Babes Wodumo Biography. Babes Wodumo is a South African singer, dancer, and performer, born as Bongekile Simelane on March 26, 1994, in the township of Lamontville, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.
Babes Wodumo Biography
Babes Wodumo began her career as a dancer and backup singer for local artists in Durban. She became widely recognized after the release of her hit single “Wololo” in 2016, featuring Mampintsha, who later became her fiancé.
In 2017, she released her debut album, “Gqom Queen, Vol. 1,” which was well received and led to her winning multiple awards, including Best Female Artist at the South African Music Awards in 2018.
Babes Wodumo has been known for popularizing the Gqom music genre, a subgenre of house music that originated in Durban. Her energetic and captivating performances have made her a fan favorite in South Africa and beyond.
In addition to her music career, Babes Wodumo has also been involved in various controversies, including allegations of physical abuse by her fiancé Mampintsha in 2019. The incident sparked outrage in South Africa and raised awareness about domestic violence.
Despite the controversies, Babes Wodumo remains a prominent figure in South African music and continues to release new music and perform on various platforms.
Babes Wodumo Career
Babes Wodumo, whose real name is Bongekile Simelane, is a South African singer and dancer who rose to fame in 2016 with her hit song “Wololo”. She was born on March 25, 1994, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Babes Wodumo started her music career in the early 2010s as a member of a local music group called “Wololo Queens”. In 2015, she released her first single, “Sponono Sam”, which gained some popularity in South Africa. However, it was her second single, “Wololo”, that catapulted her to fame in 2016. The song became an instant hit, earning her multiple awards and nominations, and establishing her as a leading figure in the South African music scene.
Since then, Babes Wodumo has released several other popular songs, including “Mercedes” and “Ka Dazz”. She has also collaborated with other notable South African artists such as Mampintsha, Distruction Boyz, and Cassper Nyovest.
In addition to her music career, Babes Wodumo is also a talented dancer, and her energetic dance moves have become a trademark of her performances. She has also appeared on several television shows in South Africa, including the reality show “Uthando Nes’thembu” and the music show “Live Amp”.
Babes Wodumo personal life
Babes Wodumo was born as Bongekile Simelane in Lamontville, a township in Durban, South Africa. She was raised in a family of musicians, and her parents were members of a gospel group called “Amadenda.”
In 2018, Babes Wodumo got engaged to fellow musician Mampintsha, whose real name is Mandla Maphumulo. The couple had been together for several years, and they have collaborated on many music projects.
However, their relationship was marred by controversy, including allegations of physical abuse. In 2019, a video of Mampintsha assaulting Babes Wodumo went viral on social media, leading to widespread outrage and condemnation.
The incident sparked a national conversation about domestic violence and raised awareness about the issue in South Africa. Babes Wodumo later laid charges against Mampintsha, and the case went to court. In July 2019, Mampintsha was found guilty of assault and was sentenced to community service and counseling.
Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha relationship
Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha, whose real name is Mandla Maphumulo, had been in a relationship for several years. They first met when Babes Wodumo was a backup dancer for Mampintsha’s former music group, Big Nuz.
The couple’s relationship has been marred by controversy, including allegations of physical abuse. In March 2019, a video of Mampintsha assaulting Babes Wodumo went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage and condemnation.
The incident led to Mampintsha being arrested and charged with assault. Babes Wodumo also laid charges against him, and the case went to court. In July 2019, Mampintsha was found guilty of assault and was sentenced to community service and counseling.
Babes Wodumo husband
In 2020, Babes Wodumo married Mandla Maphumulo. They had their first child in 2021, even though Babes’ parents were unaware. They had a reality show called “uthando lodumo,” which debuted on Showmax.
Babes and Mampintsha were known for being extremely protective of their son, rarely showing their bundle of joy to the public.
Babes and Mampintsha in Uthando Lodumo
The legendary Gqom performer and choreographer Babes Wodumo and her quick-witted husband, music producer Mampintsha, were the subjects of the sensational reality show’s debut season.
Babes, who is now 28 years old, and Mampintsha, first met in 2013, when Babes was a young musician looking to break big in the business. Babes was eventually managed by Mampintsha, who also helped her navigate the challenging local music scene. By the time Babes was 22, sparks were starting to fly between the two of them. Thus, news began to spread about Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha’s tumultuous yet passionate love. Many people were surprised by Babes and Mampintsha’s marriage in April 2021, most notably Babes’ family, with her father Reverend Welcome Simelane being the most vociferous.
The majority of Uthando Lodumo’s first season was devoted to Babes and her then-fiance Mampintsha attempting to persuade their families to peacefully gather around the table for lobola discussions. Many times, the situation became tense, and on numerous occasions, the two families flat-out refused to speak to one another. Babes and Mampintsha were however adamant about getting married in spite of the conflicts between their families and the flipping of wigs.
The setting for Uthando Lodumo’s second season is Babes and Mampintsha’s home. Fans were invited into their home as they adjust to married life and raise their son, affectionately known as Sponge, in a chaotic, loud, and unpredictable environment.
Babes Wodumo Net Worth
Some estimates place Babes’ net worth at around just over R1.7 million, while other sources claim she’s worth closer to R17 million.
Babes Wodumo is a popular and successful musician in South Africa, and she has earned significant income from her music career. Her hit single “Wololo” was a massive success, and her debut album “Gqom Queen, Vol. 1” was also well-received. She has also won several awards for her music, including Best Female Artist at the South African Music Awards in 2018. Additionally, she has been involved in various endorsement deals and collaborations with other brands. Overall, Babes Wodumo is considered to be one of the top artists in the Gqom music genre and has undoubtedly accumulated a significant net worth throughout her career.
