Exclusive: Khanyi Mbau on filming between Amsterdam and Joburg

South African actress Khanyi Mbau explained how she filmed between Amsterdam and Johannesburg for two different shows in an exclusive interview with The South African.

Khanyi Mbau was unmasked as Chopsticks on the finale of The Masked Singer SA season three, which aired on Saturday 26 September 2026 at 19:00 on SABC 2.

FILMING IN AMSTERDAM

Khanyi revealed that during the shooting of The Masked Singer SA season three in Johannesburg, she also had work in Amsterdam, Netherlands. So, when she was not shooting in Johannesburg she would be flying to Amsterdam and did the back and forth. She explained that intially there was two teams which made the travelling easier.

“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. And then once I’m done there, catch the evening flight,” she said exclusively to The South African.

“So, when I land in the morning, I’m back in the studio to become Chopsticks,” she continued.

Whe asked how she managed the jet lag, Khanyi explained that she was flying business class so she could sleep flat and she would also take her vitamins. She also went on to say that when you love what you do, you don’t mind the time it takes to get things done.

“I made sure I took melatonin so I could sleep on that flight. It was a nice business class flight so I could sleep flat and I would get home, take my vitamins and then we go,” she said.

“You know when you love what you do, you don’t care how tired you ar eor how much time it takes. I love what I do,” she said.

KHANYI MBAU ON HER BROTHER ALSO BEING ON THE SHOW

The actress also expressed that she was proud of herself for making it into the finale of the series. Khanyi was unmasked as Chopsticks. Gogga was unmasked as Judith Sephuma. Mosquito was the runner-up and unmasked as Robot Boii. Bontle Modiselle bagged the win as Spotty.

“I’ve won. People say ‘but you didn’t make it to number 1,’ look I made it to the final. Which means there is really something in me artisically that makes sense. And also, the four people that I was in the finale with, are people I genuinely like. So, it was really like a party. When we unmasked and we realised it was us, it was incrediable,” she said exclusively to The South African.

Khanyi’s half-brother Lasizwe Dambuza was also on the show. He was unmasked earlier on as sushi. Khanyi revealed that she had no idea her brother was also on the show due to her busy schedule at the time. The siblings share the he same father, the late Menzi Mcunu.

“Look, I hadn’t spoke to him because I was busy. I was flying up and down. He was busy. We just never crossed paths. He was put in a different group. So, that’s why it was difficult for us to see each other. But if we were in the same group… I would have smelt him. Because I know what he smells like, I would have said ‘you are my brother,” she continued.

The actress also went on to say that siblings are competitive and she was excited to essentially “beat” him in the competition. She also felt he must have figured out it was her when he watched her on screen.

“Siblings are competitive. And the fact is, 40-year-old me, could still dance like that. You can’t eat a chopstick,” said.

Many social media users thought it was obvious that Lasizwe was under the mask of sushi after his performance of Babes Wodumo’s Umngan’wami. Take a look…

@sabc2_ Thank you @lasizwe for the cool performances 😊 Catch up on @MaskedSingerSA on sabc-plus.com #SABC2 #MaskedSingerSA #trendingvideo #fyp #viral ♬ original sound – SABC 2

DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM HER DAUGHTER

Khanyi also went on to say that she drew inspiration from her daughter Khanukani Mbau when creating the character of Chopsticks.

“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. Chopsticks is global and it is viewed as a delicate cuisine. Forks can cut bum, forks can cut potatoes. I think it really fits me. And the costume reminds me off my daughter,” she said.

“That’s where I got the personality. That whole cuteness. I remembered what my child used to do when she hears music, how she would walk when I hold her hand. So, I then just placed that all around her. She’s 20 now. I drew inspiration from baby her,” she continued.

Khanyi said her favourite song she performed on the show this season was APT by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars. This was performed as a duet with Mosquito, who was unmasked as Robot Boii. Khanyi revealed that Robot Boii is her cousin.

“We had fun doing that… because he is my cousin. He’s my blood cousin. When I realised I was actually doing the finale with my brother, we literally had fun,” she said.

“He is a professional, he take shis craft seriously. He knows the lighting, he knows the beat, he knows where he needs to be. I’m the one who was falling over his coat, falling over his shoes, but he would always be there to catch me. And, I think he’s just going to go super far, and he’s the sweetest soul ever.”

Khanyi also praised Bontle for her win.

“Bontle, you have come so far. I remember when she was still coming into the industry and she had this fire, she was a dancer for Somizi. You could just see she’s a superstar and 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. And look at it now. Congratulations! Ride the wave,” she said.