Here's looking at you, Babes

26 August 2016 - 08:36 By Leonie Wagner

She might not be the ideal quiz night team member but Babes Wodumo is a breath of fresh air in an entertainment industry often ruled by hot air. The 22-year-old Durban artist has become an overnight sensation with her music video reaching more than a million views on YouTube.According to Entertainment Monitoring Africa, her first single, Wololo, which features Big Nuz's Mampintsha, is the most played local song on South African radio at the moment. Wodumo, whose real name is Bongekile Simelane, is determined not to be a one-hit-wonder. Her secret - gqom - a house music sub-genre that originated in Durban's townships, and her "magic ball" dance moves.Wodumo this week tackled the stereotypes female dancers have to deal with, and said it was a misconception that dancers were dummies.So we asked her opinion on some bubbling issues.What are your thoughts on the local music industry?A lot of sponsors only want R&B and kwaito singers, but gqom , my music from Durban that people in Jozi go crazy for, they don't respect us.What about the argument that we are hearing the same artists all the time on radio?It's OK, that's why Nigerian artists do so well. With one song they earn a Lamborghini or three houses because they support each other and play their music.But in South Africa we play Jay Z, AKA, [all the time] but we don't support artists here. We have to support one another.What do you think about the ANC losing some of the major metros in the elections?You can't be in charge of everything everywhere. You have to give somebody a chance to prove themselves. The ANC has been there for years, so what's the big deal because [Zuma] is still the president.Have you been following what's going on with Pravin Gordhan?Who's Pravin Gordhan?Wodumo is in Johannesburg for the Queen's Picnic..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.