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.
Khanyisile Mbau, popularly known as Khanyi Mbau, is a successful actress and entrepreneur. She was born in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, to Lynette Sisi Mbau, a financial officer in 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. 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 brother is the Youtube sensation, Lasizwe Dambuza. Her sister is Thandeka Mcunu.
Khanyi’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 chose a school for her to attend. According to reports, it was a good school, but this led her to be different from the other children in her village. She was allegedly bullied as a result.
Despite her upbringing, she became successful. She first gained recognition in 2004, when she was cast as Lindiwe Chibi’s replacement in the show Muvhango. Since then, she has consistently played good roles on television and hosted many programs. 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. Today, Khanyi Mbau, age 36, is one of the most famous celebrities in South Africa. Let’s take a peek into this talented beauty’s journey in the public eye.
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 played the role of Doobsie in Muvhango, which was the biggest role of her career.
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 785,000 viewers, which increased to 1,669,000 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 honoured 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. In it, her character was 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 with movie maker and comedian Leon Schuster. The movie was called Frank and Fearless.
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, which had Khanyi starring in 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 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.
In 2005, Khanyi Mbau famously dated the millionaire and former journalist Mandla Mthembu. The duo got married in 2006. They called it quits just nine months into their marriage. Khanyi Mbau and Mandla Mthembu have a child. Khanyi raises her daughter by herself. After this relationship, she and Tebogo Lerole dated for 10 years. Khanyi Mbau and her boyfriend broke up in July 2020.
Khanyi Mbau’s father and mother weren’t married to each other. Her mother had to go back to work after she was born. Khanyi Mbau’s brother is the Youtube sensation, Lasizwe Dambuza. Her sister is Thandeka Mcunu.
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 cars include a navy-blue Porsche that’s worth around R800,000.
Khanyi Mbau’s house is a luxurious mansion. The floor to ceiling glass type. It’s the kind of life that we’ve seen most celebs live. In 2020, Khanyi Mbau shared that she had to downgrade her house. Per the actress, she was financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, Khanyi tweeted that her previous house was massive. She felt she downgraded, but her fans still feel her home is lavish.
Khanyi Mbau’s net worth is projected to be $10 million. That’s the result of her commitment to acting, show hosting, and business.
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.
Khanyi Mbau's Instagram: @MbauReloaded
Khanyi Mbau's Twitter: @MbauReloaded
Who is Khanyi’s husband?
Khanyi Mbau isn’t married or seeing anyone to anyone.
Is Khanyi Mbau single?
Yes, Khanyi Mbau is single.
Is Khanyi Mbau in a relationship?
No, Khanyi Mbau isn’t in a relationship.
How old is Khanyi Mbau's daughter?
Khanyi Mbau’s daughter, Cannes, was born in 2006. She is 15 years old.
What does Khanyi Mbau do for a living?
Khanyi Mbau is an actress, a host, and an entrepreneur.
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.
Khanyisile Mbau, popularly known as Khanyi Mbau, is a successful actress and entrepreneur. She was born in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, to Lynette Sisi Mbau, a financial officer in 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. 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 brother is the Youtube sensation, Lasizwe Dambuza. Her sister is Thandeka Mcunu.
Khanyi’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 chose a school for her to attend. According to reports, it was a good school, but this led her to be different from the other children in her village. She was allegedly bullied as a result.
Despite her upbringing, she became successful. She first gained recognition in 2004, when she was cast as Lindiwe Chibi’s replacement in the show Muvhango. Since then, she has consistently played good roles on television and hosted many programs. 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. Today, Khanyi Mbau, age 36, is one of the most famous celebrities in South Africa. Let’s take a peek into this talented beauty’s journey in the public eye.
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 played the role of Doobsie in Muvhango, which was the biggest role of her career.
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 785,000 viewers, which increased to 1,669,000 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 honoured 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. In it, her character was 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 with movie maker and comedian Leon Schuster. The movie was called Frank and Fearless.
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, which had Khanyi starring in 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 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.
In 2005, Khanyi Mbau famously dated the millionaire and former journalist Mandla Mthembu. The duo got married in 2006. They called it quits just nine months into their marriage. Khanyi Mbau and Mandla Mthembu have a child. Khanyi raises her daughter by herself. After this relationship, she and Tebogo Lerole dated for 10 years. Khanyi Mbau and her boyfriend broke up in July 2020.
Khanyi Mbau’s father and mother weren’t married to each other. Her mother had to go back to work after she was born. Khanyi Mbau’s brother is the Youtube sensation, Lasizwe Dambuza. Her sister is Thandeka Mcunu.
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 cars include a navy-blue Porsche that’s worth around R800,000.
Khanyi Mbau’s house is a luxurious mansion. The floor to ceiling glass type. It’s the kind of life that we’ve seen most celebs live. In 2020, Khanyi Mbau shared that she had to downgrade her house. Per the actress, she was financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, Khanyi tweeted that her previous house was massive. She felt she downgraded, but her fans still feel her home is lavish.
Khanyi Mbau’s net worth is projected to be $10 million. That’s the result of her commitment to acting, show hosting, and business.
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.
Khanyi Mbau's Instagram: @MbauReloaded
Khanyi Mbau's Twitter: @MbauReloaded
Who is Khanyi’s husband?
Khanyi Mbau isn’t married or seeing anyone to anyone.
Is Khanyi Mbau single?
Yes, Khanyi Mbau is single.
Is Khanyi Mbau in a relationship?
No, Khanyi Mbau isn’t in a relationship.
How old is Khanyi Mbau's daughter?
Khanyi Mbau’s daughter, Cannes, was born in 2006. She is 15 years old.
What does Khanyi Mbau do for a living?
Khanyi Mbau is an actress, a host, and an entrepreneur.
