Today is not Pearl Thusi Day – Ntsiki Mazwai

Poet Ntsiki Mazwai has lashed out at people who have declared Monday Pearl Thusi Day and not Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Day. In a series of tweets, Mazwai said Madikizela-Mandela’s struggle was not getting enough recognition, expressing disappointment because the hashtag had not made it to the top of the trends list on Twitter.

Tweeps on Monday declared the day Pearl Thusi Day, as the actor had made her debut on American series Quantico in the early hours of the morning.

“Kinda sad that this is trending instead of #WinnieMandelaDay … looks like SA really adores n feels validated by America 😢 #PearlThusiDay,” Mazwai wrote.

She said Winnie Mandela Day was bigger than Pearl Thusi Day, further wishing the struggle stalwart a happy birthday. Madikizela-Mandela turns 80 today.

The poet said it was sad that getting employed by Americans appeared to be more important to South Africans than celebrating a mother who sacrificed everything for them.

“Winnie Mandela Day is bigger than being employed by Americans guys … how come you can’t see this?”

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Some of her followers supported her stance, while others resorted to calling her jealous. But Mazwai explained she was happy for the latest member of the Quantico cast, as she had congratulated her on Sunday, but Monday belonged to Madikizela-Mandela instead. The actor had not endured three months of solitary confinement, she maintained.

“I’m not saying u cant celebrate Pearl’s new job, but I think it is sad that you wanna have a Pearl Thusi day BEFORE you have a WINNIE MANDELA DAY.

Pearl Thusi has received words of congratulations from fans, who also urged DStv to open the channel to all subscribers for the country to celebrate like they did with Trevor Noah.

Watch: A glimpse of Pearl Thusi on US series Quantico