Pearl Thusi's daughter opens up about her journey of self-discovery and pansexuality

Thando Mokoena, the daughter of renowned actress and presenter Pearl Thusi and former SABC sports presenter Walter Mokoena, has taken a bold step by publicly confirming her identity as a pansexual woman. This candid declaration comes amidst swirling speculation about her sexuality, fuelled by her previous social media post featuring an LGBT hashtag.

For those unfamiliar, pansexuality refers to the sexual or romantic attraction to individuals irrespective of their sex or gender identity. This inclusivity speaks volumes to a generation increasingly keen to explore various facets of identity.

In a heartfelt video shared by content creator @1xrayk, Mokoena detailed her journey of self-discovery. “I now know that I am a pansexual woman,” she boldly stated, opening a discussion that is vital for many young people grappling with their sexual identities.

Encouraging others to delve into their own feelings, she emphasised the importance of exploration in understanding oneself. “Everyone, well, who's within their right and is curious, should experience experimentation with the same sex or same gender. I feel like it's a way of discovering yourself,” Mokoena said, reflecting the expansive journey many face in self-acceptance.

Delving into her personal experiences, Mokoena revealed that her curiosity towards the same sex ignited at just 12 years old. “I didn't experiment at this age, but I did kind of like become curious at the age of like, 12. I was like, 'okay, like there's clearly some attraction',” she recalled, noting how age and experience eventually led her to confirm her identity. “I have indeed [experimented] and I now know that I am a pansexual woman, so that experimentation helped me figure out more about myself.”

When playfully asked about her attractions to women, Mokoena confidently responded, “Oh, the baddest!” showcasing a light-hearted yet assertive approach to her identity.

The reaction from social media users has been mixed; while many applaud her bravery and openness, others express concern over the implications of her call for experimentation. User @zar_afrika commented, “I don't think you have to experiment with anything to know yourself ... You just know who you are, there's nothing to discover.” Meanwhile, @keamonee cautioned against the dangers posed to youth, stating, “After that, it's experiments with drugs, then mental illness and then suicidal thoughts!!”. Such responses reveal the ongoing tension within discussions on sexual identity and the generational divide in perceptions surrounding the exploration of one's sexuality.

In another candid segment of the video, Mokoena addressed an issue that resonates with many young individuals today: the prevalence of large egos. She remarked, “It irks me when people have really huge egos ... Like bro, come down to Earth chief, we are all down here, come down with us. We are all humans, you are not better than anyone else... that really rubs me the wrong type of way.” This insightful reflection underscores her desire for humility and connection in a world often rife with competitive ego clashes.