The self-proclaimed Gqom queen, Babes Wodumo, has made it clear that she will not allow the name of her late husband, Mampintshato, to be exploited for financial gain.
Mampintshato, whose real name is Mandla Maphumulo, passed away in December 2022 after suffering a stroke. Since his passing, his widow, Babes, has been open about how the loss has affected her; she later also had a tattoo done in remembrance of the late producer and member of Big Nuz.
According to the news and entertainment publication TshisaLive, the singer recently took to social media, sharing frustration with the entertainment industry for organising tribute concerts in his honour, yet failing to inform her as his wife. She also alleged that she had not received a single cent from these concerts and accused the industry of using Mampintshato’s name as exploitation to fill their own pockets.
“Nothing breaks my heart and soul more than this kwi industry. A tribute to Mampintsha , but no-one spoke to me about it, everyone just wants to use his name for their pockets. I have been saying I want to do a tribute event for baba ka Sponge, suddenly everyone wants to do it without consulting me, and this has to stop!” she wrote.
“I’m tired of calling people asking them to stop what they are doing. For those who would say: ‘But it’s just an event’, OK, imali iya kubani? Arts, culture, how did you approve this without our approval? Did you do the groundwork and check?”
The singer also addressed fellow musician, DJ Tira, who had close ties to their family and a long friendship with Mampintshato, urging him to support their family by playing his part in protecting his friend’s legacy.
Also see: Family over everything, Babes Wodumo’s emotional reunion with father-in-law
