By Rorisang Modiba
- Mampintsha’s sister claims his wedding to Babes Wodumo was staged for TV, with Showmax paying all the costs.
- The late gqom star was allegedly drunk during his wedding and agreed to it because he needed money.
The sister of the late gqom star Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo says his wedding to Babes Wodumo was staged for TV.
She claims Showmax paid for everything, from the lobola to the clothes.
Pinky Gumede told Sunday World that her brother and Babes, whose real name is Bongekile Simelane, were broke when they got married at Ebandla Hotel in Ballito, Durban, in April 2021.
The wedding was shown on Showmax’s reality show Uthando Lodumo, produced by Parental Advisory Productions (PAP).
“So we decided to go with the flow. We were then rushed to a shopping mall, where they bought us outfits for the wedding. Showmax and the production were paying for those costs,” said Pinky.
“I know this because they were the ones choosing clothes and paying. On top of that, Mandla and Bongekile were broke.”
Pinky says there was trouble before and after the traditional wedding ceremony.
“The fight was about Mandla trying to get married behind our backs and without getting family blessings,” she said.
“Mandla was a Zulu man, and he believed in traditions and customs, but in this instance, he seemed to have forgotten about his tradition.”
According to Pinky, Mampintsha told the family he was too broke to pay lobola or have a traditional wedding.
“He told us that the wedding was not his idea but PAP’s idea; otherwise, he would have discussed it with us as the family,” she said.
“He said that he was even drunk on the day and had no recollection of what was happening. Nonetheless, he agreed to everything that was asked of him because they were desperate for the money. He apologised and emphasised that the entire show was fake.”
Pinky also claims the wedding ring given to Mampintsha by the production company didn’t fit him.
Showmax hasn’t commented on the claims. PAP refused to comment.
Pictured above: Babes wodumo and Mampintsha.
Image source: @babes_wodumo
