Musician and dancer Bongekile Simelane, popularly known as Babes Wodumo, carved a name for herself and moved the music industry with an undeniable presence and blazing hot tunes.
After taking a break from singing after she lost her husband Mandla ‘Mampintsha’ Maphumulo, who passed away in December 2022 after a minor stroke, she has made a highly-anticipated comeback.
Babes recently sat down with BONA to share how the loss of her husband has affected her music, and particularly her upcoming album titled, Ekhoneni.
The Wololo hitmaker described her late husband and father of her son as the head and shield of her career, and revealed that after Mampintsha’s death, she would have difficult days on which she would try to record songs but nothing would come.
“Having someone you not only love, but who was the head and shield of your career be taken just like that made me sit down and just take a moment to fully heal.
There were days (mourning days) when I’d get into studio and just couldn’t sing a word but just cry. My parents then said something powerful which they didn’t know I needed. They said ‘A true queen knows that when she’s hurt, she should heal those wounds in order to lead in a proper manner.
A queen can be wounded but it doesn’t mean when (the) healing process takes place, the crown will be taken by someone else. Healing makes the queen stronger than ever’. From that day, I knew it’s okay. That’s why I’ve come back with a force cause I’m now ready,” she said.
Babes also shared that music is her soulmate, and that her team was of great help with brainstorming, and their creativity led to chart-toppers in Ekhoneni. She further expressed that that there is indeed a difference in her music after taking a break, and that she has excitedly explored other genres in her album.
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Also see: The return of Babes Wodumo? Gqom queen releases highly anticipated album
