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I am a lesson to the next generation: Khanyi Mbau

Khanyi Mbau. PHOTO: Tshepo Kekana
Khanyi Mbau. PHOTO: Tshepo Kekana

She lived the life of the rich and famous, rolling in cash and driving fast cars that most dream of. She lived in an R8million luxurious penthouse but it could not buy happiness.

Yes this is a description of socialite Khanyi Mbau, popularly known as Queen of Bling.

Sowetan LIVE had an intimate chat with Khanyi Mbau about her life lessons, from the socialite's experience of living life in the fast lane to now taking a taxi from A to B.

Khanyi describes her past journey as a walk in life that is irreplaceable.

“My life was a pretty prison. I was a hero to certain people but dead inside. Men bought me all the fancy things, everything I ever wanted but I paid for it with my life. That’s a part of me I can never replace.

Living rich was the loneliest time of my life,” Khanyi adds.

Mbau says there are no guidelines to life, she believes she lived to learn from her experiences.

“Life has no rules, there is no right or wrong, my wrong could be your right. When I broke into the industry I was the girl living a lavish life.

“I went anywhere to get it. I was being myself because at that point that was who I wanted to be. I would date a 60 year old man, marry him and give him a child.”

The socialite explains that it's easy to live a care-free life when a person is young.

“When you are young, you are impulsive. At the time when media had time for me, I was too busy for them. I thought I was hot and happening, I had no time to explain who I was and what I was about.

“People read my actions and not my intentions. I don’t blame the media for the attitude people had towards me. The media does not fabricate things. When you act like a diva you get seen as one,” she says.

Mbau says her life as diva is nothing but misery.

“Fancy cars park outside your house, you're bowling and look fabulous on the outside, but after all that you are empty inside.

“You start feeling like a prostitute, it’s a hard life it sucks everything out of you.”

The socialite who feels that her life had now transformed for the better, says she does not desire the life of sugardaddies.

“I am okay with it. I now sit at a restaurant and look at girls living the life I used to have - and realize that I was once like that and I know their misery.

“I am a lesson to the next generation.”

Mbau has moved on from driving a Lamborghini to now taking a taxi to wherever she needs to be - and she is ok with it.

“I have lost an R8million rand penthouse, Porsches, Lambos and went to zero. Now look, I am back to who I once was. Myself.

“I would rather save money to buy a car cash than to pay a ridiculous installment.”

Mbau now goes around motivating women to be the best they can be without depending on men.

“I motivate girls to understand themselves and know their mission. When you have no intentions you fall prey to things that draw you backwards.

“Life is not about the material things. You can be a success and find real love without losing yourself along the way.”

Khanyi Mbau is now in a serious relationship, with her long-time beau Tebogo Lerale and spends all her valuable time with her daughter and family.

Khanyi is also busy with production of the TV show Reality Check.

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