The saga of Khanyi Mbau and her ex-partner, Kudzai Mushonga, continues to unfold dramatically in the digital public square, with Mushonga recently igniting a massive social media firestorm.

The source of the outrage? Mushonga’s highly publicised celebration of his new girlfriend’s birthday, which he used as an opportunity to seemingly throw pointed shade at Mbau, focusing specifically on their seven-year age gap.

For those following the turbulent relationship between Mbau, the veteran South African media personality, and Mushonga, the Zimbabwean businessman, the separation itself was already a dramatic event, often playing out in real-time across international platforms, particularly during their time in Dubai.

The most recent development, however, has drawn widespread condemnation for what many perceive as a distasteful and disrespectful move by Mushonga.

Just last month, in October 2025, Khanyi Mbau celebrated her 40th birthday.

Reports and Mushonga’s own public statements around that time hinted at a man deeply committed to Mbau.

In fact, Mushonga was reportedly talking about marriage and was said to be planning a grand surprise for her, which he referenced when explaining a “secretive call” he had made.

The narrative he pushed then was one of enduring love and commitment.

Fast forward less than a month, and the storyline has taken a sharp, bitter turn.

Mushonga is not only publicly displaying a new relationship but is actively using the celebration of his new partner’s birthday to contrast her with Mbau in a manner that the public has deemed deeply unflattering.

Mushonga took to social media to celebrate his new girlfriend’s 33rd birthday.

He posted a picture of himself covering her face and captioned it, “Happy 33rd birthday, my love.”

He added, “Today is your day, my princess.

Wishing you more.”

He did not, however, stop at the conventional birthday message.

It was the calculated inclusion of a specific phrase that sent the internet into a meltdown.

In one post, he wrote, “Two same age scorpions.”

This seemingly simple line was understood by thousands of followers as a direct, stinging jab at Mbau.

The public immediately connected the dots: Khanyi Mbau is 40 years old, while Kudzai Mushonga is 33 years old.

His new girlfriend, whom he was celebrating, is also 33 years old, making her the same age as him.

The deliberate phrasing was interpreted as an age-shaming tactic, subtly celebrating his new partner for being age-appropriate, which implicitly criticised Mbau for being the older partner in their previous relationship.

The shade did not end there.

Mushonga continued to pour praise on his new partner in a verbose and elaborate post, further detailing her perceived virtues in a way that many felt was a backhanded comparison to Mbau.

He wrote, “Happy birthday, princess.

Happy birthday.

Wishing you more.

Bona 8th November is a special day for by love.

Help me wish a happy 33rd birthday to my love.

You are adorable, loving, caring, and so humble.

What can I possible gift a woman that has everything like you? Being with you feels like I won a lottery.

I can’t mention because everyone would try to steal my ticket.

You are everything any man can dream to have.

beautiful, intelligent, well educated, corporate, successful.

I love you, baby.

Happy birthday, my princess.”

The commentary on this post was swift and severe.

While on the surface it is a tribute, the public backlash centred on the gratuitous and almost defensive need to list her qualities—”intelligent, well educated, corporate, successful”—immediately after referencing the age difference.

This highly detailed list was seen as an unnecessary, passive-aggressive attempt to elevate the new partner at the expense of his former lover.

The general sentiment expressed by fans and onlookers mirrored the host of the video: a profound dislike for the “man acting like a girl” by engaging in petty, public shade-throwing.

The hypocrisy was glaringly obvious to observers: less than a month ago, Mushonga was proclaiming his love and intent to marry Mbau.

Now, he is using the platform to highlight the exact characteristics—age and career type—that his new partner possesses, which his ex does not.

The overwhelming conclusion from the public is relief for Mbau.

The consensus is that Khanyi Mbau made the right decision in leaving the relationship.

The display of immaturity and public cattiness, coupled with the rapid pivot from marital talks to age-shaming, cemented the view that Mbau is better off without this partner.

The sentiment was captured succinctly by the phrase, “I’m so glad I’m so glad Kimbo left this man because what the what.”

This incident serves as a glaring example of how swiftly celebrity relationships can sour and how ex-partners can use social media, not just to move on, but to rewrite their narrative at the expense of a former love.

Mushonga’s actions have earned him public scorn, while simultaneously vindicating Khanyi Mbau’s decision to walk away.