Mampintsha’s family fires Babes Wodumo as Makoti

Gqom singers Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha said I do earlier this year.

But Mampintsha’s family, whose real name is Mandla Maphumulo, has apparently disowned Babes, real name Sibongile Simelane, as their makoti.

This is because they said she has not observed Zulu tradition.

In an exclusive interview with Mampintsha’s sister, Pinki Gumede, she revealed that the Gumede clan has decided to distance themselves from Mampintsha’s wife.

“As Mampintsha’s family we are rejecting Babes Wodumo. She’s not our makoti, but is Mampintsha’s girlfriend. We want people to know that she’s not Mampintsha’s legal wife.

“This is because she failed to observe our tradition, which requires her to bring umembeso (exchanging of gifts between the bride and groom’s families) to Mampintsha’s family. We couldn’t accept her in our family because of this failure,” said Pinki.

She said they have tried to reach out to Babes about this, but she wasn’t interested.

“Whenever we raise this issue with her, she tells us her religion doesn’t allow her to perform or observe Zulu tradition. This confused us because she knows that Mampintsha is a Zulu man who observes traditions. She has repeatedly proven that she doesn’t want to be part of this family. For this reason we’ll never put inyongo (cow gall) on her and we are rejecting her.”

Mampintsha’s mum, Zama Gumede, said: “I want nothing to do with Babes Wodumo.”

Cultural expert Nomagugu Ngobese said: “Traditionally, each family was supposed to slaughter a cow then Mampintsha’s family would put inyongo from their cow on Babes Wodumo.

“After this process, she’d be recognised by Mampintsha’s family as the new makoti.”

Babes’ sister, Nondumiso Simelane, said Babes didn’t need their Zulu tradition or inyongo.

“In fact, she’s got nothing to do with Mampintsha’s mother or the Gumedes because her husband, Mampintsha, doesn’t belong there.

“As you can see, Mampintsha is a Maphumulo not a Gumede. This means Babes has to listen to the Maphumulos and not the Gumedes. Fortunately, the Maphumulos are Christians and don’t observe any of the Zulu culture,” said Nondumiso.