Netflix’s latest South African hit, The Polygamist, is making waves across the continent. The 22-episode series arrived on 12 June 2026 and quickly shot to the top of the charts. While viewers are hooked on the soapy drama, a specific theory is trending on social media.
Fans are claiming that the lead character, Jonasi Gomora, was deliberately styled to mirror Baltasar Ebang Engonga. Mr Engonga is a real-life figure from Equatorial Guinea who became famous online for numerous leaked videos.
A Viral Comparison
Fans have noticed a striking similarity between the fictional CEO and Mr Engonga. On X (formerly Twitter), user @Symply_rhoda1 asked what the two men have in common, noting that she couldn't be the only one seeing the similarities.
Deliberate Style or Coincidence?
The debate over whether the resemblance is intentional is heating up. Some fans believe the show took direct inspiration from the real-world scandal. User @fortunateozuyak suggested the "movie inspiration was gotten from him" because they "played the same role."
However, the series is an adaptation of a 2012 novel by Sue Nyathi. This book was written over a decade before the recent viral news regarding Mr Engonga. Some viewers, like @Hkamilu1, admit the "resemblance in charisma, controversy, and storyline is hard to ignore" but suggest it might just be a "creative coincidence."
“I thought it was just acting until I remembered the legend Baltasar Engonga, such a man exists!” — @SebothomaSolo.
The Man at the Centre
The show follows the life and eventual death of Jonasi Gomora. He is a wealthy and charismatic CEO who appears to have a perfect life. However, his funeral reveals a web of lies and secret relationships. He leaves behind a wife, a second wife, a mistress, and a girlfriend.
Actor Sdumo Mtshali plays the lead role. Many viewers describe his portrayal as both believable and infuriating. The character has sparked such strong feelings that some fans have posted about "rebuking the spirit of Jonasi Gomora" in their own lives.
Beyond the comparisons, the show is sparking deep conversations about patriarchy and the emotional cost of double lives. It is Netflix’s first South African supernovela. It mixes high-end production with uncomfortable truths about family chaos.
Whether or not the styling was intentional, the character of Jonasi Gomora has captured global attention. The series continues to trend days after its release as viewers continue to debate the flaws of its leading man.
