Johannesburg - It has barely been a month since the multi-award-winning Gqom star Mandla "Mampintsha" Maphumulo was laid to rest, and his mother, Zamanguni Gumede, is reported to have died after being hospitalised.
According to EWN, the Gumede family confirmed that she died at a Durban hospital last night.
It is further revealed that Gumede fell ill after her son's death and was hospitalised following a stroke.
Mampintsha was 41. He was confirmed also to have died following a stroke.
The Gqom artist, who had been a household name in the past decade, was confirmed to have died by Afrotainment.
"It is with great sadness that we share the news of the untimely passing of the multi-award-winning artist Mampintsha. Born Mandla Maphumulo from uMlazi, KZN, of Big Nuz fame, passed on today, 24 December."
Mampintsha’s passing follows the death of his group member Sibusiso Khomo, fondly known as R Mashesha, who died in 2015, leaving Mzi "Danger" Mkhwanazi as the only member left in the popular group.
The trio has shared multiple hits such as "Umlilo," "Ngekhe, and "Be There" with their fans.
At Mampintsha’s memorial service, Danger said that though he is not a talkative person, he was saddened by the passing of the group members with whom he had been working.
"We were not talkative in the group. If you look at R. Mashesha, Mampintsha, and me. We preferred to stay in the studio and make music. We are thankful for the support that you gave us from day one until now. I also want to thank you, Tira, Afrotainment, and all the people that have worked with us."
He went on to discuss their most recent song, "Ngekhe."
"We argued a lot about Ngekhe with Mampintsha. Those who work with us know. It is hurting that all the soldiers are gone. At first, it was R. Mashasha, and now it is Mampintsha."
He vowed to keep the legacy of the Big Nuz alive by doing more and growing the name into an empire.
DJ Tira also spoke fondly about Mampitsha, highlighting that working with him was always remarkable as he knew what he wanted as a creative.
"You could say Mampintsha was a prophet because sometimes he would say things that did not even cross my mind. Mampintsha taught me that if you believe in something, focus on it and make sure it happens. So our friend is gone; we are going to cry, but we hope that his spirit lives in us, and we have work to do," said DJ Tira.
The Star