Khanyi Mbau says motherhood, personal growth and a more careful approach to her career have changed the way she lives in the public eye after nearly 20 years of fame.
A More Private Chapter of Motherhood
The actress and media personality described herself as calmer and more private these days, with much of that change shaped by raising her 20-year-old daughter, Khanukani.
Khanyi said living in Dubai brought her and Khanukani closer because time apart made their relationship more meaningful. She also recognises that her daughter will soon build an independent life of her own, possibly including starting a family.
“I’ve changed,” Khanyi said, explaining that having a 20-year-old daughter means she now has to model the qualities of a decent, grounded person and help Khanukani understand the foundations of good character.
Her sense of responsibility has also influenced her public image. Because Khanukani is now active on Instagram, has her own friendships and takes part in her own conversations, Khanyi said she has become more conscious of how she dresses and behaves.
- Khanyi has chosen a lower-profile lifestyle out of consideration for her daughter.
- She believes her public conduct must now reflect her role as a mother.
- She has become more selective about the projects connected to her name.
Choosing Work With Greater Purpose
Khanyi said seeing how a particular scene involving her in The Wife affected Khanukani made her realise that her choices no longer belonged only to her. That experience encouraged her to step away from the spotlight and accept roles that align with her values and the person she wants to become.
She is now preparing to return to screens in Netflix’s Meet The Khumalos 2, while maintaining that motherhood has not prevented her from moving forward professionally.
“I’m deliberate about the jobs I accept,” she said, repeating that the reaction to her The Wife scene made her reconsider the kind of work she puts into the world. Her absence, she explained, was intentional: she wanted projects that represented both her beliefs and her personal growth.
Khanukani’s Journey Into Fashion
Two years ago, Khanyi gave Khanukani a gap year so she could explore her interests and work out what direction she wanted to take. Although Khanukani initially considered studying coding, she returned from that break identifying herself as a fashion enthusiast.
She is now studying the business side of fashion, a path Khanyi believes reflects the self-discovery that took place during the year away from formal studies.
Khanyi On Her Relationship With Kudzai Mushonga
Khanyi’s five-year relationship with Zimbabwean businessman Kudzai Mushonga ended in February 2025, following her return from Dubai to South Africa. When discussing the change in her relationship status, she declined to reveal the private details and instead said she wanted to preserve Mushonga’s public image.
She insisted that nothing specific had gone wrong and said she was still trying to make sense of the situation. Khanyi described Mushonga as kind, intelligent and full of promise, adding that people are imperfect and that she had no harsh accusations to make.
Khanyi said she feels settled and knows where she needs to be and what she should focus on. For her, keeping quiet can be more compassionate than publicly fighting back, since retaliation does not necessarily make anyone the winner.
She added that personal growth had taught her the value of silence, describing it as the most healing response for the people involved.
