South African actress Petronella Tshuma has opened up about the emotional toll of being dragged into the recent divorce drama between her best friend Stephanie Sandows and actor Hungani Ndlovu.
Although she had no direct involvement, Petronella found herself targeted online, with users speculating about her role in the couple’s split.
Speaking candidly in a TikTok video, the award-winning actress revealed that the backlash deeply affected her mental health, forcing her to block hurtful comments and disable comment sections on several of her posts.
“Being a Christian is very hard. The mental pressure on us is intense,” she said. “I’m not silent because I can’t defend myself. I stay quiet because I want to represent Christ well.”
Despite her faith, Tshuma emphasized that Christians also have the right to protect their peace. “We are not called to be doormats. We are allowed to protect ourselves,” she said.
Her message has sparked conversations online about faith, mental health, and the price of public life.
