Actress Khanyi Mbau said she flew back and forth between Johannesburg and Amsterdam while filming The Masked Singer SA season three. She spoke about it in an exclusive interview with The South African.
Mbau was unmasked as Chopsticks in the season finale. The episode aired on SABC 2 at 19:00 on Saturday, 26 September 2026.
“Production was really kind. So, we had two teams, before we merged the teams. Everytime another team had to shoot, I would have to fly out that night when I wrapped, to go to Amsterdam to do what I needed to do with Netflix,” she told The South African.
She said she would then take an evening flight home. “So, when I land in the morning, I’m back in the studio to become Chopsticks,” she said.
Mbau said she handled the jet lag by flying business class, so she could sleep flat. She said she also took melatonin on the flights and vitamins when she got home.
“You know when you love what you do, you don’t care how tired you are or how much time it takes. I love what I do,” she said.
Bontle Modiselle won the season as Spotty. Robot Boii was the runner up as Mosquito, and Judith Sephuma was unmasked as Gogga.
Mbau said she was proud to reach the final. “I’ve won. People say ‘but you didn’t make it to number 1,’ look I made it to the final,” she said.
Her half brother, Lasizwe Dambuza, also took part in the show. He was unmasked earlier in the season as Sushi. The two share the same father, the late Menzi Mcunu.
Mbau said she did not know he was on the show because she was so busy. She said he was also placed in a different group, so they never crossed paths.
“Siblings are competitive. And the fact is, 40-year-old me, could still dance like that,” she said.
The actress said her daughter, Khanukani Mbau, inspired the Chopsticks character. She said she remembered how her daughter moved to music as a baby. Her daughter is now 20.
“Chopsticks is a rare utensil, globally, every country has a story. Every country has a knife and a fork. But not many can use chopsticks,” she said.
Mbau said her favourite performance of the season was APT by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars. She sang it as a duet with Mosquito. She revealed that Robot Boii is her cousin.
“He is a professional, he takes his craft seriously. He knows the lighting, he knows the beat, he knows where he needs to be,” she said.
Mbau also praised the winner. She said she remembered Modiselle coming into the industry as a dancer for Somizi.
“I love the fact that she never gave up. Because she obviously also had her adversities, difficulties because it’s hard, but she has waited her turn,” Mbau said.
Source: this article is based on reporting by The South African. Image: The South African. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Entertainment desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Rirhandzu Baloyi writes about entertainment for Tzaneen Voice. Rirhandzu covers South African music, film, TV, streaming, awards and celebrity news, from amapiano and local soapies to Showmax and Netflix releases. Stories stick to what happened, who was involved and when fans can watch or listen.