Pearl Thusi & Sello Maake kaNcube Face Backlash for Endorsing Zimbabwe’s Ruling Party
South African celebrities Pearl Thusi and Sello Maake kaNcube have ignited a firestorm of criticism from both Zimbabweans and South Africans after being pictured alongside Zimbabwe’s president, Emmerson Mnangagwa. The stars were part of a delegation that visited the country and were seen wearing Mnangagwa’s colorful scarfs as a sign of their support.
Zimbabwe’s Image-Building Efforts Spark Backlash
Zimbabwe’s recent efforts to improve its image and reputation in the region and the world have drawn criticism. As part of this initiative, the country invited a group of journalists and media personalities from select countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc to visit and experience Zimbabwe.
The group included journalists from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, and Tanzania, as well as three famous South African celebrities: TV personality Pearl Thusi, actress Sonia Mbele, and veteran actor Sello Maake Ka-Ncube.
Disappointment and Divisions Exposed on Social Media
The endorsement of the current Zimbabwean government by Pearl Thusi and Sello Maake Ka Ncube has sparked outrage among South Africans and Zimbabweans alike. Social media platforms have been flooded with criticism directed at Pearl Thusi and Sello Maake kaNcube, with many accusing them of prioritizing financial gain over principles. The backlash has shed light on the sensitive political climate in Zimbabwe and the ongoing struggles faced by its citizens.
Social media users expressed their disappointment and accused the celebrities of being unpatriotic and out of touch with reality.
Here are some of the reactions from social media;
@ISephara;
I have said this before many times: there is nothing as useless, unpatriotic, unprincipled, out of touch with reality, and greedy like South African “celebrities”
in Zim, a country with no press freedom, no political freedom & no economic freedom SA celebrities smile and laugh💔
@nd_pat55;
If Hypocrisy was a person @sellomkn would be a champion. Shame on you from today I have no respect for Sello Maake kaNcube his Wife and Pearl Thusi they are sellouts and mercenaries supporting murderous and corrupt government for money.
Nxaaa
@Noxza_dube;
A man who can take money to act a gay role on a tv show can do anything just to get paid including twerking for Zanupf with Pearl Thusi in Zimbabwe.
@SithaleKgaogelo;
Celebrities are so shameless bruh! Act like they want nothing to do with corrupt governments but they turn blind eye when it’s time for gigs. What truth will Pearl Thusi tell about Zimbabwe? Only going to read a Zanupf script, so detached from Zimbabweans on the ground