Khanyi Mbau Profile-Biography, Net Worth, Career & Age

About

She was once a self-proclaimed gold digger but the star has come a long way since her controversial socialite days. Today, Khanyi is one of Mzansi’s huge sensations. She’s an actress, TV presenter, radio personality and businesswoman. Learn more from this Khanyi Mbau’s biography.

Personal Life

Khanyisile Mbau, popularly known as Khanyi Mbau, was born on 15 October 1985 in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, to Lynette Sisi Mbau, a financial officer at Barclays Bank, and Menzi Mcunu, a businessman.

Khanyi Mbau’s father and mother weren’t married to each other. Her mother had to go back to work after she was born and thus, Khanyi was mostly raised by her strict grandmother in Soweto.

Would you believe that her grandma, Gladys, beat her if she broke the rules? That attention to decorum earned her the affectionate nickname ‘Queen of England’ from her granddaughter.

Khanyi Mbau’s Sibling | Source: InstagramKhanyi’s grandparents were more modern and open-minded than the other adults in Soweto. Her grandfather, Mr Babes Mbau, played the saxophone and influenced her to appreciate art.

Her grandmother sent her to a good school but this led to Khanyi Mbau being allegedly bullied by her peers.

Khanyi Mbau’s brother is the Youtube sensation, Lasizwe Dambuza. Her sister is Thandeka Mcunu.

Khanyi Mbau’s Career

Khanyi got into the television industry when she was just eight. Her first TV role was on the popular kids’ show Gallooby. After that, she presented a children’s fitness show called Sasko Sam ‘You’re A Star’ when she was 12 years old.

After that, she took a break to focus on her studies. She then went on to play Katlego in the drama series Soul City in 2004.

After that, Khanyi was cast as Lindiwe Chibi’s replacement in the show Muvhango in which she played the role of Doobsie.

Since then, she has consistently played good roles on television and hosted many programs.

In 2006, Khanyi joined the hit drama series Mzansi on SABC 1 in its second season. Then in 2007, she played the character ‘Zee’ in the SAMC 1 mini-series After 9.

In 2012, she was in SABC 1s Turn It Out as a guest judge. The following year, she starred in one episode of Ekasi: Our Stories. After that, she was featured in a documentary called I Am.

She was also seen on DStv’s Mzansi Magic mini-series Like Father, Like Son, as Sindisiwe Sibeko. That was also the year she released her biography Bitch, Please! I’m Khanyi Mbau.

In 2013, she featured in the docu-reality series Reality Check and then began hosting her own talk show on the OpenView HD channel eKasi+. That show was called Katch It With Khanyi and was renewed for a second season in late 2014.

It debuted with over 785,000 viewers, which increased to over 1 million in the first week of November 2014. The show was nominated for a South African Film and Television Award in 2015.

In between, Miss Mbau competed in the show Strictly Come Dancing’s seventh season. Then in 2015, she appeared in MTV Africa’s lip-sync battles and won the show.

That same year, she landed the role of Pinky in Ashes to Ashes. Khanyi Mbau’s Instagram was nominated for “Best Instagram Account” in the Channel24 Online Awards. This was an award that honored local musicians and public figures who have a powerful online presence.

2016 was a big year for Khanyi. She played the role of Palesa Simelane in the popular TV drama series Umlilo. After this, she acted in a TV show called The Weekend Edition.

She, along with radio and TV host Phat Joe, hosted a lifestyle show on weekend mornings. It was in this year that she also became a radio show host on a program called Whose Show is it Anyway?

She was joined by Somizi Mhlongo and Ntombi Ngcobo. The show was aired nationally but came to an end after a year.

That same year, Mbau’s first feature film was released. The movie was called Happiness is a Four Letter Word. She played the character of a trophy wife, a mother of two, and a shoe store owner.

The film premiered with record numbers and earned receipts of over R7 million. In October, the Johannesburg Film Festival named Khanyi Mbau among their top 10 South African actresses in the film. Her second film, a thriller titled The Red Room, was set for cinema release in 2018.

Then in 2017, Mbau was seen on The Scoop, an entertainment show that aired on SABC 3. In 2017, she hosted a 13-part reality show called The Big Secret.

That was a show by BET Africa, and her role was to encourage participants to reveal their darkest secrets.

This is the same year that Mbau began producing her third film Frank and Fearless with moviemaker and comedian Leon Schuster.

In 2018, she joined the cast of Uzalo on SABC 1. In 2019, she returned to the show for its 5th season. In April 2018, Mzansi Magic released a trailer for their series Abomama, in which Khanyi played the lead role.

She played the role of an approval-seeking ghetto queen who married a respected doctor and turned into a suburban housewife. That show debuted with over a million viewers and was the third most-watched show on the channel.

In 2021, Khanyi Mbau landed her biggest role yet. She joined Showmax Original Telenovela The Wife as Zandile, the wife of Nkosana.

In 2022. Khanyi Mbau was one of the celebrities featured in Netflix’s first original African reality television show Young, Rich & Famous which tells the story

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What Are Some Of The Best Khanyi Mbau Songs?

In an effort to break into the music scene, Khanyi Mbau has released quite a few songs though they did not take off as much as all her other forays into the entertainment field.

