Meet Pearl Thusi
Pearl Thusi, a name that shines brightly in the constellation of South Africa’s entertainment elite, stands as a dynamic force whose journey from the townships of KwaZulu-Natal to the global stages of Netflix and Hollywood embodies resilience, versatility, and unapologetic ambition.
Born Sithembile Xola Thusi on May 13, 1988, this actress, model, presenter, and entrepreneur captivated audiences with her breakout role in Quantico and as the lead in Queen Sono, Netflix’s first African original series, while building a business empire with ventures like Black Pearl haircare and Black Rose Gin.
At 37, her path, marked by pageant triumphs, international acclaim, and personal challenges like childhood trauma and public feuds, reflects a potent blend of talent, tenacity, and cultural influence, positioning her as a trailblazing icon in African media as of June 3, 2025.
This Pearl Thusi’s biography explores the vibrant rise of a woman whose charisma and hustle have redefined South African stardom, offering a lens into the interplay of personal grit, professional excellence, and social advocacy that fuels her legacy.
From her early days winning Miss KwaZulu-Natal to starring alongside Priyanka Chopra and launching a MAC Cosmetics collaboration, Pearl Thusi’s career is a saga of groundbreaking milestones tempered by controversies, including her feud with Bonang Matheba and xenophobia backlash.
Her personal life, shaped by motherhood, strained family ties, and a quest for privacy amid rumored romances, adds depth to a figure whose influence spans continents.
What follows is an in-depth exploration of her early years, pre-prominence hustle, stellar career, major achievements, personal life, and the evolving legacy of a star whose radiant presence, from Durban’s townships to global screens, continues to illuminate African entertainment, one bold venture at a time.
Pearl Thusi’s Wikidata
| Name | Sithembile Xola Pearl Thusi |
| Date of Birth | May 13, 1988 |
| Age | 37 years old |
| Place of Birth | KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (KwaNdengezi/Hammarsdale) |
| Occupation | Actress, Model, Television Presenter, Entrepreneur (Black Pearl haircare, Black Rose Gin, Ayana Africa) |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $1.8 million to $2 million USD |
| Source | Bsgistnews.com |
Thusi’s Early Life and Education
Sithembile Xola Pearl Thusi, born on May 13, 1988, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, grew up in the townships of KwaNdengezi and Hammarsdale, just outside Durban.
Her name, Sithembile, meaning “we hope” in isiZulu, reflected her parents’ longing for a male child before her birth.
The eldest of three daughters born to Bhekizizwe Thusi and her late mother, she has two younger sisters, Prunella and Pamela, and four older half-siblings.
Her childhood was marked by challenges, including her father’s alleged abuse of her mother, which she witnessed, and teasing from peers about her lighter skin, a trait she attributes to a recessive gene from mixed-race ancestors five generations back.
Her mother’s death in 2004, when Pearl Thusi was 16, forced her to take on maternal responsibilities for her sisters, a burden she later described as overwhelming.
Pearl Thusi attended Pinetown Girls’ High School, where she excelled in pageants, sparking her entertainment ambitions.
After matriculating, she enrolled at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg to pursue a B.A. in Dramatic Arts but dropped out in her second year after becoming pregnant with her first daughter.
She later resumed studies at the University of South Africa (UNISA), earning a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Science by 2020.
She also completed a Start-up Venture Course at Wits Business School, reflecting her entrepreneurial drive.
Her educational path, interrupted by career and motherhood, underscores her determination to balance personal growth with professional success.
Pearl Thusi’s Career Before Prominence
Pearl Thusi’s career began in her teens with modeling, competing in pageants in KwaNdengezi.
At 15, she won first runner-up at the 2003 Miss South Africa Teen pageant and claimed the Miss KwaZulu-Natal title in 2005.
These early successes led to modeling contracts with major brands, appearing in advertisements and gracing covers of magazines like True Love, Bona, Cosmopolitan, and Elle.
Her transition to television came in 2006 when she debuted as a presenter on SABC 3’s youth show iCrew, gaining visibility in Durban’s media scene.
While studying at Wits, she continued modeling and landed minor acting roles, balancing academics and work.
In 2009, Pearl Thusi secured her first major acting role as Patricia Kopong in the BBC/HBO comedy-drama The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, starring alongside Jill Scott.
This international exposure marked a turning point, followed by roles in South African TV shows like Family Bonds (2009) and Isidingo (2010), where she played Palesa Motaung.
Between 2011 and 2016, she hosted SABC 1’s music program Live Amp and briefly appeared on Real Goboza, establishing herself as a dynamic presenter.
Her early career, rooted in local media, laid the groundwork for her international breakthrough.
Prominent Career
Thusi’s rise to prominence accelerated with her international roles and entrepreneurial ventures.
