Top 8 Things You Didn’t Know About Khanyi Mbau

1. KhanyiMbau is a South African actress, television presenter and socialite who rose to fame with her role as the second Doobsie in the SABC2 soap opera Muvhango (2004-2005); and as Mbali in the SABC1 soapieMzansi, before becoming better known as a controversial socialite.

2. Mbau was born and raised by a single mom in Mofolo, Soweto. Her father was in the taxi industry and never at home, according to Mbau.

3. In 2004 she replaced actress LindiweChibi in the role of Doobsie on Muvhango, after Chibi was shot in the face by her boyfriend. A year later she was fired from the role, reportedly for spending too much time partying and appearing in the Sunday tabloids.

4. In 2006 she landed the role of Mbali on Mzansi, but was fired from that show after one season. In 2007 she played the role of Zee in the SABC1 mini-series After 9.

5. She met journalist-turned millionaire MandlaMthembu in 2005 and the couple were married in 2006, amidst claims that Mbau was a “gold-digger” after his money. Mthembu had made a fortune when he and a business partner sued Transnet for R80-million over a tender gone wrong – and won.

6. Mbau claimed she was in love with the older man, but nine months later they were engaged in a bitter divorce dispute, with Mthembu himself alleging that Mbau was after his fortune.

7. In 2013 she featured in the docu-reality television series Reality Check, on e.tv. She also began hosting her own talk show on the OpenView HD channel eKasi+, called Katch It WithKhanyi. The show was renewed for a second season in 2014.

8. Also in 2014 she had starring roles in the Vuzu sitcom Check Coast and in the third season of the e.tv anthology series Mzansi Love.