Some, like Khanyi Mbau’s Igwinya, have done better than others. With the release of a love song called Ubsuku bonke, Khanyi is hoping to get to a level where she can release an entire album.

Khanyi Mbau’s Business Interests

In November 2018, Khanyi Mbau launched her own brand of gin called ‘I Am Khanyi, Millennial Shimmer Gin’. Khanyi Mbau has a lovely daughter, aged 13.

She also wrote a book on self-healing. That autobiography outsold most celebrity autobiographies at that time. Since then, she has donned many hats with grace and gumption.

Khanyi Mbau’s Relationships 

Khanyi Mbau is currently in a relationship with a Zimbabwean national Kudzai Mushonga. They went public in 2021 and have been serving Mzansi with some of the best couple images from Dubai where they spend most of their time.

As is the norm with celeb relationships, Khanyi Mbau was feared to have ditched her millionaire boyfriend when she allegedly travelled back to South Africa without the knowledge of Mushonga.

He then posted it on social media only for her to turn up. The two are together and living it up so enjoy while the ride lasts.

Khanyi Mbau’s Previous Relationships

In 2005, Khanyi Mbau famously dated millionaire and former journalist Mandla Mthembu. The duo got married in 2006 but called it quits just nine months into their marriage.

Khanyi Mbau and Mandla Mthembu have a daughter named Khanukhani who she raises by herself.

She and Tebogo Lerole dated for 10 years and broke up in July 2020.

Khanyi Mbau’s Controversy

Is there a Mzansi celebrity who enjoys controversy more than Khanyi Mbau? Her biography is littered with such so let’s look at some.

During the Netflix original show Young, Rich & Famous, Khanyi Mbau’s parental skills were questioned when she said that she is not strict with her teenage daughter. She said that she was allowed to do anything.

She was further questioned about restrictions and particularly with regard to sex. Khanyi Mbau shocked her fellow cast members when she said she’d have no problem if her teenage daughter engaged in sexual activity as long as she thinks she can marry the man.

Many opined that she’s misleading her daughter and should protect and direct her more.

In 2021, Khanyi Mbau said she doesn’t care about the controversy surrounding her millionaire boyfriend Kudzai Mushonga. Mushonga is allegedly a fugitive and is wanted by Zimbabwean police.

During the reality TV show Young, Rich & Famous, Mbau said she is an easy target because she is newsworthy hence the accusation. She also opined that she seems to attract ‘bad boys’ as one of her ex-boyfriends was also accused of illegal activity.

All in all, she doesn’t mind. She’s living her best life.

In the past, she’s admitted to lightening her skin. Before her treatments, Khanyi was visibly darker. She says she wants to look like a doll.

She’s had several other procedures as well, such as liposuction. In 2017, it was alleged that she’d spent R95 000 on cosmetic surgery.

There was also notable drama surrounding an almost nude picture of herself that she posted on her social media.

Some of her fans thought it was too revealing but Khanyi quickly clarified that she was participating in a body appreciation campaign along with other influential personalities.

Khanyi Mbau’s Cars

Khanyi Mbau has been spotted with multiple luxurious cars. However, it’s not clear whether some of these heavy metals belong to her.

They include a Mercedez Benz G Class which is priced at R2.6 million, Lamborghini Urus which is priced at R4.5 million, Lamborghini Huracan at R8 million and Mercedez Benz AMG that’s approximately R1.5 million.

Khanyi Mbau also drove a 2015 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS that’s priced at around R1.5 million. It was repossessed by the bank after she defaulted on her loan payment.

Khanyi Mbau’s House

Its exterior and interiors are pristine with a cabro blocks layout on the verandah, glass-to-ceiling windows, and a spacious living room with tiled floors among other features.

Khanyi Mbau’s Net Worth

Khanyi Mbau’s net worth is projected to be $10 million or R155,300,000. That’s the result of her commitment to acting, show hosting, and business.

Awards & Recognition

Khanyi Mbau has been nominated for the Drama Queen of the Year award in the upcoming Feather Awards. The ceremony will take place on November 11 at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg.

Won the Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Red Room) at the South African International Film Academy Awards in 2019.

Social Media

Khanyi Mbau’s Instagram: @MbauReloaded

Khanyi Mbau’s Twitter: @MbauReloaded

Q&A

What does Khanyi Mbau do for a living?

Khanyi Mbau is an actress, a host, and an entrepreneur known for taking part in several television shows and telenovelas. She recently appeared on Netflix’s Young, Rich and Famous series.

How old is Khanyi Mbau’s daughter?

Khanyi Mbau’s daughter, Khanukani Mbau was born in 2006 and is 16 years old.

Is Khanyi Mbau single?

Khanyi Mbau is not single. She is in a relationship with Zimbabwean tycoon Kudzai Mushonga. The two went public with their relationship in 2021 and are enjoying the high life.

Is Khanyi Mbau in a relationship?

Yes, Khanyi Mbau’s boyfriend is a Zimbabwean millionaire Kudzai Mushonga. It’s not clear when the two began dating but went public in February 2021.

Who is Khanyi’s husband?

Khanyi Mbau isn’t married but is in a relationship with Kudzai Mushonga. In 2021, there were speculations that she might have secretly married her Zimbabwean millionaire but it looks like those were just rumors.