The Johannesburg beauty is now an award-winning actress, a respected TV presenter, radio personality and businesswoman.
In 2018, Khanyi launched her very own gin – I Am Khanyi – Millenial Shimmer Gin.
She is also a singer with several songs under her belt including Red Shoes, Shakeand I Miss You.
From spending other people’s money to making her own, here’s a look at Khanyi Mbau’s biography.
Khanyi Mbau age
Khanyi Mbau was born on October 15, 1985. She celebrated her 34th birthday in 2019 with a white and gold themed party. Some of the famous guests who attended the soiree were rapper Casper Nyovest, model Shashi Naidoo and celebrity dentist Alexander ‘Dr Smile’ Rawháni. Khanyi’s guests shared pictures from her BDAY party.
Khanyi Mbau siblings, family
Khanyi Mbau was born in Hillbrow, Johannesburg. Her real name is Khanyisile, which means light bringer. Khanyi’s father, Menzi Mcunu, is a businessman who has worked in the taxi industry for over three decades. He owns several other businesses. Khanyi’s mother, Lynette Sisi Mbau, reportedly worked in the finance industry. Khanyi’s parents were never married and she spent much of her childhood with her strict grandmother, Gladys, in Soweto.
Khanyi has two known siblings. YouTube sensation Lasizwe Dambuza is Khanyi’s baby brother. He is her half-brother on her father’s side. Khanyi also has a sister named Thandeka Mcunu.
Khanyi Mbau career, TV, movies
Khanyi Mbau’s controversial relationship with businessman Mandla Mthembu in 2005 might have helped make her a household name but she has always had plans to make it in the entertainment industry.
Kideo fans will remember Khanyi as one of the kids who appeared on the popular children’s television show.
Khanyi got her first big career break in 2004 when she starred in the popular soapie, Muvhango. She played Doobsie. Khanyi was a teenager when she bagged the role. She revealed how she earned for the role during an interview with Nicky Greenwall on The Close Up.
“I was just 17 years old when I got onto the show. My first paycheque was R80 000. I’ve never worked in my life. Yes, I made money from Kideo Kids but it was always my mom’s money, and here I am, the first paycheque is 80 000, boom, into my account. And, I had only opened the account two days before because they told me they needed an account to put my money into,” she told Nicky about her salary.