Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule defends Babes dancing at memorial.

They were best friends and dance partners. At the Thursday memorial service for the late musician Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo, the Maphumulos were described in these terms.

At the service, when a recently released song by Big Nuz ft. DJ Yamza, “Ngeke,” was playing, Mampintsha’s widow Babes Wodumo got up to dance.

Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule defends Babes dancing at memorial.

When she stood up, the eThekwini Community Church (ECC) exploded in applause, which caused her name to soar up the Twitter trends list.

The video received mixed reactions.

Co-founder of the Crown Gospel Music Awards and entrepreneur Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule came out in support of Babes when she faced backlash.

“I see people debating about Babes dancing at Mampintsha’s memorial. I get you girl. This was your language with your hubby. Strength to you and the family,” she wrote on her Instagram timeline.

The businesswoman’s mentions were filled with comments from people standing with Babes.

“Oh Nkosiyami ngoBabes. God will see her through. Dance all you like, nana. Dance and sing the pain away,” wrote actress Winnie Ntshaba.

“Baphambene, this was their unique language of love. Mvalelise ngendlela yakho wena Babes u myeni wakho. Keeping you in my prayers,” wrote Nhlanhla Mafu

The father of Babes praised Mampintsha as he stood at the stage on Thursday.

Mampintsha and Babes, according to him, were meant to be together.

“Babes, in this journey of music, was put into it by Mampintsha. He trained and taught her because Babes used to be a model here in eThekwini. Before I know it there goes Babes into music with Mampintsha.

“I will never forget him because he groomed my child to be the successful star she is today. He succeeded in doing that.

“There are very few people who, when they love their women, groom them. For that reason he has left her with bread. She is able to sustain herself. Mandla built Babes and for that I’m thankful.”