Thandolwethu Mokoena is a South African internet personality, social media influencer, and model who rose to fame as the eldest daughter of actress Pearl Thusi and sports journalist Walter Mokoena. Born into South African entertainment royalty, the young content creator has carved out her own digital presence with over 200,000 Instagram followers and a growing TikTok audience. She co-hosts the popular YouTube podcast “Say Less” with her mother and has become a prominent voice for Gen Z in South Africa.
Thando Mokoena Wikipedia
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Thandolwethu Mokoena |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | 14 September 2007 |
| Age | 18 years old (as of November 2025) |
| Place of birth | Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Current residence | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Ethnicity | Black African |
| Zodiac sign | Virgo |
| Religion | Christian |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | Approximately 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 121 lbs (55 kg) |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Brown |
| Marital status | Dating |
| Boyfriend | Dreezy (digital content creator) |
| Children | None |
| Parents | Pearl Thusi (mother), Walter Mokoena (father) |
| Siblings | Okuhlekonke Thusi (adopted sister) |
| Alma mater | American International School of Johannesburg |
| Profession | Internet personality, social media influencer, model, podcast co-host |
| Net worth | Estimated $100,000 |
Who is Thando Mokoena?
Thandolwethu Mokoena is a rising social media star who has successfully transitioned from being a celebrity child to building her own brand in the digital space. She gained widespread recognition through her authentic content on TikTok and Instagram, where she shares lifestyle moments, fashion content, and relatable Gen Z experiences.
The young influencer made headlines in May 2025 when she graduated from the American International School of Johannesburg, an elite international institution. Her graduation was attended by both her parents despite their separation, showcasing a healthy co-parenting relationship.
In September 2025, Thando launched the YouTube podcast “Say Less” alongside her mother Pearl Thusi. The show offers viewers an intimate look at their mother-daughter dynamic while discussing topics ranging from relationships and parenting to mental health and generational differences.
How old is Thando Mokoena? Age and birthday
Thando Mokoena is 18 years old as of November 2025. She was born on 14 September 2007 in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. Her zodiac sign is Virgo, which is associated with individuals born between August 23 and September 22.
Pearl Thusi was just 19 years old when she gave birth to Thando, making the mother-daughter duo remarkably close in age. This age proximity has contributed to their unique relationship dynamic, which they openly explore on their podcast.
Who are Thando Mokoena’s parents?
Thando was born to two prominent South African media personalities. Her mother, Pearl Thusi, is a celebrated actress, model, and television presenter known for her roles in international productions like “Queen Sono” and “Quantico.” Pearl became a mother at the young age of 19 and has been open about her journey raising Thando while building her career.
Her father, Walter Mokoena, is a respected sports journalist and broadcaster who previously worked with SABC. Walter later transitioned into water diplomacy and environmental advocacy work. He is currently married to Nosizwe Zuma, who Pearl Thusi has publicly praised for helping co-parent Thando.
Although her parents separated when she was young, Thando maintains a close relationship with both. She has spoken warmly about her father’s involvement in her life and the positive co-parenting arrangement between her parents.
Thando Mokoena’s education
Thando received her high school education at the American International School of Johannesburg, an elite institution known for offering the International Baccalaureate program. Pearl Thusi made the deliberate choice to enroll her daughter in an international school rather than a traditional South African institution.
In May 2025, Thando graduated from high school in a ceremony attended by both her parents. Unlike typical South African matriculation ceremonies, her graduation featured traditional American cap-and-gown attire, reflecting the international school’s culture. The graduation marked a significant milestone in her life and was widely shared on social media.
During her school years, Thando balanced academics with her growing social media presence and participated in various extracurricular activities. She has mentioned studying the International Baccalaureate curriculum, which is known for its rigorous academic standards.
What is Thando Mokoena’s net worth?
As of 2025, Thando Mokoena’s estimated net worth is approximately $100,000. Her wealth primarily comes from social media brand partnerships, influencer collaborations, and her family’s financial support. As a young content creator with over 200,000 Instagram followers and a growing TikTok presence, she has attracted various brand endorsement opportunities.
Her income streams include sponsored posts, brand ambassadorships, and her role as co-host of the “Say Less” podcast. While she is still building her independent career, Thando also benefits from her parents’ established wealth in the entertainment industry.
As she continues to grow her digital presence and expand her career opportunities, her net worth is expected to increase significantly in the coming years.
Thando Mokoena’s career
Social Media Influencing
Thando launched her social media career on Instagram and TikTok, where she shares fashion content, lifestyle moments, and candid glimpses into her life. Her Instagram account @thando__mokoena has amassed over 213,000 followers as of 2025, while her TikTok account @heyitsthando has gained over 186,000 followers with 6.5 million likes.
Her content resonates with young South African audiences due to its authenticity and relatability. She frequently posts about student life, fashion, beauty, and personal growth, establishing herself as a voice for Gen Z experiences in South Africa.
Podcast Co-Host
In September 2025, Thando co-launched the YouTube podcast “Say Less with Pearl and Thando” alongside her mother. The show has quickly gained popularity for its honest conversations about mother-daughter relationships, generational differences, and contemporary social issues.
Notable episodes have featured discussions about absent fathers, relationships, parenting styles, and Thando’s memories of the late rapper AKA. The podcast showcases Thando’s communication skills and ability to engage in meaningful dialogue on complex topics.
