Khayelitsha's tiniest women are on a mission to dispel perceptions about short people.

Vuyokazi "Vovo" Nguqu celebrated her 25th birthday last week. She was born with a chromosomal disorder and is only half a metre tall.

"When people see me for the first time they think I am a freak but when they understand my situation they are cool," Nguqu said.

Nguqu's squeaky voice won the hearts of many listeners to Khayelitsha's local radio station, Radio Zibonele, after she made cameo appearances on the breakfast show.

Ntombekhaya Mhlekwa, 35, a community worker with Treatment Action Campaign, says her lack of height used to make her a laughing stock but she "fought hard".

"I used to get many curious looks and a lot of bad comments, but that is no longer the case," Mhlekwa said.

Mhlekwa heard Nguqu speaking on Radio Zibonele and tracked her down.

"I used to think I was the only short woman around here and when I heard of Vovo I had to find her."

Vovo told Sowetan that her burning ambition was to appear in one of the soapies or drama on TV.