The heat is on as Kings of Joburg returns for its highly anticipated third season, which premiered on Friday, 13 June. This season brings more danger, deeper emotions, and powerful performances as the Masire family fights to stay on top of Johannesburg’s criminal underworld.
Season 3 raises the stakes in every way — with new characters, expanded locations, and supernatural twists that push the family to their limits. The Masire empire is now under threat from a deadly curse, rising betrayal, and enemies from across the country. But through it all, one thing remains strong — the unbreakable bond of family.
Thembi Seete, who plays Keneilwe Masire, says she’s most excited about the way the story connects Joburg and Cape Town, bringing in actors from around the world.
“I’m really excited to see both worlds come together — Joburg and Cape Town — as well as the collaboration of incredible actors from different parts of the world,” Seete told The Citizen. “When I first read the script, I thought, ‘Oh, we have a good story,’ and with the other characters’ worlds and how the story played out, I was really excited for them.”
Season three digs deeper into the magical and criminal world that fans have come to love, while also showcasing the brilliance of South African production. Zolisa Xaluva, who plays Mo Masire, says viewers are in for a visual and emotional treat.
“It’s a strong, clear story — dynamic, constantly evolving. From a visual point of view, we would say it’s a heightened, cinematic offering — far superior to anything we have done so far,” Xaluva explained. “We had two directors of photography, one shooting in Joburg and the other in Cape Town. It’s an exhibition of South African technical brilliance.”
For Sindi Mahlangu, who returns as Phumzi, the best part was watching so many talented actors from different countries come together.
“We’ve got a lot of actors coming together from different countries to tell one story, and that’s also very exciting. We don’t get a lot of those here, so I feel like for me, it was good to see everyone unite to tell this beautiful story.”
But it’s not just the setting and story that have evolved — the characters have too. Seete said her character Keneilwe, who once fought her way through every problem, now leads with wisdom and care.
“This season, you see her heart and her commitment to saving her family. She’s a mother, a voice of reason — someone who’ll do anything to protect her family,” Seete said. “In the first and second seasons, it was more about fighting, but now we see her saying, ‘Please, let’s not do this. Let’s solve this. Let’s rather go about it this way.’”
Xaluva also shared how Mo’s journey becomes more intense as he escapes prison, travels from Joburg to Cape Town, and tries to eliminate a powerful enemy.
“Mo has always been an open book. What you see is what you get. But this time, he just goes through a more intensified journey. He’s in prison, breaks out to save his family, and travels… to hide out and try to eliminate this big enemy from Cape Town.”
For Mahlangu’s Phumzi, motherhood changes everything. “Phumzi this season is a mother. And once you become a mother, there’s a lot that shifts,” she said. “Your child’s well-being becomes the centre of it all. So she’s changed — she’s basically trying to figure out a life that best suits her child and is doing everything she can to make sure that her child is protected.”
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