The family of late Kwaito star Mandla Maphumulo, popularly known as Mampintsha, has raised concerns over unpaid fees for their participation in an upcoming reality TV show, *Wena Wodumo*, set to air on Moja Love. Mampintsha’s sister, Pinky Gumede, has threatened legal action against the network and production company, alleging that her family has been unfairly treated and not compensated as promised.
The show, produced by industry veterans Thomas Gumede and Lungile Radu under their company, Parental Advisory Production, is scheduled to premiere on March 29 on channel 157. However, the Gumede family claims they have not received payment despite their involvement in the production.
Pinky Gumede revealed that Thomas Gumede initially approached the family during the production of *uThando Lodumo*, a previous reality show featuring Mampintsha and his wife, Bongekile “Babes Wodumo” Simelane. At the time, both Mampintsha and his mother were still alive. “Initially, we were hesitant to be part of the show as we were dealing with internal family matters,” Pinky said. “But Thomas assured us we would be paid, and out of respect for Mampintsha, we agreed.”
Despite these assurances, Pinky claims the family faced difficulties receiving payment during the filming of the first two seasons and had to persistently fight for their money. Following Mampintsha’s passing in December 2022, Thomas allegedly approached the family again for the third season of *Uthando Wodumo*. The family initially refused, fearing further exploitation.
“We didn’t want to be part of it anymore,” Pinky stated. “But Thomas convinced us, saying it was in the best interest of Mampintsha’s child and that rejecting the offer might impact the child’s future.” Despite these promises, no formal contract was signed, and Pinky claims Thomas told them to trust him to handle everything.
After Mampintsha’s funeral, Pinky says communication with the producers ceased. “They vanished. They stopped taking my calls, ignored my messages, and left me feeling betrayed once again,” she said. Her frustration resurfaced when she saw the trailer for the show being promoted online. “Seeing that trailer brought back all the pain,” she expressed. “Not only did they use us for content, but they also did so without fulfilling their promises. It’s clear they’re trying to profit off our struggles.”
Pinky is now demanding payment for her family’s participation and insists that her late mother’s compensation must also be settled. “If they fail to pay me, I will take legal action,” she warned.
Efforts by *SundayWorld* to reach producers Thomas Gumede and Lungile Radu for comment were unsuccessful, as they did not respond to calls or messages. Moja Love’s representative, Nonwakazi Cekete, acknowledged the inquiry but did not provide any comment at the time of reporting.
The controversy highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of participants in reality TV shows, particularly those involving vulnerable families. As the premiere date approaches, the Gumede family’s demands for fair compensation and accountability remain unresolved, casting a shadow over the show’s launch.