In 2015, she co-starred as Dr. Nandi Montabu in Tremors 5: Bloodlines and launched her haircare line, Black Pearl, in collaboration with AfroBotanics, capitalizing on her signature afro.
The brand’s success continued into 2019, with products like conditioners gaining popularity.
In 2016, she landed a series regular role as Dayana Mampasi, a Zimbabwean Harvard Law graduate, in the second season of ABC’s thriller Quantico, starring alongside Priyanka Chopra, earning global recognition.
That same year, Pearl Thusi hosted Lip Sync Battle Africa on MTV and e.tv, showcasing her versatility.
Her film career flourished with roles in Catching Feelings (2018), a Netflix-streamed romantic comedy with Kagiso Lediga, and Kalushi: The Story of Solomon Mahlangu (2017), earning a Best Actress nomination at the Rapid Lion Film Festival.
She played warrior princess Tala in The Scorpion King: Book of Souls (2018) and appeared in Bulletproof 2 (2020). In 2018, she hosted MTV Base’s Behind the Story, interviewing African celebrities.
Her most significant role came in 2020 as the lead in Queen Sono, Netflix’s first African original series, where she played a South African spy.
The series received critical acclaim, though its second season was canceled due to COVID-19 production challenges.
In 2021, Pearl Thusi starred as Zama Zulu in Netflix’s Fistful of Vengeance, a Wu Assassins spin-off, and became the first African collaborator with MAC Cosmetics, releasing two limited-edition makeup kits in 2020.
She co-owns Ayana Africa, a modeling agency, and holds a stake in Black Rose Gin, diversifying her portfolio.
As of June 3, 2025, she remains active in acting, hosting, and brand endorsements, with a robust social media presence (over 5 million Instagram followers, @pearlthusi) amplifying her influence.
Thusi’s Major Achievements
Thusi’s achievements span entertainment and business. She won Miss KwaZulu-Natal (2005) and was first runner-up at Miss SA Teen (2003).
Thusi’s acting accolades include nominations for Best Actress at the SAFTAs for Zone 14 (2012), Best Actress at the Rapid Lion Film Festival for Kalushi (2017), and YOU Spectacular’s Most Stylish Female Celebrity.
She was voted Coolest Female Celebrity at the 2015 Sunday Times Generation Next Awards and named Fag Hag of the Year by the Feather Awards.
Her role in Queen Sono marked a historic milestone as Netflix’s first African original, earning critical praise.
Her business ventures, Black Pearl hair care, Ayana Africa, and Black Rose Gin, highlight her entrepreneurial success, while her MAC Cosmetics collaboration set a precedent for African influencers in global beauty.
Personal Life
Pearl Thusi is a mother to two daughters: Thandolwethu Mokoena, born in 2008 with ex-partner Walter Mokoena, a South African sports anchor, and Okuhlekonke Thusi, adopted from Ghana in 2021.
Her relationship with Mokoena was on-and-off, ending before he married Nosizwe Vuso.
She dated sports journalist Robert Marawa from 2016 to 2017, with Marawa confirming their amicable split.
Other rumored relationships include rapper Da L.E.S., businessman Quinton Jones, NBA star Serge Ibaka, and rapper Anatii (2022).
In 2021, reports suggested an engagement to Australian businessman Shaun Bonétt, CEO of Precision Group, after his name appeared in adoption court papers, but as of June 2025, Pearl Thusi has not confirmed a marriage or current partner, maintaining privacy.
Her close friendships with DJ Zinhle, Moozlie, Cassper Nyovest, and Somizi Mhlongo are well-documented, though her feud with Bonang Matheba, fueled by mutual tensions since 2016, persists.
Pearl Thusi’s advocacy against xenophobia has drawn backlash, with some South Africans criticizing her support for Nigerian figures like Wizkid over local artists like Black Coffee.
Her relationship with her father, Bhekizizwe, was strained due to his abuse of her mother but reconciled before his death in 2020, a loss she mourned publicly.
Her 2020 social media hiatus during lockdown sparked concern, but she resumed posting, sharing her vacations, daughters, and activism.
Legacy and Impact
At 37, as of June 3, 2025, Pearl Thusi’s net worth is estimated at $1.8 million to $2 million USD (approximately R27 million to R30 million), derived from acting, hosting, endorsements, and businesses, though figures vary across sources.
Her legacy is one of trailblazing versatility and resilience, as noted by The South African (2023), with her roles in Quantico and Queen Sono elevating South African talent globally, per @PhilMphela on X.
Her modeling and haircare ventures have empowered African beauty standards, while her advocacy for women’s rights and anti-xenophobia campaigns reflects social impact, despite polarizing some X users over her comments on Nigerian artists.
