Sim Dope, whose real name is Simphiwe Gumede, is the first son of Robert Gumede, a billionaire businessman who serves as the founder and chairman of Gijima Group and Guma Group. He was born on January 28th, 1988, and is 36 years old. Sim Dope is reportedly involved in his family business.
Despite being the son of one of the wealthiest businessmen in South Africa, Sim Dope was literally unknown until AKA’s memorial service in February 2023. It was then that the rapper’s fans discovered that one of their favorite songs, ‘Sim Dope’, is actually a real person and was dedicated to Sim. Robert Gumede’s son’s life has been in the spotlight ever since then.
Sim Dope’s Biography Summary
- Full name: Simphiwe Gumede
- Nickname: Sim Dope
- Gender: Male
- Date of birth: January 28th, 1988
- Sim Dope’s Age: 36 years old
- Ethnicity: Black
- Nationality: South African
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christian
- Marital Status: Married
- Sim Dope’s Wife: Tshego Gumede
- Sim Dope’s Children: 2
- Sim Dope’s Parents: Robert Gumede (father)
- Siblings: Jabu, Roberta, Natana, and Matana Gumede (sisters); Themba, Matana Robert Gumede Junior, and Keni Gumede (brothers)
- Sim Dope’s Height in Inches: 5 feet 9 inches
- Sim Dope’s Height in Centimetres: 175.2 cm
- Sim Dope’s Weight: 65 kg (143 lbs)
- Sim Dope’s Net worth: $2 million-$3 million
- Famous for: Being the son of Robert Gumede, a billionaire businessman
- Sim Dope’s Instagram: @simdope_official
How Old is Sim Dope?
Sim Dope is 36 years old. In Johannesburg, South Africa, he was born on January 28th, 1988. His zodiac sign is Aquarius. Interestingly, Simphiwe Gumede shared the same birth date as his late childhood best friend, AKA. He hails from Nelspruit in Mpumalanga province.
Sim Dope Meaning
On AKA’s memorial service held at the Sandton Convention Centre on February 17th, 2023, Sim Dope disclosed that his nickname was coined by his longtime friend, Kiernan Forbes (AKA), while they were in Grade 10 at St. John’s College in Johannesburg. Though the meaning of the name is yet to be clarified, he explained that he was given the nickname after making the first rugby team in high school.
Afterward, Kiernan told him that he needed a new name that would sound dangerous, and Simphiwe didn’t fit in. Hence, he gave him the moniker “Sim Dope 11” and the name has stuck since then. Simphiwe Gumede and Kiernan Forbes became high school best friends at the age of 11, and their friendship spanned over two decades.
[WATCH] Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes' childhood friend Sim Dope narrates how
the rapper told him he had written a song about him that would
‘immortalise’ him.#Newzroom405 #RIPKiernan #akamemorialservice pic.twitter.com/87J8tdgRou— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) February 17, 2023
Fans of Supermega were stunned when media personality Sizwe Dhlomo introduced the man who inspired the late rapper’s song, ‘Sim Dope’ from his second studio album, ‘Levels’, at the memorial service. As Dhlomo walked off the stage, the popular song started playing in the background, and a surprise guest walked to the stage.
Having rapped in the song, “If I die, I pray to God to bring me back as Sim Dope,” and Sim Dope was unveiled after his death, some faction of ‘The Megacy’ believe that Kiernan is now living his life as Sim Dope.
What is Sim Dope’s Real Name?
Sim Dope’s real name is Simphiwe Gumede. It was after his appearance at AKA’s memorial that social media investigators dug into his life and discovered his real name, as well as who his father is. Though Sim Dope was immortalized by Kiernan Forbes when he dropped the song about their friendship in 2014, several people never knew he was a real person until February 2023.
Simphiwe Gumede’s Siblings
Sim Dope has seven siblings; 4 half sisters named Jabu, Roberta, Natana, and Matana Gumede and 3 half brothers―Themba, Matana Robert Gumede Junior, and Keni Gumede. He is the eldest child of his father, and his mother’s identity has been kept secret. While Jabu and Roberta are the children his father shares with his first wife, Zongi Ndlela-Gumede, Natana, and Matana are his father’s children with Portia Mkhize – his second wife and Sim Dope’s stepmother.
Also, Keni Gumede is Robert Gumede and Portia’s son. Then, Themba Gumede and Mantana Robert Gumede Junior are Robert Gumede’s children from his past relationships. Interestingly, Sim Dope’s blended family is well-united, and they hold family gatherings annually.
Who is Sim Dope’s Father?
Billionaire IT mogul Robert Gumede is the father of Simphiwe Gumede, aka Sim Dope. With a net worth of R2.8 billion to R3 billion, he ranks as one of the richest men in South Africa. Sim Dope’s dad is the founder and chairman of Gijima Technologies, an IT firm, and its holding company, Gijima Group.
He rose to fame in the early 1980s and 1990s when he emerged as the youngest owner of a Premier Soccer League club. And in 2022, he served on the advisory board of the world football governing body, FIFA’s Foundation. Robert Gumede was born in Nelspruit on August 9th, 1963, and is presently 60 years old. He graduated with a Diploma in Law from the University of Zululand in 1986.
Who is Sim Dope Gumede’s Wife?
Sim Dope is married to Tshego Gumede. The couple have been married for over two years and share two children. Like her husband, Tshego is a private person, and she also followed in his footsteps to set her only social media account (Instagram) private. Hence, not much information about her is available in the media.
Sim Dope Gumede’s Net Worth
Sim Dope Gumede’s net worth is estimated between $2 million and $3 million (R37 million and R55.5 million). He is reportedly a businessman and works at one of his father’s companies. Even though Robert Gumede’s son doesn’t show off, he loves luxury and has been spotted with exotic cars and wristwatches worth millions of rands.
At AKA’s memorial service, the 36-year-old was sighted with a designer wristwatch said to be valued at over R5 million. According to Twitter users, Sim Dope’s watch is by Richard Millie, a luxury Swiss wristwatch brand, and the retail price ranges from R10 million to R20 million.
Sim Dope’s House
I zoomed Sim Dope's house, I mean, mall 😂 pic.twitter.com/aTomo7yfkb
— Counsel👨⚖️ (@thee_adv) June 8, 2023
Sim Dope’s family house is a mega-mansion located in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. It overlooks Mbombela and can be seen from anywhere in Nelspruit, as it has a 360-degree view of the town. The pictures of the mansion went viral after social media users started investigating Sim Dope following the revelation of his identity at Kiernan Forbes’ memorial service.
The house is said to be owned by his father but has accommodations for every member of the Gumede family. The number of rooms in the magnificent mansion is still unknown, but it definitely has several rooms, which makes it to be easily mistaken for a blue-chip shopping mall.
