‘This was your language with your hubby’ — Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule defends Babes dancing at memorial

They loved to dance and they were inseparable. These were sentiments used to describe the Maphumulos at the memorial service for the late musician Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo on Thursday.  

Mampintsha's widow Babes Wodumo stood up to dance at the service when a recently released song by Big Nuz ft DJ Yamza, Ngeke, was playing.

The eThekwini Community Church (ECC) erupted in cheers when she stood up, and this made her name shoot up the Twitter trends list.

The clip drew mixed reactions.

Crown Gospel Music Awards co-founder and businesswoman Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule rallied behind Babes after she received criticism. 

"I see people debating about Babes dancing at Mampintsha's memorial. I get you girl. This was your language with your hubby. Strength to you and the family," she wrote on her Instagram timeline. 

The businesswoman's mentions were filled with comments from people standing with Babes. 

"Oh Nkosiyami ngoBabes. God will see her through. Dance all you like, nana. Dance and sing the pain away," wrote actress Winnie Ntshaba.

"Baphambene, this was their unique language of love. Mvalelise ngendlela yakho wena Babes u myeni wakho. Keeping you in my prayers," wrote Nhlanhla Mafu

Babes' father sang Mampintsha's praises when he took to the podium on Thursday.

He said Mampintsha and Babes were meant to be together. 

"Babes, in this journey of music, was put into it by Mampintsha. He trained and taught her because Babes used to be a model here in eThekwini. Before I know it there goes Babes into music with Mampintsha.

"I will never forget him because he groomed my child to be the successful star she is today. He succeeded in doing that.

"There are very few people who, when they love their women, groom them. For that reason he has left her with bread. She is able to sustain herself. Mandla built Babes and for that I'm thankful."