Pearl Thusi has long been a familiar face on South African screens, but she’s quietly been building another reputation as a DJ. After debuting at the Makhelwane Festival in Soweto in 2024, she’s racked up more than 125 gigs, both at home and abroad, rubbing shoulders with crowds at high‑profile events like the Spotify Cannes showcase and the NBA Africa Finals in Kigali.
Her on‑screen résumé is just as impressive. International viewers will recognise her from _Quantico_ (as Dayana Mampasi)The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency_ (Patricia Kopong), and Netflix’s groundbreaking series She also held her own in the action‑packed _Wu Assassins_ and is now starring in the Deon Cole‑led comedy _set to premiere on Paramount
Now Thusi is adding singer to her list of talents. She’s teaming up with Maskandi legend Ihhashi Elimhlophe for her first single, a bold step that blends her DJ background with traditional South African sounds. The track, titled “Sodwa,” drops on November 27 and is described as a love song that celebrates every kind of love – romantic, platonic, and everything in between. It’s a personal project, inspired by her late father and the music that shaped her childhood.
The collaboration came about through a friendship with the Ngcobo family, and Ihhashi’s contribution has already surprised industry peers like Kabza De Small. Thusi says she built a home studio over the past four years, experimenting and stripping away fear to find her voice.
With a career that already spans acting, modelling, entrepreneurship, and DJing, Pearl Thusi is proving she’s not done charting new territory. Her upcoming single signals another exciting chapter in a truly multifaceted career.