Babes Wodumo Opens Up About Rebuilding Her Life and Music Career After Mampintsha’s Death

Gqom star Babes Wodumo has shared an emotional account of the difficult journey she has faced since the death of her husband and longtime music partner, Mampintsha. The singer revealed that rebuilding her life and career has been one of the greatest challenges she has ever experienced. Losing both a husband and a business partner left her carrying responsibilities she never expected to face alone. Despite the heartbreak, Babes has chosen to continue fighting for her future and for the well-being of her young son. Her story highlights the emotional and professional struggles that can follow the loss of a loved one while showing the determination needed to move forward.

Babes Wodumo, whose real name is Bongekile Simelane, explained that she was unprepared to manage the businesses she and her late husband had built together. Before his passing, the couple worked closely on their music, performances and business ventures. Mampintsha, whose real name was Mandla Maphumulo, played a major role in both their personal lives and professional success. His sudden death at the age of 40 in December 2022 left Babes facing an uncertain future. She admitted that adjusting to life without him was far more difficult than she had imagined because he had always been her partner in every aspect of their careers.

The award-winning artist revealed that there was a time when she nearly gave up completely. Grieving while trying to manage work became emotionally exhausting, and she struggled to find the motivation to continue. However, everything changed when she focused on her young son, who depended entirely on her. She explained that her son was too young to understand why his father was no longer around or why his mother was overwhelmed with grief. That realization gave her the strength to keep pushing forward, even when every day felt like a battle.

Speaking honestly about that painful period, Babes said her son became her greatest source of motivation. She explained that while she was mourning, life did not stop and her responsibilities as a mother continued. She said, “My son needed to eat. He was too young to understand that his daddy, who was a pillar of strength, was gone. He didn’t understand the frustration I was going through as a young mum and widow. So, I had to be strong and start working, although it was hard.” Her words paint a clear picture of the pressure she faced while balancing grief, motherhood and the need to earn a living through her music career.

Babes also spoke about the disappointment she experienced from people she believed would stand beside her during her darkest moments. Without naming anyone, she admitted that some individuals she trusted did not provide the support she had expected after Mampintsha’s death. She stressed that she was not blaming anyone, but acknowledged that the experience taught her valuable lessons about relying on others. At the same time, she expressed deep gratitude to the family members and friends who remained by her side. She specifically thanked her sister, Nondu, for offering constant support throughout the difficult period.

As Babes struggled privately, many fans noticed visible changes in her appearance and career. Social media users expressed concern about her noticeable weight loss and questioned why she was no longer as active in the music industry. Supporters also worried that one of South Africa’s biggest gqom stars was slowly disappearing from the spotlight. Babes explained that those changes were a direct result of her struggle to accept that her husband was truly gone. The emotional pain affected every part of her life, including her health, confidence and ability to focus on creating new music.

The singer reflected on the strong musical partnership she shared with Mampintsha before his passing. Together they released popular songs including Angisona and Khona Iy’ngane Lay’ndlini, helping shape the sound of modern gqom music in South Africa. Their chemistry extended beyond marriage and into the recording studio, where they built successful careers together. Losing that partnership forced Babes to rediscover herself as a solo artist while carrying the emotional weight of grief. She admitted that rebuilding her confidence has taken time because nothing feels the same without him.

Although Babes acknowledges that returning to the music industry has not been easy, she remains determined to succeed once again. She believes her talent has not disappeared even though circumstances have changed dramatically. Speaking confidently about her abilities, she said, “I know that ngiyinja [I’m good at what I do], but things are no longer the same.” She added that her faith in God continues to give her hope for the future. According to Babes, she believes God will guide her back to success and help her shine once more despite the setbacks she has endured.

Babes Wodumo has also continued to honor Mampintsha’s memory since his passing. She regularly shares heartfelt tributes and speaks openly about the impact he had on her life and career. On 27 June, she marked what would have been his birthday by sending him a touching heavenly birthday message. These public tributes demonstrate that although she is working to rebuild her future, she continues to cherish the memories they created together. Her willingness to speak openly about grief has also resonated with many people who have experienced similar losses.

Babes Wodumo’s journey is one of resilience, determination and hope despite overwhelming personal loss. Her story shows that rebuilding a life after tragedy requires patience, courage and the support of loved ones. While she continues to mourn the loss of Mampintsha, she is also focused on raising her son and restoring the music career they once built together. She believes her faith, her talent and her commitment to her family will help her overcome the obstacles that remain. As she works toward a fresh chapter, fans will be watching with hope that the gqom queen once again finds success while honoring the legacy of the man who stood beside her for so many years.