Khanyisile Mbau (born October 15, 1985) popularly known as Khanyi Mbau, is an award winning South African actress, model, socialite and entrepreneur. She came to limelight for her role in the SABC 2 soap opera, Muvhango. She also gained more exposure for her role as Mbali on the SABC 1 mini series “After nine”.
| Khanyi Mbau | |
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| Quick Facts | |
| Birth Name: | Khanyisile Mbau |
| Birth Date: | October 15, 1985 |
| Birth Place: | Soweto, South Africa |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Occupation: | Actress, Entrepreneur |
| Parents: | Menzi Mcunu, Lynette Sisi Mbau |
| Siblings: | Lasizwe Dambuza, Thandeka Mcunu |
| Husband: | Mandla Mthembu (m. 2006, div. 2009) |
| Children: | Khanukani |
| Net Worth: | $850,000 |
Early Life
Khanyi Mbau was born on October 15, 1985 in Soweto, South Africa. Her mother, Lynette Sisi Mbau worked in the finance department of the pension fund at Barclays Bank. However, she retained her mother’s surname, Mbau.
Career
Mbau started acting in 2004 with a role of Doobsie on Muvhango where she replaced actress Lindiwe Chibi. She joined the SABC 1 drama series Mzansi in 2006 which was followed by a role as Zee in the SABC 1 mini-series, After 9.
She became the guest judge on the second season of SABC’s 1 “Turn It Out” in 2012 and starred in E.tv’s drama series, Ekasi: Our Stories, in 2013. She starred in the Dstv Vuzu documentary, I Am, and played the role of Sindisiwe Sibeko on DStv’s Mzansi Magic mini-series “Like Father Like Son”.
She competed in the seventh season of Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 and got a supporting role of “Pinky” in E.tv’s first ever telenovela, Ashes to Ashes in April 2015.
She got the role of Palesa Simelane in the television drama series, Umilo, in March 2016 and in July of the same year, she got a new television show on SABC 3 called The Weekend edition alongside the radio and TV host Phat Joe.
Mbau appeared in the entertainment show, The Scoop in July 2017 and joined the cast of the TV show, Uzalo in March 2018.
She got a role in her first feature film, Happiness is a Four-letter Word, as premiered on February 19, 2016 and her second film, The Red Room was set for cinema release in 2018.
Aside acting, she is an entrepreneur who launched her own brand of gin called I Am Khanyi – Millennial Shimmer Gin.
She is also an afro pop singer with numerous singles released.
Songs
- Ubusuku Bonke
- Dunusa
- Shake
- Izondo
- Crazy
- I Miss You
- Red Shoes
- Igwinya
- Ubobalela
Personal Life
Mbau got married to Mandla Mthembu in 2006 and went their separate ways in 2009. She also reportedly dated Tebogo Lerole for ten years before she call it quit in 2020.
However, she has a daughter named Khanukani.
Awards & Nominations
Mbau won the Best Actress for the film Red Room at the South African International Film Academy Awards.
READ ALSO: Zinzi Zungu Biography: Age, Husband, Net Worth
Net Worth
Khanyi Mbau has an estimated net worth of $850,000.
Social Media Handle
- Instagram: @mbaureloaded
- Twitter: @MbauReloaded
