Bongekile Simelane, also known as Babes Wodumo, is a South African singer-songwriter and choreographer.
She rose to fame following the release of her debut album Gqom Queen, Vol. 1 (2016) and furthermore subsequently being nominated at the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act.
Babes Wodumo is a part of the music connoisseurs who were pivotal in influencing the gqom genre’s international acclaim.
She appeared on the Black Panther: The Album compilation by Kendrick Lamar on a song titled “Redemption”.
In 2017, Wodumo was nominated for the BET Award for Best International Act: Africa.
In July 2020, she released her second album Idando Kazi which included the hit song,”eLamont” featuring Mampintsha as well as Skillz.
Life and career
1994-2013: Early childhood
Bongekile Mildred Simelane was born in March 25, 1994 in Lamontville, Durban. Her father Welcome Simelane is a Bishop.
2014-2019: Career beginnings, breakthrough, Black Panther
She released her first song titled “Desha” produced by Sir Bubzin, In 2014. After she signed a record deal with West Ink, one of her hit singles “Wololo” featuring Mampintsha was released in December 2015 in South Africa.
The song earned her a nomination for Best Breakthrough Artist and Song of the Year at MTV Africa Music Awards.
Her debut gqom studio album Gqom Queen Vol. 1 proceeded with three singles “Wololo”, “Umgan Wami” and “Mercedes”.
Upon its release the song surpassed 28 million streams and debuted at number 3 on iTunes charts.
The album was certified platinum by the South African record industry trade association (RISA).
Subsequently she was featured on the Black Panther compilation by Kendrick Lamar.
2020-present: Idando Kazi
In July of year 2020, she released her sophomore studio album Idando Kazi via West Ink Records featuring Mampintsha, Skillz, T.N.S, Madanon, Worst Behavior and many others.
“eLamont” was released as the lead single of the album which debuted at number 3 on the South African iTunes charts.
The album was nominated at the 27th South African Music Awards. In 2021 herself and her husband premiered their reality TV show Uthando Lodumo which aired on Showmax.
Personal life
In 2019, reports surfaced that Wodumo’s boyfriend and manager Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo had physically assaulted her.
Wodumo broadcast the incident on Instagram Live. Mampintsha was arrested on suspicion of assault.
Even though the relationship between the two had appeared to be over, both parties agreed to counselling and reconciled and later on appeared to be on good terms.
Mampintsha later on featured on her second album, Idando Kazi.
Babes Wodumo married Mandla Maphumulo in 2020. In 2021 they had their first child. Her husband and long-time collaboration partner later passed away in December 2022, as reported due to a stroke.
SAMAs
In 2017, Wodumo was the most nominated artist at the 23rd South African Music Awards.
However, she did not win any award, and this led to an altercation after the singer accused the personnel from the SAMA 23 of buying awards.
Net Worth
Babes Wodumo has done extremely well for herself over the past years, working along with her late husband Mampintsha. She has a net worth which is estimated to be over R10 Million.
