Uthando Lodumo started streaming first and only on Showmax at midnight on 29th June, with fans staying up to binge the full series before 3 am this morning, according to Twitter.
The three-part Showmax Original reality series follows Bongekile Simelane and Mandla Maphumulo, better known as gqom superstars Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha, from their proposal in October 2020 through marriage counseling, lobola negotiations, pregnancy, and a surprise bridal shower all the way to their vibrant wedding in April 2021.
As The Citizen’s Kaunda Selisho says, “Uthando Lodumo offers a never-before-seen look into the dynamic between a couple that has dominated headlines from the minute they achieved mainstream popularity."
Babes burst onto the gqom scene with Wololo, featuring Mampintsha and Distruction Boyz, which racked up over 11m views on YouTube alone, and was nominated as Record of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards and the South African Music Awards, among other places. “Everyone knew Wololo,” says Babes in Uthando Lodumo. “Even Beyoncé and Usher knew my song.”
While she admits in Uthando Lodumo that “working with your partner can be challenging”, she says of Mampintsha, “We were madly in love. We then made hit song after hit song. And we made a lot of money as a result.”
“We've come a long way, from when I was a teenager and he was in Big Nuz, to just being in love, to trending for all the wrong reasons and falling back in love,” says Babes in Uthando Lodumo. “Our love is very famous… Our journey hasn't been easy but we managed to make it work. So whoever has a problem with us will eventually fall in line.”
Uthando Lodumo is being produced and directed by South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) winner Thomas Gumede and SAFTA nominee Lungile Radu through their production company, Parental Advisory.
Watch the new trailer right here!
