Contrary to her character on SABC 1's hit soapie Generations: The Legacy, actress Pearl Monama has come out strongly against the notion of arranged marriages, saying she should be able to marry a person she truly loves.
Pearl plays the role of Sphesihle Cele, a princess from a Zulu royal family in KwaZulu-Natal, who has shown a keen interest in an arranged marriage with Mazwi Moroka - played by Musa Ngema.
However, unlike her character, the actress has expressed her disapproval in arranged marriages, suggesting that they are bound to fail.
Speaking to Move, she explained: "I believe that marriage is for a lifetime, and marrying someone you hardly know will not make the marriage successful."
"I believe that the huge problem with arranged marriages is when young girls are forced to marry against their will. Most cultural families who support arranged marriages suggest it, and usually give the daughter no choice in the matter."
However, it turns out that she won't have that problem, because she claims her family is also against arranged marriages.
"My family is against it, and believe that I should marry the person that I truly love," she said.
Pearl, who hails from Benoni - east of Johannesburg - made her on-screen debut, when she landed starring role in the movie Suurlemoen. And apart from acting, she works at the University of Pretoria where she completed her honours degree.
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