Fashion
Who Runs the Fashion Game? Bonang Matheba or Pearl Thusi?
South African fashion has its icons. And then it has Bonang Matheba and Pearl Thusi, women who don’t just wear clothes, rather they shape conversation, ignite trends, and walk into a room like the moment belongs to them. These aren’t just celebrities with good taste. They’re fully-fledged style personalities, each commanding their own lane, and fiercely so.
But if we’re asking who really runs the fashion game? That’s a loaded question. The answer depends on what you’re looking for in a fashion queen. And more importantly, whose style speaks to you. So let’s unpack their style.
Bonang Matheba: Clean. Commanding. Consistent.
Bonang Matheba
When Bonang shows up, she looks like she’s dressed for the boardroom and the red carpet at the same time. Her style is unmistakably refined. She leans into structure: coats that know their shape, gowns that understand drama without noise, heels that mean business.
Bonang’s fashion is rarely chaotic. She doesn’t do too much. In fact, her power lies in the way she edits. It’s always the right dress, the right shoe, the right bag. Not one extra thing out of place. And that kind of quiet confidence? That’s what makes her unforgettable.
Over the years, we’ve seen her go from pageant-style gowns to designer power suits and custom evening looks that would hold their own in Paris or Milan. Her taste has matured, and she’s embraced her own fashion identity. Think muted tones. Rich fabrics. Timeless shapes. Bonang doesn’t chase trends, she commits to taste, and it shows.
Bonang Matheba
Pearl Thusi: Wild. Bold. Unapologetic.
Pearl Thusi
Pearl, on the other hand, brings fire. Not the burn-everything-down kind, the spark, the heat, the unpredictable glow. Her style is emotional. Some days she’s glam. Other days she’s in a corset, cargo pants and combat boots, serving energy that says, “I don’t follow rules, I bend them to fit me.”
There’s a rugged softness to how Pearl dresses. She’ll wear a dramatic gown with an afro puff. She’ll show up in streetwear and still make it fashion. She mixes elegance with toughness, often in the same look, and it works because it’s real. She dresses like she’s telling a story. And no two chapters look the same.
What makes Pearl stand out is her fearlessness. She takes risks, some hits, some misses, but you never get the sense that she’s dressing for applause. She dresses like someone who knows herself, and isn’t afraid to change lanes when the mood shifts.
Pearl Thusi
Same Game, Different Plays
Bonang and Pearl couldn’t be more different in how they express style. But they have one thing in common, they both understand that fashion is more than clothes. It’s how you carry yourself. It’s the attitude. Energy. Presence.
Bonang is the woman you call when the dress code says “excellence only.”
Pearl is the one who rewrites the dress code entirely, and still gets a standing ovation.
Let’s take you back a bit to the time when they both almost gave us all a heart attack from heavy fashion.
Let’s start with Pearl Thusi, aka Mama Panther, aka the woman who can give you soft glam one day and full-on high-fashion villain the next. In this particular look, Pearl stepped out like a character straight out of a billion-dollar heist film, the lead, of course. She’s dressed in a glossy crocodile-textured two-piece set in a shade of green that doesn’t whisper “luxury” it screams it. Not emerald, not lime, not neon. Money-green. The kind of green that tells you, I don’t chase, I attract.
She layered it with a dramatic fur coat casually draped over her arms like it’s just another Tuesday, then topped it off with fierce stilettos, bold sunglasses, and the kind of confidence you simply can’t borrow. Standing in front of a matching luxury sports car, it’s clear this look was no longer outfit alone but power play.
Pearl Thusi
Now, enter Bonang Matheba, the woman who’s been eating up red carpets. There’s something about Bonang that says she doesn’t just dress for the occasion, she is the occasion.
In this maroon moment, she gave us head-to-toe luxury without a single word. Wearing a sculpted leather mini dress and a matching oversized trench, both in that deep, wine-red Gucci croc texture. Bonang made minimalism feel expensive. The monochrome pairing, the pointed heels, the compact handbag in the exact same tone, this was precision styling. She didn’t over-accessorize. She didn’t need to. With her sleek hair, gold earrings, and black sunglasses, she looked like the boss lady who owns the building, not just someone attending the event.
Bonang Matheba
So Who Really Runs It?
It depends. Are you drawn to elegance that’s been fine-tuned and perfected over years? Or does the wild beauty of unpredictability pull you in?
If you value consistency, clean lines, and couture clarity, you’ll probably say Bonang.
If you live for spontaneity, statement dressing, and fearless flair, your vote might go to Pearl.
But here’s the truth: South African fashion needs both. It thrives because of both. And maybe, just maybe, the real flex is that they’ve never tried to be each other.
Read Also: Bonang Matheba Embraces a New Age with Style and Gratitude
Mihlali recently shared a set of new photos on Instagram, captioned “Turning every doubt into diamonds.” The post isn’t seeking reactions, it’s deliberate and confident. Every element in the picture is intentional, making the images immediately captivating.
