Mandla Elliot Mthembu, the enigmatic businessman whose name became synonymous with extravagance and controversy, passed away on the evening of September 21, 2025, in New York. At 68 years old, he succumbed to complications from a second stroke while hospitalized.
Timeline of a Controversial Life
- Early Years and Activism: Born on December 24, 1956, Mthembu’s early life was shaped by the apartheid era. He was a committed supporter of the ANC and was imprisoned as a political prisoner around 1978. This experience laid the foundation for his later public service and political affiliations.
- From Journalism to Business: Mthembu began his career as a journalist, but his path soon led to entrepreneurship. He founded Sechaba Printing, a firm with ties to the ANC’s Skotaville Press. His fortune came in 1998 when Sechaba Printing successfully sued the state-owned enterprise Transnet, resulting in a R57.65 million payout that instantly made him a millionaire.
- The Age of “Bling”: In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Mthembu became known for his extravagant lifestyle. He established Umsobo Investment Holdings and acquired luxury assets, including a penthouse in Melrose Arch. This period of opulence peaked in the mid-2000s when he began a relationship with a young, aspiring actress and TV personality, Khanyi Mbau.
- Marriage and Public Scrutiny: In 2006, Mthembu married Khanyi Mbau in a lavish traditional ceremony. Their relationship, marked by a 30-year age gap, became a tabloid sensation. The couple defined the “bling” era with their matching yellow Lamborghinis and a high-profile lifestyle. Their daughter, Khanukani “Khanz” Mbau, was born on December 24, 2006.
- Financial and Personal Turmoil: By 2008, Mthembu’s fortune began to unravel. He faced severe financial woes, including the repossession of luxury cars and properties and an accumulation of traffic fines. Simultaneously, he was embroiled in a legal battle with his ex-wife, Dolly Matshabe, over child maintenance, which led to a court-ordered arrest warrant. The couple’s public image shattered, leading to a tumultuous divorce in 2009.
- The Final Years: After his divorce from Khanyi Mbau, Mthembu largely withdrew from the public eye. He reportedly relocated to New York, where he continued to engage in quiet business ventures while maintaining a low profile. He deactivated his social media and was rarely seen publicly. Rumors of his health struggles and estrangement from his children persisted in the media.
- A Quiet End: Mandla Mthembu died in a New York hospital on September 21, 2025, from complications of a second stroke. His body is expected to be returned to Soweto for burial. As news of his passing spread, tributes and reflections on his dramatic life poured in online under the hashtag #RIPMandlaMthembu.
