South African gqom star Babes Wodumo has shared emotional details about the final moments she spent with her late husband, Big Nuz member Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo, before his passing on December 24, 2022.
Mampintsha’s Final Days
In the latest episode of her reality show, Wena Wodumo on Moja Love, Babes Wodumo revealed that when Mampintsha suffered a minor stroke, they faced financial difficulties as they did not have medical aid coverage.
“We said we don’t have medical aid, we will use cash. While he was in King Edward Hospital, we received money. It was about R150,000,” Babes recounted.
With the funds they managed to secure, they moved Mampintsha to Durdoc Hospital for further medical care.
“When I arrived at Durdoc, they put him in the ICU,” she said.
Babes recalled how she spent countless nights at the hospital, staying by her husband’s bedside.
“They told me to rush to the hospital. I rushed back, and I had just left the hospital. I’d sleep there from six o’clock to six o’clock. I covered myself with a blanket, and I looked over at him and waved, and he waved back.”
That moment, though simple, would turn out to be their final exchange.
“I then thought, let me go bath. When I left to bath, he died.”
The Aftermath of Mampintsha’s Death
After Mampintsha’s funeral on December 30, 2022, Babes Wodumo was forced to come to terms with the painful reality of losing her husband. Now, she faces life as a single mother to their two-year-old son while trying to rebuild her life.
Her sister, Nondumiso Simelane, spoke to TshisaLIVE, revealing how Babes was struggling to process the loss of her beloved partner.
“The sad thing is the bed is empty, and she needs to take up more responsibilities. Babes is strong. What I like about her is that she didn’t change her character.”
But even with her strength, Babes found herself calling out for Mampintsha, only to be met with silence.
Babes Wodumo
A Love That Shaped Her Career
Mampintsha wasn’t just Babes Wodumo’s husband; he was also her mentor and biggest supporter in the music industry.
During his memorial service, Babes’ father reflected on how Mampintsha played a crucial role in her rise to fame.
“Babes, in this journey of music, was put into it by Mampintsha. He trained and taught her because Babes used to be a model in eThekwini. Before I knew it, there goes Babes into music with Mampintsha.”
He credited Mampintsha with grooming Babes into the superstar she is today.
“I will never forget him because he groomed my child to be the successful star she is today. He succeeded in doing that.”
Frene Ginwala
Life After Mampintsha
Since Mampintsha’s passing, Babes Wodumo has been navigating life as a widow and single mother, all while dealing with grief in the public eye. The loss has been overwhelming, but those closest to her say she is determined to move forward.
While she continues to honor Mampintsha’s legacy, she is also focused on raising their son and ensuring that her music career remains on track.
Her reality show, Wena Wodumo, gives fans a glimpse into her healing process and the challenges of adjusting to life without Mampintsha. Through tears, strength, and resilience, Babes is proving that she is not giving up—on herself, her son, or the music career that she and Mampintsha built together.
Though the pain of losing her husband is still fresh, Babes Wodumo is slowly finding her way in a world without him.