People share their stories for different reasons—some for fame, others to inspire and heal. For Vuyiswa ‘Vuyi’ Nyauza, it’s the latter. Having faced the depths of loss, she hopes that opening up about her journey will bring comfort to those navigating similar pain.

Now joining Mommy Club as a full-time cast member, Vuyi makes her official debut after a brief appearance in Season 2 at Happy ‘HerMajesty’ Simalane’s daughter’s birthday party. Following that event, the show’s producers saw something special in her and extended a formal invitation to join the cast.

 

Her shoot took place during one of the most traumatic periods of her life—just months after her husband’s passing. Navigating grief has been the toughest chapter of her life yet.

 

“When the offer was presented, I spoke to my daughters, and my eldest thought it would be a good distraction from the grief we’re still battling,” she shares.

 

“Those few months of shooting, although exhausting, gave us something to look forward to. We were happy in those moments, and the kids were always engaged. But after filming stopped, I could see them retreat into sadness again, which proved just how much that distraction helped.

 

“My six-year-old sometimes even asks, ‘mommy, when are we shooting again?’” she adds with a giggle.

 

Vuyi is a mother of four girls and always envisioned herself having seven children as someone who comes from a big family. But she now embraces the beautiful family she has.

“Being on the show, I leave no stone unturned. I share my full story because, otherwise, what’s the point? My commitment is to use my experience to heal others.

 

“My decision to join the show was never about followers, fame, or promoting a business. It was about encouraging others that no matter how difficult life gets, you can make it through,” she says, her voice breaking. The weight of her loss still lingers.

“I’ve learned to be strong for my kids, no matter what people say. Unfortunately, with grief, you never fully heal—you just learn to live through it. My girls and I are adjusting, and I do my best to keep them engaged, especially the youngest, keeping her mentally stimulated.

 

“We still do the things we loved when he was here. I don’t want my kids to forget him or what he stood for. They love that. We still eat dinner together as a family. There’s still more we need to do—like braais, since my husband loved them,” she reflects.

 

The 40-year-old is a successful entrepreneur in the hair industry, was raised by her grandparents in Heidelberg, Ratanda, and is the first born of

“My upbringing was very fun; I actually love talking about it because of how fun it was. Both my maternal and paternal grandparents raised me, changing shifts throughout the day.

 

“At home, my grandmother used to bake and sell pies at schools. And then our job after school would be to come home, change, do our homework, then go door to door to go sell tomatoes and onions—which was very fun for young kids like us,” she said, reminiscing.

 

Being raised in an entrepreneurial house, she saw no other route for herself than to follow suit.

 

“My grandfather also owned taxis, so by age 13, taxi drivers would check in their money with me. I would do my grandfather’s bookkeeping,” she shares.

 

Reflecting on her life, Vuyi is proud of the strides she has made regardless of how many times life has tried to knock her. The words resilient, strong and a very gentle mother are words that resonate with her.

 

“I’m a fighter; I’ve always been a fighter. Whatever situation I’m thrown into, I always come out stronger. I’ve been through so much pain all my life that I didn’t even realise that it had become the norm. I’ve always had to stand up for myself, always had to make things happen, have people’s backs, and just soldier on, always.

 

“But that is my story; that’s what has made me who I am today and I hope that inspires just one other person to keep keeping on,” she said.

 

As she steps into this new chapter, Vuyi hopes that sharing her journey on Mommy Club will remind others facing loss that healing is possible—even when the road feels impossible to walk.