and took up acting in 1992.

He has featured in more than a dozen TV shows and movies, including the series Generations, Muvhango, The Wild, Isidingo, The Need and Scandal.

He married actress Constance ‘Connie’ Masilo in 2001. Together, they founded Ferguson Films whose first TV production was the soapie, Rockville.

Their most popular production has been The Queen, in which the couple were starring.

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

The Fergusons have a daughter together, Alicia.

Power couple … The late Shona Ferguson and his widow, Connie