Mampintsha (born July 8, 1982, Age: 41 Years Old) is a South African musical artist and record producer who has remained relevant in the music scene for a very long time. Currently 41 years old, the musician has almost always been in the media for one of many reasons, including his relationship with his wife Babes Wodumo and, more importantly, his music.
The Kwaito hits maker has achieved so much as a musician and producer through the years. In a career that has spanned decades thus far, Mampintsha has released several albums, featured in the albums of other stars, including Babes Wodumo, and has had some amazing songs.
Quick Profile of Mampintsha
- Full name: Mandla Maphumulo
- Date of Birth: July 8, 1982
- Age: 41 Years Old
- Career: Musician and music producer
- Albums:Â Bhut’Madlisa (2020)
- Wife: Babes Wodumo (2021)
Mampintsha Started His Career At The Young Age Of 20
Mampintsha has been in the South African music scene for a better part of his life since the early 2000s when he joined forces with Mzi (Danger) and Sbu (Mashesha) to start Big Nuz in 2002. The Kwaito group was formed by the three young musicians who all grew up together in Umlazi’s township. In fact, they got their name from the license plate prefix of cars registered to the town.
The musician, whose real name is Mandla Maphumulo, continued working with the group towards getting a record to sign them. That did not yield any significant success until 2006 when Gallo Record signed them. He was 24 years old at the time. Big Nuz released its first album, Zozo, under the record label, and they collaborated with Kid Mokoena. Unfortunately, the album was not successful.
What became the first real break for Mandla was when he was 26 years old after the Afrotainment recording label signed his group. They released their album, 2nd Round Knockout under the label. The album was successful, selling more than 20,000 copies, and it also clinched the Metro FM Best Kwaito Award and a Channel O Awards in 2008.
Thanks to the album and the hit single, Ubala, they became a household name. They performed at the South African Music Awards in 2009 and also the inauguration of Jacob Zuma.
He Released Three More Albums With Big Nuz
Riding on the success of their first album, Big Nuz released a third album, Undisputed, in 2010. It was also a success, taking home the Album of the Year and Best Kwaito Album awards at the SAMAs in 2010. The hit track of the album was Umlilo.
Mampintsha’s group released yet another album, Pound For Pound, in 2011 and then Made in Africa in 2013. Both albums were successful, and each sold more than 40,000 copies, carting home the Best Kwaito Album Awards at the South African Music Awards in 2011 and 2013. By this time, they had already established themselves in the genre. The two albums were certified Platinum.
In 2015, the group was hit by tragedy following the death of R. Mashesha, who is a founding member. However, that did not stop the release of the album For The Fans, which was scheduled for the same day that he died; For The Fans was also a huge success.
Mampintsha Began A Solo Career At The Age of 33
Big Nuz did not survive the passage of R. Mashesha, as they split in the same year that he died. Both Mampintsha and Mzi went their separate ways and started their careers individually. He promoted his record label, West Ink record label, rather than making his own music. Soon afterward, he signed several artists under his label, most of whom were from KwaZulu-Natal.
One of the biggest signings he made was Babes Wodumo, who was still unknown at the time, and only 22 years old. He led her to fame with the release of their first track together, Wololo. The Gqom Queen, as she would be referred, released her first album, Gqom Queen Vol.1, in the same year. Mampintsha featured in all the songs of the album, which became a huge success. She released her second album, Indando Kazi, in 2020, and unsurprisingly, she featured the record producer in all 13 songs, but three.
Beyond the music relationship that he has with Babes since 2016, they entered into a relationship that has been described as toxic at various times. However, that did not stop them from getting married in 2021. Babes, whose real name is Bongekile Simelane, was 26 at the time, while Mandla Maphumulo was 39 years old.
He Also Released His First Solo Album At 38
Mampintsha continued to work with artists under his record label and did not get to release his own album until the age of 38, when he released his debut solo album, Bhut’Madlisa, in 2020. The 13 track release featured stars, including Babes Wodumo and DJ Tira. According to him, since the end of his career with Big Nuz, he had always wanted to release his own album, but that only became possible due to the Covid-19 lockdown.
As expected, the album became a success, and it sold out on iTunes after the album was dropped. He revealed that the album, which he took just a week to finish, was all about his life and journey.
A Look At All The Albums He Has Released And Some Of His Best Hits Before The Age of 40
In a career that has spanned for two decades, Mampintsha has released a total of seven albums; six as a member of Big Nuz and one as a solo act before the age of 40. More than that, he has also had many singles that helped make his name or sustain it.
Here is a list of all the albums to his name:
- Zozo (2003)
- 2nd round Knockout (2009)
- Undisputed (2010)
- Pound For Pound (2011)
- Made in Africa (2013)
- For The Fans (2015)
- Bhut’Madlisa (2020)- His debut solo album
Beyond the awards, many singles have defined his career, including songs with Big Nuz and others that he was featured in. Here are some of his best songs:
- Ubala- Big Nuz (2006)
- Wololo Babes Wodumo ft Mampintsha (2016)
- Jo’burg featuring TNS (2019)
- Khona Iyngane Lay’Ndlini– Featuring Dj Tira, Babes Wodumo & Campmasters (2019)
- PHAKAMISA- featuring Campmaters (2019)
- S’yabathandazela- featuring Babes Wodumo, Campmasters, and Lasoulmates (2020)
Mampintsha Has Taken Home Many Awards
The South African musician has also won many awards in a career that is generally considered successful and several nominations. Below are awards that he had won, even though they were earned when he was with Big Nuz:
- Metro FM Music Awards – Best Kwaito Album, “2nd Round Knockout” (2008)
- Channel O Music Awards – Best Kwaito Album, “2nd Round Knockout” (2008)
- Song of The Year Award from the South African Music Awards (2009)
- South African Music Awards – Album of the Year, “Undisputed,” Best Kwaito Album, “Undisputed” (2010)
- MTN Record of the Year- “Umlilo” (2010)
- South African Music Awards Best Kwaito Album- Pound For Pound (2012)
- South African Music Awards Best Kwaito Album- Made In Africa (2013)
- South African Music Awards Best Kwaito Album and Best Duo or Group of the Year- For The Fans (2015).
