Khanyi Mbau facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Khanyi Mbau
Mbau in December 2017
Born	Khanyisile Jacqueline Mchunu Mbau (1984-10-15) 15 October 1984 (age 40) Soweto, South Africa
Nationality	South African
Citizenship	South African-Saudi Arabian
Occupation	Actress television personality artist businesswoman
Years active	2004–present
Spouse(s)	Mandla Mthembu ​ ​ (m. 2006; div. 2009)​
Children	Khanukani Mbau (daughter)
Parent(s)	Menzi Mcunu (father) Lynette Sisi Mbau (mother)
Relatives	Lasizwe Dambuza (half-brother)
Musical career
Genres	Hip hop Afro-pop
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Mabala Noise (former) CCP Record Company

Khanyisile Mbau is a famous South African actress, musician, and TV presenter. She is also known as a socialite, which means she is well-known in society and attends many social events.

Khanyi first became famous for playing Doobsie in the TV show Muvhango from 2004 to 2005. She also played Mbali in the show Mzansi and Zee in the mini-series After Nine. In 2018, she hosted The Scoop on SABC 3 and The Big Secret on BET Africa. She also played Tshidi in Abomama on Mzansi Magic.

Early Life and Family

Khanyisile Mbau was born on October 16, 1985. Her mother, Lynette Sisi Mbau, worked at Barclays Bank. Her father, Menzi Mcunu, gave her the name Khanyisile, which means "one who brings light." Khanyi kept her mother's last name.

When Khanyi was a baby, her mother left her with her grandparents in Mofolo, Soweto. Her grandmother mostly raised her. Khanyi's grandparents had a very traditional and strict way of life. Khanyi often joked that her grandmother was like the "Queen of England" because she ran her home with great care.

Career Highlights

Television Roles

In 2004, Khanyi Mbau took over the role of Doobsie in Muvhango. She was on the show for about a year. In 2006, Khanyi joined the popular SABC 1 show Mzansi as Mbali. She also played Zee in the SABC 1 mini-series After 9 in 2007.

In 2012, she was a guest judge on Turn It Out, a dance show on SABC 1. The next year, she appeared in an episode of Ekasi: Our Stories on E.tv. She also played Sindisiwe Sibeko in the DStv mini-series Like Father Like Son.

In 2013, Khanyi hosted her own talk show called Katch It With Khanyi on the OpenView HD channel eKasi+. The show was very popular and was renewed for a second season. It became the most-watched talk show in its time slot. Katch It With Khanyi was even nominated for an award in 2015.

In 2014, Khanyi competed in Strictly Come Dancing. She was eliminated in week 7. In April 2015, Khanyi got a role in E.tv's first telenovela, Ashes to Ashes. She played a character named Pinky.

In 2016, Khanyi played Palesa Tladi in the TV drama Umlilo. She also co-hosted a new lifestyle show called The Weekend Edition on SABC 3 with Phat Joe. In 2017, Khanyi hosted The Scoop on SABC 3 and a reality series called The Big Secret on BET Africa. In The Big Secret, people shared their deepest secrets.

In March 2018, Khanyi joined the cast of Uzalo on SABC 1. She played Dinekile, also known as Lady Die, a shoplifter who wanted a better life. In July 2019, she returned to the show for its fifth season. In April 2018, Khanyi took the lead role of Tshidi in the drama series Abomama on Mzansi Magic. The show was very successful, with over a million viewers.

In July 2023, Khanyi Mbau was announced as the host for the second annual Basadi in Music Awards at the Joburg Theatre.

Radio Shows

In 2016, Khanyi became a host on the radio show Whose show is it anyway on Metro FM. She hosted it with other entertainers like Somizi Mhlongo. The show ran for about a year.

Film Appearances

Khanyi Mbau's first movie, Happiness is a Four-letter Word, came out in February 2016. She played Zaza, a wife and shoe store owner. The movie was a big success, earning over R10 million at the box office.

In 2017, Khanyi started working on her second film, Frank and Fearless, with comedian Leon Schuster. Her third film, a thriller called The Red Room, was released in 2019.

In 2023, Khanyi got a role in the series The Wife, where she played Zandile Zulu.

Business Ventures

In November 2018, Khanyi Mbau launched her own brand of gin called I Am Khanyi - Millennial Shimmer Gin.

Filmography

Awards and Nominations

South African International Film Academy Awards