Culture Craze
Pearl Thusi’s DJ Set Splits Mzansi: Reinvention, Reactions, and the Sound of Change
South Africa is once again talking about Pearl Thusi, not for her acting or presenting, but for her turn behind the decks. A recent video of her DJ set from 5 October 2025 has ignited a wave of debate online, turning what might have been a routine club night into a national talking point.
The clip, shared widely across social media, showed the media personality and actress performing at a local venue. What followed was a flood of mixed reactions: part applause, part criticism, and plenty of memes in between.
When Glamour Meets Scrutiny
Thusi’s venture into DJing isn’t new, but it remains controversial. Some fans praised her confidence and stage presence, saying she brought charisma and fun energy to the scene. Others weren’t as kind, accusing her of being “out of her depth” or “pretending to mix.”
A few even revisited her earlier performances, including one at the 2024 Friends of Amstel event, arguing that her sets haven’t shown much growth. But supporters countered that progress takes time and courage, especially when it happens under a microscope.
Why the Criticism Feels Different
For many South Africans, this backlash feels familiar. Female celebrities who cross into male-dominated spaces, especially in music, often face harsher judgement than their peers. The DJ industry has long been seen as a technical craft where women are still fighting for credibility.
Pearl’s fame adds another layer. As a household name, every move she makes carries extra weight, every misstep is magnified, and every success is second-guessed. Some critics even went as far as to reference her age, calling for her to “leave it to the young ones,” a sentiment that reflects lingering ageism and sexism in the industry.
Yet others see something refreshing in her reinvention. One social media user wrote that they respected her for “not staying in one lane,” while another said her determination “inspires others to try new things, even when the crowd boos.”
Pearl Thusi on decks.. pic.twitter.com/rrOLgJXf8Y
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) October 5, 2025
Reinvention Takes Nerve
Pearl Thusi’s story isn’t just about DJing; it’s about risk. She has built her career on visibility, and now she’s using that platform to explore something new. Each performance, whether praised or panned, is a step in public evolution.
Mzansi’s entertainment scene can be both supportive and brutal, especially online. But Pearl’s willingness to fail publicly and keep going says more about creative courage than the beats she played that night.
The Bigger Picture
In the end, the debate around Pearl Thusi’s DJ set reveals less about her technical ability and more about how South Africa views celebrity transformation. Our culture loves reinvention stories but struggles to watch them unfold in real time.
Maybe this isn’t about whether she “killed the set” or not. Maybe it’s about how we treat public figures when they step outside their comfort zones. If anything, Pearl’s latest performance got the nation talking, and that’s its own kind of headline act.
Also read: Why South Africa Will Not Compete at Miss Universe 2025
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Source: Bona Magazine
Featured Image: African Insider
