By: Natasha Archary

Pearl Thusi is unapologetic about her recent trip to Zimbabwe, which has the actress at the receiving end of backlash for her “tone deaf” political stance.
The South African actress, along with other local celebrities, Sonia Mbele and Sello Maake kaNcube, were pictured with Zimbabwean President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, all with scarves in patriotic Zim colours.
Pearl and her celebrity friends were lambasted on social media for their support of Mnangagwa, who has been accused of ruling his country in a draconian dictatorship-style, that would have rivalled his predecessor, Robert Mugabe.
Just last month, Mnangagwa signed a law that prohibits Zimbabwean citizens from criticizing their government.
This comes ahead of Zimbabwe’s National elections which are set to take place on 23 August.
The South African celebrities’ visit to Zim has been dubbed nothing short of a “cheap political ploy” to try to sway the public’s votes to Mnangagwa on voting day.
We welcome South African actress, model, and presenter Pearl Thusi to Zimbabwe as part of the “THE TRUE ZIMBABWE TOUR”.#TrueZimTour pic.twitter.com/e03baUGfxW
— Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana) August 8, 2023
Due to mass public uproar over her “tone deaf” trip to Zimbabwe, Pearl Thusi spoke out against the heat that’s directed at her, saying she was just there for a “good time”, and doesn’t regret a thing about her time in the country.
Taking to her Instagram Live, Pearl addressed the backlash she’s received saying, “For those who made it look like a political trip, those people are the ones who punished the three of us.
We were told we going there for good times and tourism.
I had a good time and I don’t have any regrets whatsoever.
I don’t regret a thing, so all the best to you guys. Yes, I had a scarf. What was I supposed to do? The President gave me a scarf, I took the scarf.
Also, point me to a country where everyone is happy, where everyone is pleased with the leadership.”
Pearl Thusi is unapologetic about her trip to Zimbabwe
Pearl appears to be feeling the heat more than her counterparts, Mbele and Maake kaNcube however, and she feels it’s because she’s an easy target.
“I’ll be back in Zimbabwe, it’s a beautiful country.
Why is Sello not trending? Why is Sonia not trending? Why are you guys coming for me only? ‘Cause you think I’m an easy target?”
The Queen Sono actress said she wasn’t even aware about Zimbabwe’s pending elections, and only went on the trip to visit the tourist attraction, Victoria Falls.
TimesLive reports that Sonia commented about having business ventures across Africa, and said she will continue doing that, without getting involved in the political side of things.
Meanwhile, Maake kaNcube has not addressed the backlash.
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