Celebrity News
Loyiso Bala Opens Up About His Longstanding Friendship With Pearl Thusi Before Fame
Loyiso Bala recently reflected on his relationship with Pearl Thusi. The account centred on a period long before either name carried public weight.
Bala’s account traces a friendship that began nearly two decades ago, long before either had settled into the roles that now define their public identities. At the time, there were no expectations attached, no audiences watching, and no reputations to protect. What existed instead was proximity, shared ambition, and the slow familiarity that comes from growing alongside someone rather than meeting them at the height of success.
Loyiso Bala – Instagram
In a message shared publicly, Bala described a bond formed well ahead of industry recognition. He referenced how life has since moved in practical directions: careers maturing, families expanding, and responsibilities shifting. The tone was casual and unsentimental, marked by lived detail instead of sentimentality. One moment he recalled was from his wedding almost 15 years ago, where Thusi caught the bouquet, a memory he recalled with lighthearted humour.
That sense of ordinariness is what gives the account its weight. Bala did not frame the friendship around milestones or achievements. Instead, he placed it within everyday moments. The emphasis was less on what they have become and more on how long they have known each other as people.
Pearl Thusi – Instagram
Their connection has also been referenced during more difficult periods. During the pandemic, public discussion around the Bala family’s living situation drew attention after reports overstated the circumstances. Bala later clarified that the narrative had been misrepresented. What remained clear, however, was that close friends were present during a disruptive period, offering support discreetly.
For Thusi, whose career continues to expand across acting, broadcasting, and music, the idea of a stable personal circle has often surfaced in her public remarks. Bala’s account aligns with that position, suggesting a relationship maintained outside professional cycles and public validation.
Photo Credit – Instagram
What makes this account notable is not longevity alone. Many public figures share long histories. What is less common is the willingness to describe those relationships without shaping them into lessons or symbols. Bala’s words do not attempt to elevate the friendship into something exceptional. They simply place it where it belongs: before the attention, before the expectations, and long before either career needed explaining.
The story captures a friendship that has lasted without the pressures of fame. It documents a connection that has remained intact not because it was visible, but because it did not need to be.
When Mpendulo Dube was evicted from Big Brother Mzansi, he described the moment as significant, particularly because he had previously failed to secure enough votes to enter the house in an earlier season.
Speaking to Independent Online (IOL) after his eviction, Dube reflected on what it meant to finally make it onto the show. “It wasn’t just my dream anymore,” he said. “Other people believed I could be on the show and wanted to see it happen.” He explained that missing out previously had been disappointing, but being voted in this time made him feel accountable to the viewers who supported him.
Mpendulo Dube – Instagram
During his time in the house, Dube served as Head of House and introduced a rule requiring each housemate to wash their own dishes. The decision was initially met with resistance. In his interview with IOL, he said, “The next day, the same people who were rebellious were washing their plates,” describing the shift he observed after enforcing the rule.
He also addressed criticism circulating on social media about comments suggesting he had referred to himself as an “A-lister.” In an interview with News24, Dube denied assigning himself that label. “If I was going to say something like that, it would sound like something in my lingo,” he said, maintaining that the remark had been taken out of context.
Mpendulo Dube – Instagram
Looking ahead, Dube confirmed that he plans to return to complete his third year in digital arts. Speaking to SowetanLIVE, he made it clear that long-term plans extend beyond reality television exposure. “Being a celebrity isn’t my end goal,” he said. “I want to create, learn and motivate others to do the same.”
In the same SowetanLIVE interview, Dube also spoke about his connection with fellow housemate Kokii Beuzana and mentioned plans for a “kota date” now that he is out of the house. While he did not define what the relationship might become, he indicated that he is open to seeing how it develops outside the reality television environment.
For Dube, the eviction marked the end of his run on the show, but in his words, it has not changed his intention to build on the visibility the platform provided.
Nadia Nakai and Toss have sparked dating rumours after sharing intimate Valentine’s Day posts on social media. Their photo has grabbed attention and got fans asking questions.
On Valentine’s Day 2026, both artists uploaded pictures and short clips of them spending time together. In several photos, Nadia sits on Toss’s lap as both of them smile at each other.
Nadia Nakai and Toss:Instagram
Toss captioned his post referencing “1 Corinthians 13:4–8 type of love.” The Bible verse speaks about kind love. Nadia simply wrote, “Happy Valentine’s Day,” followed by heart emojis. Neither artist explained the meaning behind the posts.
Some fans celebrated what they believed was a new couple. Others questioned whether the posts were part of a music rollout or publicity move. A few called it a “soft launch” of a relationship.
Nadia Nakai and Toss:Instagram
The reaction is linked to Nadia’s relationship with the late rapper AKA. AKA died in February 2023 in Durban after a fatal shooting. She openly shared her grief in various interviews online.
Read Also : Nadia Nakai Breaks the Internet with Bold ‘No-underwear’ Denim Outfit
Some fans questioned whether Nadia had moved on. Others defended her strongly. They argued that healing is personal. They said no one can decide when someone is ready to love again.
Nadia Nakai and Toss:Instagram
The rumours gained more attention after fans noticed Toss supporting Nadia at public events. He appeared at her beauty brand activation at a shopping mall. Nadia recently launched her cosmetic line, Naked Without by Bragga Cosmetics. Videos from the event showed Toss standing close to her and engaging warmly with fans.
Media personality Nota Baloyi also weighed in on the situation. He criticised the Valentine’s Day content in strong terms on social media. He said:
“Nadia Nakai going Pedo Thusi on Toss just confirms for me that the boy has been anally penetrated… Nadia is older than me. Walter Mokoena just watches from the sidelines while his daughter witnesses her mother sexually grooming teenage streamers. That whole circle is filthy!”
Nadia Nakai and Toss:Instagram
Neither Nadia nor Toss has confirmed a romantic relationship. They have not addressed the rumours directly. Their silence keeps the conversation alive. Whether the posts reveal a real romance or simply reflect friendship, they have achieved one thing. They captured public attention.
Zoë Modiga presented a fourth studio album, The Vault, in Johannesburg. Friends and other celebrities gathered to witness the event.
Modiga arrived at the event wearing a bold, futuristic blue ensemble that embodied her creative alter ego, Rha. This look is what people could expect from The Vault.
Modiga : Instagram
With three albums already under her belt, Modiga has spent over a decade building a rich catalog rooted in jazz and soul music. Her work has invited listeners into deep emotional spaces.
Read Also : Tyla Wins Best African Music Performance at the 2026 Grammy Award
The listening session wasn’t an ordinary performance. Among those that attended were some of South Africa’s creative stars, including music producer Muzi, media personality Ama Qamata, and comedian Loyiso Gola.
Zoe Modiga : Instagram
Modiga explained the meaning behind the album title The Vault. She described the word as a symbol that has several meanings. It is where treasured ideas live, unseen until they are ready to be shared.
The album draws from over twenty years’ worth of unreleased music, spanning from 2007 to 2025, a collection Modiga loves. This means the album is a combination of several ideas she has put together.
Modiga’s work blends jazz, soul and gospel music and shows themes of freedom, love and identity. Just a glimpse into The Vault, fans are anticipating the official release of the full album.
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