South African Gqom star Babes Wodumo has once again touched the hearts of many after sharing a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, Mampintsha, on what would have been his birthday. The tribute, posted on Friday, 27 June 2025, on her Instagram page, stirred a wave of emotion across Mzansi, with fans offering comfort and support while commemorating the legacy of the late musician.
Mampintsha, a popular Kwaito and Gqom artist, passed away unexpectedly on Christmas Eve in 2022. Since then, Babes Wodumo, real name Bongekile Simelane, has been open about her grief journey, often using social media to keep his memory alive and share moments they once enjoyed together.
In her latest tribute, Babes Wodumo shared a series of nostalgic videos and photos of herself with Mampintsha. Accompanying the visuals was a deeply emotional caption where she declared her continued love for him and expressed how much she misses his presence.
The emotional message read in part:
> “Happy heavenly birthday Babazi ♥️ Today is your birthday and a day we celebrate you. We argued, we loved, but every moment I think of you, I cherish you. I am who I am because of you. Mabhebeza, I will forever love and embrace you. Every single moment without you is a moment I wish we were spending together.”
The heartfelt tribute sparked a flood of responses from fans, friends, and fellow artists who took to the comments to celebrate Mampintsha’s birthday and uplift Babes during her time of remembrance. Many expressed their admiration for the strength she continues to show in raising their child, Sponge, while honouring her late husband’s memory.
One user, @behlumazali, suggested that Babes should host a memorial concert to honour Mampintsha’s musical legacy:
> “You could host a birthday celebration performance featuring his music, include tribute clips of him in the background, and sell tickets. People are profiting off his name while you could be honouring him and benefiting at the same time.”
Other fans also shared their fond memories and appreciation for Mampintsha:
* @thabani\_tdm: “Happy heavenly birthday to Baba ka Sponge 🧽❤️”
* @sasamdlolo: “We were just talking about him yesterday. My daughter said she misses Mampintsha, and I agreed 😢”
* @pumla\_g: “So sorry, Sisi 😢 May God strengthen you and Sponge. Happy heavenly birthday to him.”
Despite still grieving, Babes Wodumo has shown resilience and continues to engage with her followers while navigating life as a widow and single mother. Her willingness to be vulnerable in public has earned her praise for her authenticity and courage.
Earlier this year, Babes sparked conversation online when she revealed in an interview that she would never date a man who doesn’t cheat, shocking many fans. While her comment stirred mixed reactions, it was another reflection of how open she has been about her life experiences and personal struggles.
Babes Wodumo’s touching tribute is a reminder of the enduring power of love and the deep impact of loss. Mampintsha may be gone, but his memory clearly lives on—in music, in spirit, and in the hearts of those who loved him.