Gqom queen Babes Wodumo, whose real name is Bongekile Simelane, is facing a crossroads in her career.
The once-dominant force in the South African music scene is now seeking to reclaim her former glory after a tumultuous period marked by scandal and the loss of her husband, Mampintsha.
It's been almost two years since the award-winning artist was widowed when the man she had loved for years, musician Mampintsha (whose given name was Mandla Maphumulo), died on Christmas Eve in 2022.
The pain of losing her soulmate has been a heavy burden to bear, but Babes is slowly finding her way back to the light.
"You can never heal from losing a man you’ve loved for over 11 years – you can only accept the pain and deal with it daily," she says, her voice tinged with a quiet strength.
The journey has been arduous, a constant battle against grief and the weight of carrying on without her partner. Raising their son, Nhlanhla, born in June 2021, without his father has been particularly challenging.
"Raising Nhlanhla without his father has been hard, but my family’s really hands-on and makes sure he remembers his dad every day. He even remembers Mampintsha’s voice. Whenever he hears it on videos or music being played, he shouts out: ‘Ubaba lo!’ [‘That’s Daddy!’].”
Babes has found solace in the unwavering support of her family, who have been her rock during this difficult time. She has also leaned on her faith, finding comfort in prayer.
“I pray a lot. Some days my sister Nondu would find me crying alone in the studio. She’d play my husband’s songs and just hold my hand, dance and crack jokes. She made it much easier for me to get through the pain,” she shares.
“The days spiralled me into depression. It was crazy, but my family understood and made sure I took my time, healing in my own way. I’m very grateful for that. It makes me wonder about those who go into depression and have no one to support them. No wonder there are so many suicide cases.”
Babes has also found strength in her fans, who have been with her since the beginning of her career. She decided to be transparent about her grief, sharing her journey with them on social media, in the hope of helping others going through similar experiences.
“Being quiet is what takes you deeper into depression. Yes, some people laughed at me or criticised how I interacted on Instagram, but I don’t care, because it helped me. One thing about my fans is that they’ll drag anyone to the ocean in order to have them leave me alone.”
“They love me very much and don’t mind saying so over and over again, to remind me that [they care about me] and always will."
The SA Music Awards nominee is now ready to take the next step in her journey, both personally and professionally. She is gearing up to release an EP, a project that has been two years in the making.
"Emotionally, it’s taken its toll on me. I had to sit for over two years with this project in order to gain strength mentally, emotionally and physically, because it was my first project without my pillar of strength. At times, I’d listen to my songs and just be an emotional wreck because, when I enter my studio, it hits me that he’s really gone. However, life moves on and I know he’ll always be with me, every day and at all times,” she says.
The album, which features gqom, amapiano and bacardi artists, will be launched soon in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. She is also planning to release a song and a music video next month.
Babes is also shooting a spin-off of Uthando Lodumo, a reality show she had with her late husband. Now that she is alone, the show will be renamed Wena Wodumo, as she is starting a new chapter.
“People must expect me to be open about my journey without my late husband. I’m sure everyone’s curious about what my life’s like without him. I won’t leave out anything. It will have changes, because now it’s only about me, my son Sponge Wodumo [Nhlanhla], my family and in-laws.”
She says: "People will see what happened after my husband left us."
After releasing her own music, the Durban muso will also put out her late husband’s EP. She adds that some of the songs Mampintsha left will be given to their son when he is older.
Babes's journey has been one of immense loss and resilience. She has faced criticism and doubt, but she has emerged stronger, ready to reclaim her place in the South African music scene. Her upcoming projects are a testament to her determination and her unwavering love for music.
However, Babes's return to the spotlight has not been without its challenges. Last week, she left fans and a venue owner fuming after failing to make an appearance at a scheduled event at Amigo’s Bar and Grill in Randburg, Johannesburg.
The venue was packed with fans who had travelled from near and far, eager to see the Gqom queen perform. According to ZiMOJA, guests, including media personality Kea Mofolo, expressed their disappointment, noting they waited until midnight before giving up hope. Fans had hoped for an explanation on social media but received none.
The venue owner, Moss, expressed his disappointment over Babes Wodumo’s absence, noting it tarnished the venue’s reputation for reliability.
“It’s not a good look for us as a venue. We have built trust amongst our patrons and they know we only aim to deliver the best. But it’s disheartening when an artist doesn’t show up,” Moss told the publication.
Babes Wodumo has reportedly turned to renowned music promoter Dogg DBN, whose real name is Lindo Buthelezi, for assistance in reviving her struggling career. Dogg DBN, known for his massive collaborations with other South African musicians like Thukzin whom he helped to rise to prominence, is believed to be a trusted confidant for Babes in her difficult journey.
"Babes Wodumo realised she needed serious help. After the death of her husband, Mampintsha, she was left frustrated. Mampintsha was instrumental in launching her career and ensuring it thrived. His absence has led her to approach Dogg DBN for support," a source explained.
Another source revealed that Babes, who, in addition to being a musician, is also a reality TV star, is not just sitting back for things to happen automatically.
"She is a strong woman. She detests pity, but pride alone is of little help. That's why she sought assistance. She has faith in Dogg DBN, having previously worked with Mampintsha," the source added.
Dogg DBN, in a bid to help Babes Wodumo return to her former glory, took to Facebook to ask music fans for ideas that could help the singer make a drastic comeback.
One of the Facebook users, Meluleki Ngcobo, said: "Isistera (her sister) needs to be professional first. Having your sister/relative/partner as a manager doesn't normally work out. She has had many setbacks lately due to this and she needs to understand that too. She needs a good PR team."
Babes Wodumo's journey is far from over. She is facing new challenges, but she is determined to overcome them and continue to make music that inspires and moves people. She is a survivor, a fighter, and a mother, and she is ready to take on the world.
