Khanyi Mbau, the South African actress and media personality, celebrated a milestone birthday on 15 October 2025, turning 40 years old. While fans and followers were showering her with love on social media, her former Zimbabwean boyfriend, Kudzai Mushonga, revealed a heartfelt surprise he had been planning for her special day—a grand gesture that included a marriage proposal.
Khanyi Mbau and Kudzai Mushonga have had a highly publicized, on-and-off relationship since going public in 2021. Their romance has frequently kept fans on edge, with dramatic breakups and reunions making headlines. After rekindling their relationship in February 2025, the couple once again parted ways quietly, leaving many wondering about the reasons behind their final split.
On the day of Khanyi’s 40th birthday, Mushonga took to his Instagram stories to share a glimpse of the elaborate plans he had secretly been preparing for months. According to Mushonga, the celebration would have started with a luxurious yacht ride in the Gulf, a vessel he and Mbau had previously inspected together under the guise of a client visit. “They say life begins at 40. You deserve all good things in life. Today, I thought I would begin yours with you,” Mushonga wrote, emphasizing the thought and effort that went into the surprise.
In addition to the yacht experience, Mushonga revealed that he had planned a full-scale birthday extravaganza, including a drone show, fireworks at sea, entertainment, catering, and a meticulously decorated setting. Central to the surprise was his intention to propose marriage to Khanyi Mbau. “I thought today was the perfect day to get on that one knee with such a perfect setting on a big day, because I like big days and had been waiting for this one for a long time,” he shared.
Despite the grand plans, Mushonga acknowledged the reality of their breakup and expressed acceptance of the situation. He explained that his secrecy regarding his phone and communications had been necessary to organize the surprise. “After praying to God for months to show me the truth and the light, the outcome is as it is, and I have accepted it,” he stated. He ended his message with heartfelt birthday wishes: “Enjoy this one. Have an amazing one and continue to build that legacy. Here’s 40 hearts for you. To a new beginning without me.”
Meanwhile, rumors surrounding Mushonga’s romantic life continued to swirl. Faith Nketsi recently addressed speculation about her involvement with Mushonga after they were spotted together in Dubai. Social media users weighed in on the story, keeping the spotlight on both Khanyi Mbau and her ex-boyfriend’s personal lives.
Kudzai Mushonga, known for his luxurious lifestyle, demonstrated that even in the face of heartbreak, grand gestures and meaningful intentions can leave a lasting impression. Though the relationship has ended, the story of what could have been remains a testament to the complexities of love and celebration, highlighting the bittersweet reality of public relationships.
Khanyi Mbau’s 40th birthday, therefore, was not just a milestone for her—it also became a reflection on love, surprises, and life’s unexpected turns, shared publicly for fans to witness and remember.
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