Mandla Elliot Mthembu, the businessman and former husband of media icon Khanyi Mbau, has passed away. According to a statement from his family, Mthembu died in a New York hospital on the evening of September 21, 2025, following complications from a second stroke.
The family confirmed his passing, stating that despite the efforts of medical staff, he succumbed to the illness. They remembered him for his “entrepreneurial spirit,” his contributions to South Africa’s business world, and his long-standing commitment to the ANC. Requesting privacy, the family mourns the loss of a “father, brother and friend.”
Mthembu was famously married to Khanyi Mbau in a customary union in 2006. Their relationship captivated the nation, making them a high-profile couple known for a life of extreme luxury, symbolized by their matching yellow Lamborghinis. However, their marriage was also marked by controversy, including public speculation about Mbau’s motives and, later, allegations of abuse. The couple, who share a daughter, Khanukani, separated in 2009.
Following their split, Mthembu retreated from public life, while Mbau’s career in the spotlight continued to flourish. His passing marks the closing of a chapter on one of South Africa’s most talked-about relationships from the mid-2000s.
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