South African Gqom sensation Bongekile Simelane, popularly known as Babes Wodumo, recently shared insights into her decision to keep her son, Sponge, out of the public eye during the first year of his life.

In a recent episode of her reality show Uthando Lodumo, Babes Wodumo opened up about her concerns for her child’s safety and well-being, which led her to keep him “hidden” from public scrutiny and social media.

Babes and her husband, fellow musician Mampintsha, have often found themselves in the spotlight, with their lives regularly making headlines. However, they chose a different approach when it came to their son, who recently celebrated his first birthday.

This significant milestone was highlighted in Uthando Lodumo, where Babes explained her reasons for shielding Sponge from the public. She expressed her happiness about finally allowing him to meet other people, saying, “He’s turning one; I’m happy because he will get to interact with other people, because as you know he’s always hidden.”

For Babes, the decision to keep Sponge out of the spotlight was about protecting him from what she believes are potentially harmful influences. In a subsequent episode of the show, Babes elaborated on her reasons, sharing that she felt uncomfortable with her baby being seen or touched by others, especially because of her concerns about certain cultural beliefs.

She noted, “A lot of people don’t know this, but as a new mom, I don’t want my baby to be seen or touched. Some people perform strange rituals, and I don’t want my baby exposed to such.” This fear has been a strong factor in her decision to minimize her child’s exposure to the public and social media.

For the first year of Sponge’s life, Babes and Mampintsha managed to keep his face hidden in all their online posts. They frequently shared family moments but cleverly placed emojis over his face, preserving his anonymity while still connecting with their fans. This strategy allowed them to maintain some level of privacy and control over their son’s public presence, while sharing glimpses of their family life.

However, with Sponge’s first birthday, Babes and Mampintsha decided to reveal their son’s face officially, marking an important moment in their lives as parents. The special occasion was an opportunity for Babes to allow her son to begin engaging more openly with family and friends, while still taking precautions to protect him.

The second season of Uthando Lodumo also provided a deeper look into Babes and Mampintsha’s evolving relationship. In one of the early episodes, the couple discussed their plans to strengthen their family bonds and work on the dynamics between their respective families.

This moment of reflection came after a controversial incident that sparked a media frenzy: a viral video of Babes and Mampintsha’s mother in a heated argument surfaced online. In the video, Babes was seen hurling insults and even threatening Mampintsha’s mother following her public disapproval of their wedding.

The fallout from this incident was intense, but Babes and Mampintsha seem committed to reconciliation and uniting their families as they focus on their new life as parents.

Babes Wodumo’s journey as a mother is being candidly documented in her reality show, providing fans with an intimate look at her personal and family life. The decision to shield her son from public view demonstrates her desire to balance her public career with a deep commitment to her family’s well-being.

By keeping her child out of the public eye, Babes has taken steps to protect him from the pressures and risks that can come with fame, especially given her concerns about cultural beliefs and practices that she feels might endanger him.

With their son now reaching an age where he can begin to interact more freely, Babes and Mampintsha are making an effort to show their followers more about their lives as parents, while still maintaining boundaries that align with their values.

This careful approach to balancing privacy with public life speaks to the couple’s desire to protect their child from the challenges that come with celebrity, showing that even amid fame, family remains a top priority for them.

Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha’s story continues to evolve on Uthando Lodumo, offering a glimpse into the complexities of fame, family, and cultural beliefs in the South African entertainment industry.