Johannebsurg - The cat is out of the bag – actress Pearl Thusi and sports analyst and presenter Robert Marawa are an item – but not yet engaged as fans speculated when an Instagram picture of Pearl with a ring on her finger went viral this week.
Thusi and Marawa had managed to keep their relationship under wraps since 2013, when they met at a polo event at the Inanda Club in Joburg.
A close friend of the couple said it was love from the moment their eyes met.
“They could not resist exchanging contact numbers and, subsequently, spent a lot of time calling each other until late at night.”
The friend added that the two were very serious about their relationship and it could be elevated to the next level, if everything remained the same.
“Regarding the ring, I can confirm that they are not engaged. Pearl was with a married friend when she played with her ring and took pictures which were later posted on Instagram,” said the source.
The Sunday Independent can confirm that the two were very much together at the Babyface and Toni Braxton show in Joburg this past week.
Thusi asked The Sunday Independent journalist to leave the space next to her open as it was reserved for her boyfriend.
Minutes later, Marawa arrived. They held hands and smooched like there was no tomorrow, according to our reporter.
This public display of affection put paid to their earlier denials that they were in a relationship.
Phat Joe recently said to Pearl, co-host of gossip magazine show Real Gobhoza, on air: “A long time ago, I speculated on the relationship with Pearl Thusi and Robert Marawa.
“And she’s been in denial, denying it, sort of like how AKA was denying DJ Zinhle for all this time, right.
“I’m sick of this, I’m not going to wait for Robert to send a cow to Pearl’s home before we accept and acknowledge the relationship.”
Gayton McKenzie then mentioned Pearl was in love, to which she replied: “But it’s not Robert, it’s not him… It’s not Robert. I never said it was Robert.”
Thusi, a Miss Teen SA beauty queen and one-time model, was married to TV and radio sports anchor Walter Mokoena, with whom she has a daughter. They have since divorced.
Marawa is currently in the midst of a court battle to stop his child maintenance payments being increased. He also wants access to his son from his ex, Zoe Mthiyane, a former model and aspirant singer, who is now in a relationship with The Lion King music producer Lebo “M” Morake.
Yesterday, Marawa told The Sunday Independent he and Thusi were “just good friends who enjoy each other’s company”. Thusi could not be reached for comment.
The Sunday Independent