Award-winning Gqom singer Babes Wodumo, also known as Bongekile Simelane, has found herself at the centre of rumours once again.
This time, it’s about her alleged relationship with fellow musician Sabelo Zuma. But Babes, being the witty and strong woman that she is, has indirectly responded to these rumours in her own unique way.
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It’s been over a year since Babes lost her husband, Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo, and she is still mourning his passing.
In a recent interview, she addressed the rumours surrounding her love life, saying, “I am still mourning my husband. Other days are tough, but every day I am fighting. I have a child to take care of, and my family is my priority.”
Mampintsha, a member of the popular kwaito group Big Nuz, passed away in December 2022 after suffering from a stroke. He and Babes share a two-year-old son named Hlelolenkosi “Sponge” Maphumulo.
Despite the rumours, Babes made it clear that her focus right now is on her family and healing.
But that’s not all Babes addressed in the interview. She also briefly touched on the body shaming comments she has been receiving due to her weight gain. In her typical sassy style, she said, “Uyabazi abantu banjani (you know how people are).
I am still the same Babes. I am growing up, and my body is changing, but I dance a lot and take care of myself. No one can take away what God has given me. I will always be a star. You fall once and get up again.”
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In November of last year, Babes opened up about the heartbreaking moment she found out about her husband’s passing. The pain and grief were evident as she recalled the details of that fateful day.
“When I arrived [at the hospital], they had covered him with something white that had a zip,” Babes said, wiping away tears. “I said to them, ‘My man can’t breathe.’ They unzipped the cadaver bag.”
She also shared a bittersweet memory of her husband. Mampintsha used to tell her that she should take a picture of him if he were to pass away first. In turn, she told him to do the same if she were to go before him. Little did they know that those words would become a haunting reality.
“I was there, feeling like I’m losing my mind. My sister was there, Icebolethu Funerals was also there. I slept for two hours… for two hours, I laid on his chest,” Babes revealed. “After two hours, they took him. I left with them, and I kept telling them, ‘You’re hurting him.’ I was not in the right state of mind. I kept looking for cameras, thinking it was all just a prank.”
Despite the pain and loss she has experienced, Babes is determined to keep moving forward. She has been working on new music with different people and hopes to release it this year.
Only time will tell what the future holds for Babes Wodumo. But one thing is for sure, she is a star who will continue to shine no matter what challenges come her way. She has shown resilience in the face of adversity and has proven that she is not defined by rumors or body shaming comments.
As she said herself, “You fall once and get up again.” And that’s exactly what Babes Wodumo is doing.
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