Pearl Thusi has finally broken her silence after a trip to Zimbabwe turned into what many now call the “Tour of Shame.” The South African actress, TV host, and model found herself at the center of a political storm after being unknowingly dragged into a Zanu PF propaganda campaign. What was supposed to be a simple cultural visit ended in controversy, manipulation, and widespread backlash.
Pearl says she never imagined the trip would be politicized. “I did not know we would end up at State House and in such a politically charged situation,” she explained. Her statement confirms what many suspected — that she was blindsided and used to give legitimacy to a regime desperate for positive publicity ahead of Zimbabwe’s elections.
The trip, reportedly organized under the guise of cultural exchange, quickly morphed into a well-staged PR stunt by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration. Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa and other senior Zanu PF officials used Pearl’s presence to project an image of international support and normalcy in Zimbabwe. But the plan backfired.
The public — both in Zimbabwe and abroad — saw right through the act. What was meant to soften Zanu PF’s image turned into a PR disaster, with angry citizens accusing the ruling party of using celebrities to mask a country in crisis. Pearl, unfortunately, became the face of that failed campaign.
Despite being one of several personalities on the trip, Pearl received the harshest criticism. Some called her complicit, others accused her of endorsing a brutal regime. But her recent comments make it clear: she was not in on the plan. She was used, just like so many Zimbabweans who are manipulated daily by those in power.
Pearl’s experience is a warning to all public figures — be careful who you align with, and ask questions before getting on that plane. The line between culture and politics is thin, especially in countries where the ruling party controls the narrative and uses every opportunity to mislead the public.
This isn’t just about Pearl. It’s about a pattern in Zimbabwe where the government uses media tricks to cover up decades of failure, poverty, and repression. The “Tour of Shame” was never about cultural celebration. It was about image laundering. And this time, it didn’t work.
Pearl’s courage in speaking out now matters. She could have remained silent and let the noise fade. But she chose to speak the truth and distance herself from the regime that tried to exploit her fame. That honesty deserves recognition.
Her story is a reminder: propaganda doesn’t always win. The people are watching. They know when they’re being played. And even when the cameras are off, the truth has a way of coming out.
Pearl Thusi’s ordeal should serve as a lesson for both celebrities and citizens — in politics, nothing is ever just what it seems.