Pearl Thusi

Sithembile Xola Pearl Thusi (born 13 May 1988) is a South African actress, model, and presenter. She is known for her roles as Patricia Kopong in the BBC/HBO comedy-drama series The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Dayana Mampasi in the ABC thriller Quantico and Samkelo in the romance film Catching Feelings. In 2020, she starred in the title role of Netflix's first African original series, Queen Sono. Early life and education Thusi is from townships of KwaNdengezi and Hammarsdale just outside Durban. She has two sisters. She attended Pinetown Girls' High School. She began her studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, but pulled out to make time for her career. In 2020, she resumed studies at the University of South Africa. Career Thusi is the host of Lip Sync Battle Africa on MTV and e.tv, as well as the talk show Moments, on EbonyLife TV. She has starred on the SABC 3 soap opera Isidingo, as Palesa Motaung, co-hosted Live Amp with DJ Warras and Luthando Shosha, and the SABC 1 celebrity gossip magazine show Real Goboza. In 2009, Thusi starred as Patricia Kopong on the BBC/HBO comedy-drama The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.