The red gown she wore is the centerpiece. With asymmetrical straps, curved paneling, and a carefully placed cutout, it’s a design that demands precision from both the wearer and the designer. On her, the dress sits perfectly, structured, clean, and striking. The slit adds natural flow, while the fabric falls smoothly, creating a composed and refined look.
Mihlali – Instagram
Her accessories enhance the outfit instead of drawing attention away from it. The gold mini-bag and strappy heels add just the right contrast, while the understated jewelry keeps the focus on the dress’s intricate details.
Hair and makeup maintain the same clarity. Her pulled-back hairstyle highlights her features, and the red lip completes the overall look. The styling feels natural and balanced, reflecting someone who understands what suits her and applies it with confidence.
Mihlali – Instagram
Mihlali has built her career on thoughtful presentation. From beauty tutorials to lifestyle content, she has become a reference point for creators across South Africa. These photos reaffirm her ability to create a memorable fashion moment without extra embellishment.
The post succeeds because of its simplicity and focus. There’s no clutter, no distractions, just a bold, considered outfit and a caption that complements it. For South African fashion enthusiasts, this is a moment that demonstrates style, assurance, and mastery over presentation.
Mihlali Ndlovu on Instagram was seen wearing a cream mini dress from Fashion Nova. The post came with the caption, “Trusting the Divine plan.” It carried a feeling that has become familiar in her usual fashion content. The mock neck dress in a soft cream style highlights her preference for clean and sleek silhouettes. The outfit is well-tailored, and she wore it with so much confidence.
Instagram: Mihlali Ndlovu
This moment was special because the outfit is more than a styling choice. The Instagram post reflects her present emotional and professional feeling. Mihlali often comes up with short captions to hint at her mindset. It feels like she is leaning into a season where she is trusting her path and moving with intention.
Her choice of a cream mini dress also shows how she continues to widen her style range. She is known for strong editorial looks, high glam moments and bold evening wear. A soft cream mini is more relaxed and easier for her audience to recreate, yet still good enough to maintain the standard associated with her brand. That balance between accessible and refined styling is one of the reasons she remains an influential figure in the South African digital fashion space.
Instagram : Mihlali Ndlovu
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Mihlali is consistent in how she tells her story through visuals. Every element, from the structure of the dress to the neat makeup and well placed hair, works together. Even when a post feels natural and easygoing, it is usually thought out in a way that aligns with her personal brand. The cream mini dress post follows that pattern. It does not try to draw attention through drama or heavy styling. Instead, it presents a calm and steady energy that suits her current tone.
Her fashion posts often spark wider conversations about her personal evolution, appearance and career direction. People regularly discuss the changes they notice in her content, whether it is her beauty choices or the shift in her overall presentation. She rarely responds to these discussions directly. Instead, she continues shaping her narrative through intentional visuals and carefully chosen words.
Instagram : Mihlali Ndlovu
The post received huge engagements which shows how invested her audience are in her style and personality. Many followers see her as a reference point for fashion and beauty. Even a simple outfit becomes a talking point because of how she is viewed.
Mihlali’s cream mini dress moment is subtle, confident and aligned with her current message. The combination of the outfit, the mood and the caption presents a young woman who knows her direction and is trusting what lies ahead.
Nqobile Khwezi didn’t need fanfare or a long caption to make an impression during her latest style moment. Her Instagram post simply read: “The icing on the cake, the cherry on the top.” And it fit perfectly; the outfit communicated everything on its own.
The dress, a short structured mini with sheer sleeves in soft blended tones of rose, amber, and violet, had a presence that commands attention without demanding it. It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t competing. It was confident, the kind of self-assurance that comes from knowing what suits you best.
Nqobile Khwezi – Instagram
The bodice was precise, the waist defined naturally. The skirt moved with ease, not stiffness. The sleeves introduced just the right touch of flair without going over the top.
She paired the look with a muted Louis Vuitton Capucines, a choice that complements rather than overwhelms. Nude ankle-strap heels maintained clean lines, and accessories were minimal.
Nqobile Khwezi – Instagram
But what makes this ensemble truly stand out is not just the styling, though it was deliberate, but her quiet confidence that resonates. There’s no effort to impress.
This is where many digital style figures falter: clarity of vision. Khwezi’s style is distinctive yet approachable. Feminine, composed, lightly romantic, and never costume-like. Every element, hair, shoes, jewellery, aligns effortlessly.
Nqobile Khwezi – Instagram
Outfits can feel overthought, but this one doesn’t. It reads as carefully considered rather than constructed for effect.
Her brief caption served as the perfect punctuation, a subtle note to a moment fully enjoyed. A look that feels earned, not rushed.
No declarations. No proving.
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