Joburg's Bold Move: 'Untouchable' 'Jonasi' Targeted by City Authorities

The City of Johannesburg has recently launched a robust initiative to enforce its bylaws, specifically targeting illegal and noncompliant signs and billboards across the metropolitan area. This proactive crackdown, which commenced on Tuesday, June 23, saw city officials taking decisive action against several unauthorized advertisements, generating considerable public attention and even humorous commentary from those involved.

Among the notable targets was a billboard promoting the immensely popular Netflix series, "The Polygamist." This hit show, centered on the character of serial cheater Jonasi Gomora, has garnered global acclaim, appearing on Top 10 lists in more than 75 countries worldwide. The 22-episode series draws its inspiration from a book penned by Zimbabwean author Sue Nyathi and is brought to life on screen by producers Thuli Zuma and Gugu Zuma-Ncube.

City of Johannesburg officials revealed their enforcement efforts through their official X (formerly Twitter) account. Initially, action was taken against billboards belonging to two sports betting companies. Subsequently, the focus shifted to Netflix, specifically a billboard advertising "The Polygamist." This particular sign featured the show's two main characters, Joyce and Jonasi Gomora. Jonasi, portrayed by actor Sdumo Mtshali, is depicted as a practitioner of polygamy and infidelity, a character widely perceived as a villain within the series' narrative.

The city's X account leveraged the show's theme to deliver a witty message regarding the billboard's removal. The tweet read: “Much like Jonasi, this billboard thought it was completely untouchable behind a polished image. But just like the show’s plot twist, local authorities came through, the empire crumbled, and the sign was completely taken out of the picture! Safe to say, Jonasi isn’t the only one facing strict accountability in Joburg today.” The message concluded with a firm statement on continued enforcement: “We are keeping the momentum going. No exceptions, no shortcuts. If it’s illegal, it comes down!” Actor Sdumo Mtshali himself responded to the city's no-nonsense approach with amusement in the comment section.

Further details emerged about the actor behind the controversial character. Jonasi Gomora, the lead antagonist in "The Polygamist," is brought to life by the veteran 43-year-old actor Sdumo Mtshali. His extensive acting career includes roles in numerous television productions such as Isibaya, My Brother’s Keeper, iNumber Number, Marked, and Intersexions. Sue Nyathi, the author of "The Polygamist," clarified that the character of Jonasi is entirely fictional. She explained in an interview with The Herald, “I have come to realise that he is a narcissist, and I didn’t see him that way when I wrote the story. It’s only now that I understand that’s what he is — his character embodies that. He is not based on anyone.”