KwaMashu, north of Durban, was the setting for a poignant tribute to the late Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo this past Sunday, 15 December, during the 10th annual INK-KASI Xperience.
The event saw gqom queen Babes Wodumo, Mampintsha's widow, visibly moved as the crowd remembered the iconic Big Nuz member who passed away in December 2022.
Performing at the Princess Magogo Stadium, Babes Wodumo, whose real name is Bongekile Simelane, openly expressed her grief and longing for her late husband.
Overwhelmed with emotion, she shared her heartache with the audience: “Mampintsha died on 24 December and I can’t enjoy Christmas on 25 December. Please pray for me and give me love,” she said as tears streamed down her face.
The raw emotion of her performance resonated deeply with the crowd, underscoring the enduring impact of Mampintsha's passing.
The emotional performance was followed by a touching surprise orchestrated by event organiser Philani “Splash” Ngwenya. Ngwenya, recognising the significance of Mampintsha’s contribution to the INK-KASI Xperience – "We have this biggest event here because of Mampintsha. He is the one who said the event must happen in KwaMashu. I realised that we should remember him and we decided to surprise Babes Wodumo," he explained as he presented Babes with a portrait of her late husband.
The atmosphere was further charged by the playing of some of Mampintsha's most beloved songs, a musical tribute that amplified the emotional weight of the occasion. Babes Wodumo, visibly moved by the gesture, was unable to contain her tears.
The event served as a powerful reminder of Mampintsha's legacy and the profound impact he had on the South African music scene. His influence extended beyond his musical contributions, shaping the very location of the INK-KASI Xperience. The tribute highlighted not only his artistic achievements but also his personal connections within the community.
This public display of grief comes several months after Babes Wodumo addressed rumours of a new relationship following the death of her husband. In August of this year, she took to Instagram Live, appearing in lingerie with a male companion, sparking speculation of a new romance.
However, she quickly dispelled these rumours, emphasizing her continued loyalty to Mampintsha: “Bayasangana (they are mad), I’m not dating him. We are friends and he is gay. I was married to Mampintsha; he was my husband; I can’t just date for the sake of dating. There are certain things I need to do and announce to my family before that,” she clarified.
Earlier this year, Babes Wodumo was also linked to former member of the group Amaroto, Zuma. However, a close friend revealed to ZiMoja that this relationship was short-lived due to Zuma's alleged infidelity: “It did not last,’ the friend told ZiMoja.
“He had multiple girls, so that was never going to work. Babes is a loyal hun.” Babes herself denied the relationship, stating: “He is my brother that one. People will always have something to say about me; I am used to it. I’m a star,” she added.