Critics highlight her rocky personal life and public feuds, with ZAlebs (2019) noting her spotlight-seeking persona, yet her intelligence and work ethic, praised by Briefly.co.za (2020), underpin her success.
Her ability to navigate childhood trauma, motherhood, and a competitive industry resonates with fans, as seen in her heartfelt Instagram tributes to her late parents.
As she balances acting, business, and studies, Pearl Thusi’s journey, from Durban’s townships to Hollywood’s screens, stands as an inspiration of ambition and authenticity, her signature afro and fearless voice shaping South Africa’s entertainment landscape, one bold role at a time.
Conclusion
Pearl Thusi’s diverse journey through the dynamic landscape of South African and global entertainment stands as a compelling testament to resilience, versatility, and an unyielding drive to redefine African stardom, a narrative that arcs from the challenging townships of KwaNdengezi and Hammarsdale to the dazzling heights of Netflix’s Queen Sono and international brand collaborations.
Born Sithembile Xola Thusi on May 13, 1988, this actress, model, presenter, and entrepreneur transformed her early pageant successes and modeling career into a trailblazing presence in Hollywood, starring alongside Priyanka Chopra in Quantico and launching ventures like Black Pearl haircare and Black Rose Gin.
At 37, with a net worth estimated between $1.8 million and $2 million as of June 3, 2025, her legacy, woven with groundbreaking roles, advocacy for women’s rights, and personal trials like childhood trauma and public feuds, embodies the complexities of a cultural icon whose influence inspires and polarizes in equal measure.
Her legacy is a rich tapestry of pioneering achievements and nuanced controversies.
Pearl Thusi’s historic role in Queen Sono, Netflix’s first African original, and her MAC Cosmetics collaboration, the first for an African influencer, elevated South African talent globally, earning praise from X voices like @PhilMphela for her industry impact.
Her modeling accolades, including Miss KwaZulu-Natal 2005, and nominations for Best Actress at the SAFTAs and Rapid Lion Film Festival underscore her artistic prowess, while her businesses empower African beauty and entrepreneurship.
Yet, her public feuds, notably with Bonang Matheba, and backlash over xenophobia comments, supporting Nigerian artists like Wizkid, have sparked criticism, with some X users questioning her priorities, as noted in ZAlebs (2019).
Her advocacy against xenophobia and for gender equality, however, reflects a commitment to social change, balancing her glamorous persona with purpose.
On a personal level, Pearl Thusi remains a devoted mother to daughters Thandolwethu and Okuhlekonke, navigating single parenthood after high-profile relationships with Walter Mokoena and Robert Marawa, while guarding her privacy amid rumors of an engagement to Shaun Bonétt.
Her reconciliation with her late father, Bhekizizwe, and public mourning of her parents reveal a vulnerability that endears her to fans, shared through heartfelt Instagram posts (@pearlthusi) with over 5 million followers.
As of June, 2025, Pearl Thusi stands at a pivotal juncture, balancing acting, hosting, and business ventures while pursuing further education, her influence poised to grow as she navigates South Africa’s evolving media landscape.
Whether history will remember her as a groundbreaking actress who shattered glass ceilings or a controversial figure in celebrity culture, her impact, from KwaZulu-Natal’s townships to global red carpets, is indelible, a legacy of radiance, ambition, and authenticity that continues to shape African entertainment, one bold step at a time.
FAQs
Q. Who is Pearl Thusi?
Pearl Thusi, born Sithembile Xola Pearl Thusi on May 13, 1988, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is an actress, model, television presenter, and entrepreneur. Known for her roles in Quantico and Netflix’s Queen Sono, she owns Black Pearl haircare, co-owns Ayana Africa modeling agency, and has a stake in Black Rose Gin.
Q. What are Pearl Thusi’s major acting achievements?
She gained international fame as Dayana Mampasi in ABC’s Quantico (2016) and starred as the lead in Queen Sono (2020), Netflix’s first African original series. Her film roles include Catching Feelings (2018) and Kalushi (2017), earning a Best Actress nomination at the Rapid Lion Film Festival, with earlier roles in The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency (2009).
Q. What is Pearl Thusi’s net worth?
As of June 3, 2025, her net worth is estimated at $1.8 million to $2 million USD (approximately R27 million to R30 million), derived from acting, hosting, endorsements, and businesses like Black Pearl haircare and Black Rose Gin, though exact figures are unverified.
Q. What controversies has Pearl Thusi been involved in?
Thusi has faced public scrutiny for her feud with Bonang Matheba since 2016, fueled by mutual tensions, and backlash for supporting Nigerian artists like Wizkid over South African ones, prompting xenophobia accusations. Her rumored relationships, including with Quinton Jones and Shaun Bonétt, have also drawn media attention, per ZAlebs (2019).
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