Pearl Thusi, the acclaimed South African actress, model, and presenter, has navigated a public career alongside a romantic life that has often captured media attention. While fiercely protective of her privacy, certain relationships have become part of her public narrative, marked by significant milestones and, at times, speculation. Her journey through love reflects a pattern of high-profile connections, from early partnerships that shaped her family life to highly publicized engagements.
One of Thusi's earliest and most significant public relationships was with sports news anchor Walter Mokoena. Their romance unfolded in the early 2000s, during the nascent stages of her career. The relationship resulted in the birth of her biological daughter, Thandolwethu Mokoena, in 2007. Despite their eventual separation, Pearl and Walter have maintained an amicable co-parenting relationship, prioritizing their daughter's well-being. The specifics of their breakup remain largely private, but it's understood they parted ways while Pearl was pregnant, yet continued to foster a respectful bond.
Following her relationship with Mokoena, Thusi was linked to rapper Da Les. Rumors of their romance began circulating around 2014, with reports of them attending events together and appearing openly comfortable in each other's company. However, neither Pearl Thusi nor Da Les ever publicly confirmed their relationship, leaving its true nature and duration largely unverified. This period highlighted Thusi's increasing public profile and the growing media interest in her personal life.
Another brief, rumored connection involved former American soccer player Quinton Jones. While some reports suggested a romantic involvement, Pearl Thusi publicly clarified that she considered Jones a good friend. She even reportedly approved of his engagement to fellow South African personality Minnie Dlamini in 2016, further dispelling any lingering speculation about a romantic link between them. This instance underscored Thusi's tendency to address rumors directly when they surfaced.
The most high-profile and publicly acknowledged relationship for Pearl Thusi came with veteran sports presenter Robert Marawa. Their romance became public in 2016, quickly becoming a subject of intense media scrutiny and fan interest. The couple frequently shared glimpses of their relationship on social media, appearing deeply in love and serving what many described as "relationship goals." Their connection culminated in an engagement in 2016, signaling a serious commitment between the two prominent figures. However, the engagement was short-lived. In August 2017, Robert Marawa publicly confirmed their breakup via a tweet, stating: > "I confirm the rumour & speculation that our relationship with Miss Pearl Thusi ended a few months ago. We continue 2 be good friends though." The reasons for their separation were not extensively detailed, but the public announcement brought an end to one of South Africa's most watched celebrity pairings.
In the years following her split from Robert Marawa, Pearl Thusi's romantic life became more private, though rumors continued to surface. Around 2020, reports emerged linking her to Congolese-born NBA player Serge Ibaka. While some entertainment outlets suggested they were dating, concrete evidence, such as public appearances together or official confirmations, remained scarce. This relationship, like others, largely existed in the realm of unconfirmed speculation, with Thusi maintaining discretion regarding her personal life.
A significant development in her romantic narrative came to light in 2021, not through a public announcement, but via court documents. During proceedings for the adoption of her second daughter, Okuhlekonke Thusi, Pearl revealed she was in a stable relationship with Australian businessman and philanthropist Shaun Keith Alfred Bonett. In the court papers, she stated: > "I am in a stable relationship with a loving, caring and honest man, Shaun Keith Alfred Bonett, who owns a global conglomerate of business and philanthropic foundations, and whom I am planning to marry." This revelation indicated serious intentions for marriage. However, subsequent reports noted that Bonett was reportedly still married to his wife, Vanessa Bonett, whom he wed in 2004. As of the present, there has been no public confirmation of a marriage between Pearl Thusi and Shaun Bonett, suggesting that these plans either did not materialize or remain entirely private.
More recently, in late 2022 and into 2024, Pearl Thusi has been rumored to be dating South African musician Anatii. Speculation arose after they were reportedly seen together at various events and Pearl's social media activity, including using Anatii's single cover as her Twitter profile picture, fueled the rumors. While some sources have indicated they are "currently dating," Pearl Thusi has not officially confirmed this relationship, continuing her pattern of keeping her romantic affairs away from explicit public declaration, especially after past high-profile experiences.
Throughout her career, Pearl Thusi has shown a clear preference for maintaining a degree of privacy around her romantic relationships, particularly in recent years. While she has experienced the highs of public engagements and the challenges of co-parenting, her current relationship status often remains a subject of rumor rather than confirmed fact. She continues to focus on her thriving career and her role as a mother to her two daughters, Thandolwethu and Okuhlekonke, with her romantic journey evolving with discretion and maturity.