Brand Collaborations
As a brand influencer, Thando has worked with various fashion and lifestyle brands. Her bio includes a management contact for bookings, indicating she has professional representation. She also promotes discount codes for brands like Pink Room, demonstrating her commercial appeal to youth-oriented companies.
Fashion and Modeling
Thando has shown interest in fashion and modeling, frequently showcasing designer outfits on her social media platforms. Her matric dance appearance in April 2025, where she wore a custom Gert-Johan Coetzee gown, garnered significant media attention and showcased her fashion influence.
Is Thando Mokoena dating? Boyfriend and relationships
Thando Mokoena is currently in a relationship with digital content creator Dreezy. She officially introduced her boyfriend on TikTok in August 2025, making their relationship public. The announcement video received widespread positive reactions from fans and followers.
The couple frequently appears together in social media content, sharing their relationship journey with their combined audiences. In one TikTok video, Dreezy documented the moment he asked Thando to be his girlfriend, which went viral on the platform.
Before going public with Dreezy, Thando kept her romantic life relatively private. She has spoken on her podcast about navigating relationships while growing up in the public eye and the challenges of dating as a celebrity child.
Relationship with Late Rapper AKA
Thando shared a special bond with the late rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, who dated her mother Pearl Thusi. In a September 2025 interview, Thando revealed that AKA was like an uncle to her and taught her about religion and respect.
She emotionally stated that if she could bring anyone back to life, her first choice would be “Uncle Kiernan.” Her heartfelt tribute to the rapper, who was tragically killed in February 2023, touched many South Africans and revealed the depth of their relationship.
Thando Mokoena’s family
Thando comes from a blended family with connections to South African entertainment and political circles. Her mother, Pearl Thusi, is one of South Africa’s most recognizable actresses, while her father, Walter Mokoena, has made his mark in sports journalism and environmental advocacy.
She has an adopted younger sister, Okuhlekonke Thusi, whom Pearl adopted when Thando was younger. The sisters were close during their childhood, though Okuhle later returned to her biological family. Thando has spoken openly about the unique dynamics of growing up with an adopted sibling.
Her stepmother, Nosizwe Zuma (daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma), married Walter Mokoena and played a role in co-parenting Thando. Pearl Thusi publicly thanked Nosizwe in October 2025 for her involvement in raising Thando, highlighting their healthy co-parenting arrangement.
Her maternal grandfather, Bhekizizwe Thusi, has also been an important figure in her life. Thando maintains close relationships with extended family members and frequently shares family moments on social media.
Thando Mokoena’s height and physical appearance
Thando Mokoena stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall (168 cm) and weighs around 121 pounds (55 kg). She has a slender build that complements her modeling and fashion content on social media.
She has natural black hair that she styles in various ways, from natural curls to straight styles and protective hairstyles. Her brown eyes are a prominent feature, often highlighted in her makeup content and photoshoots.
Thando’s fashion sense blends contemporary South African youth culture with international trends, reflecting her education at an American international school and exposure to global fashion through her mother’s career.
Fast facts about Thando Mokoena
- Celebrity offspring: She is the eldest daughter of South African actress Pearl Thusi and sports journalist Walter Mokoena.
- Teen mom’s daughter: Pearl Thusi was only 19 years old when she gave birth to Thando, making them closer in age than typical mother-daughter pairs.
- International education: She attended the elite American International School of Johannesburg and graduated in May 2025.
- Podcast co-host: She co-hosts the YouTube podcast “Say Less” with her mother Pearl Thusi, discussing generational topics and relationships.
- Social media star: Thando has over 213,000 Instagram followers and 186,000 TikTok followers with content focused on lifestyle and Gen Z experiences.
- Fashion influencer: Her matric dance appearance in a custom Gert-Johan Coetzee gown in April 2025 made headlines across South African media.
- Public relationship: She went public with her boyfriend, digital creator Dreezy, in August 2025 through a viral TikTok video.
- AKA connection: She shared a special bond with late rapper AKA (Kiernan Forbes), whom she considered an uncle and mentor.
- Blended family: She grew up in a blended family situation with healthy co-parenting between her separated parents and her stepmother Nosizwe Zuma.
- Virgo personality: Born on September 14, she is a Virgo, known for being practical, analytical, and detail-oriented.
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Wrapping up
Thando Mokoena has successfully established herself as a prominent Gen Z voice in South Africa’s digital landscape. From her beginnings as Pearl Thusi’s daughter to becoming a social media influencer and podcast co-host, she continues to build an independent identity while honoring her family connections. As she navigates young adulthood in the public eye, her authentic approach to content creation and willingness to discuss meaningful topics position her for continued growth in the entertainment and digital media space.
References
- “Thandolwethu Mokoena: Biography, Age, Father, Sister, Mother.” Their Magazine.
- “Pearl Thusi and Thando Mokoena: bridging generations with laughter and real talk on their podcast.” IOL.
- “Pearl Thusi’s daughter Thando Mokoena hard-launches boyfriend in sweet TikTok.” Briefly.
- “Pearl Thusi’s Daughter Thando Mokoena Graduates High School.” OK Mzansi.
- “Pearl Thusi’s Daughter Reflects on Her Relationship with AKA.” Bona.
- “Pearl Thusi Gives a Shout Out to Her Daughter Thando’s Step Mom.” Briefly.
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