Vuyokazi Nguqu (born August 1985) is a South African social media, reality TV star, and actress best known by the nickname “Vovo”.
The Social media entertainer appeared on the show “Short ‘n Sweet,” which aired on Mzansi Magic. She has also appeared in movies as an extra since 2014, including The Dark Tower, Film Light, and The Watch.
| Vuyokazi Nguqu | |
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| Quick Facts | |
| Name: | Vuyokazi Nguqu |
| Born: | August 1985 (age 40 years old) |
| Place of birth: | Mbekweni, Paarl, Western Cape |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Occupation: | Social media, reality TV star, actress |
| Residence: | Cape Town |
| Condition: | Chromosomal disorder |
Early Life
Vuyokazi Nguqu was born in August 1985 in Mbekweni township in Paarl, Western Cape, and grew up in Butterworth, Eastern Cape. She realized she would not grow any taller when she was eight years old.
She noticed other children were growing, including her elder sister, but she wasn’t. Her mother had to break it to her that she would not get any taller. She was admitted to the hospital in Johannesburg, where she took growth-hormone supplements for a year.
Growing up wasn’t an easy journey for her, as she was different from other kids, and the community didn’t know why. She had to accept her condition when she turned 10 years old.
Career
Vuyokazi Nguqu worked as a call center agent but was asked to change her job title because a customer complained that she sounded like a child. So they moved her from being a sales agent to a quality control officer.
Nguqu has now become an entertainer who uses her condition to entertain the public. She creates funny videos for social media, which she started in 2019. She was encouraged to start by her cousin, who is now her manager.
Her content focuses on challenges faced by “little people” as well as those living with albinism. She makes jokes using herself as a subject in the skit. One of her videos was about the challenges people of her height face while trying to use an ATM. Sometimes, they leave the shops to withdraw money from outside because the ATMs are unreachable to them.
She was cast in Mzansi Magic’s new reality show about little people with big hearts, Short ‘n Sweet. She is featured on the show alongside aspiring taxi boss Thandazani Khubheka and family heir Sikhumbuzo ‘Shota’ Mkhize. On the show, she opened up about her desire to be pregnant and married.
Nguqu has also appeared in films, including The Dark Tower, Film Light, and The Watch. She performed at the EFF’s 12th Birthday Celebration in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.
Personal Life
Vuyokazi Nguqu was dating Titos, but their relationship ended in 2024. She was born with a chromosomal disorder and is only half a meter tall.
Nguqu wants a baby but can only carry a baby up to five months because of her height. She attended Shekainah Healing Ministries’ mass service “Praying for Marriages – Strengthening the Foundation of Love (Inkonzo Yamadakhi)” in 2023.
References
- Mavi Ngcobo. “Reality TV star Vovo’s double heartbreak“. Daily Sun.
- Mbalenhle Zuma. “Reality TV star Vovo is no child and wants a baby of her own“. Sunday World.
- “Vuyokazi ‘Vovo’ Nguqu unfazed by naysayers“. Sowetan.
- “Two tiniest women on a mission“. Sowetan.
- Phuti Mathobela. “Vovo’s ‘Short n Sweet’ drama!“. Daily Sun.
- Andiswa Ngenyane. “Reality TV star: I won’t kill myself because of you!“. Daily Sun.
- Siya Tsewu. “From the archives | ‘I want a tall person who can change the lightbulb’ – Vovo on love and her new show, Short n Sweet“. Drum.
- Oluthando Keteyi. “Social media and reality TV star Vovo spotted at church match-making service“. IOL.
