Reality show fame for ‘Shota’
Skhumbuzo was born in Durban, and his family later moved to Port Shepstone.
Skhumbuzo ‘Shota’ Mkhize of Bomela location just outside Port Shepstone has built a name for himself on social media, and will now put the town on the map as a reality show star.
Shota is well-known for his dancing videos and very popular because of his dwarfism.
He has been seen followed by cameras locally for the show that will air on 1Magic on DSTV in July. The name of the show cannot be published until the channel releases an official statement.
His co-stars are Vuyokazi ‘Vovo’ Nguqu from the Western Cape who is also a social media influencer and Thandazani Kubheka from Ngquthu in northern KZN.
Shota said growing up was not easy, especially in school because other learners made fun of him and called him names.
“The name Shota is one of the things that I had to embrace even though at first I did not like it. Eventually I learnt that I should accept who I am and not let people get to me, I should just embrace being a short man.”
Skhumbuzo was born in Durban, and his family later moved to Port Shepstone.
He attended Insingizi Primary, matriculated at Ingwemabala High and now works at Ugu Municipality as a switchboard operator.
The 38 year old said he is in a relationship. “I have someone in my life, I love every human being but I am not forced to date a little person just because I am a little person. I can date whoever I want, short or tall.”
Shota said his mother is one-of-a-kind. He said after his mother gave birth to him, she was told that if he grew tall he would be mentally challenged or would be a special needs child, and if he was a dwarf he would be an excellent child who would be able to do whatever he wanted.
“I then grew to be a dwarf, that’s what the doctors call it. People would approach my mother and ask her to put me on TV so we could make a lot of money. At some point she was asked that I be taken to Russia so that I would make a lot of money because of my dwarfism.”
He said his mother was always against it, and said once he finished school he would make the decision if he wanted to be on TV or not.
Shota said when he told his mother about the show she was over the moon and very emotional.
One thing he remembers about his childhood was his mother going to school every year, to speak to his teachers asking them to make sure he was not being bullied.
He also said two of his friends never left his side and were very supportive and protective of him.
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