Stellenbosch’s latest local celebrity found his fame in an unlikely place – as a security guard for a Stellenbosch University (SU) residence. Masixole Wellington Ngqubungu, known around the SU campus as Wellington, spoke to SMF News’ Daniela Botha about his journey to TikTok stardom.
Masixole Wellington Ngqubungu, a security guard for Pro Events security, is stationed near Stellenbosch University’s Harmonie residence. He loves being around people. “I’m the guy who likes to work with people […] I like the university and to work with the cars and to get to know the children,” says Wellington. PHOTO: Daniela Botha
In the shade of the trees between SU’s Harmonie residence and the Lombardi building, sits Masixole Wellington Ngqubungu. He greets all who walk past with a friendly smile.
Wellington, as he is affectionately known by locals, is a security guard for Pro Events.
But he is no ordinary security guard.
Earlier this year, he joined social media, and gained over 4 000 followers on TikTok within a month. More recently, he started an Instagram page, which has over 2000 followers at the time of publication.
Roots and Responsibility
Wellington, born in 1982, grew up in Mangweni in the Eastern Cape, where he spent his childhood helping with the sheep and chickens on his parents’ land.
His father passed away in 2018, but he still visits his mother in the Eastern Cape. His favourite time of the year in the place that he calls home is May.
“It’s when the sheep are making lambs […] and we’re feeling excited,” he says. “And if you went into the garden, now’s also the time for the harvest of mealies and potatoes.”
Wellington, one of six siblings, had to leave school after Grade 11. “I was struggling. At home, we were suffering and there was no back-up,” he recalls.
His family decided it would be best for Wellington to start working instead of completing Grade 12.
This decision brought him to the Western Cape. He started with general work in Cape Town in 1997, and started working at SU in 1999.
Local security guard, Masixole Wellington Ngqubungu, showing off his signature dance moves. PHOTO: Daniela Botha
Starting over
“I was at Helderberg [residence] for 15 years,” he says. “[The residence] was so supportive of me. I remember I helped the Helderberg [soccer] team join the Kayamandi Easter tournament. They gave us money, handled the joining fees and helped with a car to get 16 boys there.”
However, Wellington was fired from his position as a security guard in 2016 over allegations that he was involved in the Fees Must Fall movement taking place on campus at the time.
He returned to work at the university in 2018, but this time as a security guard in the parking lot between Harmonie and the Lombardi building, rather than at a residence.
“The time I [came] back in 2018, I said: ‘No, I don’t want to be in the residence again’,” says Wellington.
He loves the sense of community he has found at his new patrol position.
“I have that heart: If you lost your stuff [because someone stole it] and I’m going to continue to see you, I get sick for a month. I don’t like for someone to get hurt in front of me.”
For the past three years, Harmonie residence has celebrated Wellington on his birthday.
“Those people living [in Harmonie] are behind me,” he says.
While Wellington tells his story, he is interrupted multiple times by people greeting him.
“He is pure sunshine,” says Lize Archer, a fourth-year LLB student at SU. Archer assisted Wellington in starting his social media accounts, and also handles the posting of his videos.
“He’s warm, upbeat, and genuinely cares about the students,” she says. “What stands out most is how effortlessly he brings joy to people, whether through his iconic dance moves or his big smile.”
Lize Archer, a fourth-year LLB student at Stellenbosch University, assists Masixole Wellington Ngqubungu with his social media.“One of my favourite memories has to be the time we filmed a video of Wellington dancing with the Shrek filter,” says Archer. “We had to shoot it multiple times because I couldn’t stop laughing. It was a magical moment where spontaneity and joy blended perfectly, capturing exactly why Wellington’s vibe is so uplifting and fun.” PHOTO: Supplied/Lize Archer
The beginning of TikTok fame
At first, Wellington was hesitant to post on TikTok.
“There was this student who sold me on the idea,” says Ngqubungu. “Every morning – early – she went to the gym, and she saw me chatting with people and said to me: ‘No, Wellington. You’re supposed to be on the TikTok because you’re famous [on campus] and a lot of people want to talk to you!’ ”
He ignored her for two weeks straight, feeling that he was not ready for the platform. But eventually, his TikTok journey began.
“I saw him dancing and smiling and just knew I had to capture that joy,” Archer remembers. “His energy is so infectious, and I felt like more people needed to see the magic we get to experience every day. I offered to film and post on his behalf, and it just took off from there.”
Archer now runs all of his social media accounts and assists him with filming and posting content.
“It started with a single video of him dancing that we posted on TikTok. People absolutely loved it. Within days, it had thousands of views,” says Archer. “From there, we kept sharing moments of him dancing, smiling, and interacting with students. Now, he’s a proper sensation. It’s been amazing to watch his following grow and the way people respond to his positivity.”
On the field
Wellington had a TikTok career highlight when he was invited to join the SU mascot, Pokkel, on the field during the FNB Varsity Cup final in April.
“At the stadium on Monday, I was so surprised to see people screaming for me, waving at me and wanting to take photos with me,” Wellington says.
While he admits defeat when it comes to Pokkel’s dance moves, it’s a different story when it comes to the fans.
“The only thing I can say, is the people were loving me, because they were screaming for me,” he says.
“I was beyond excited and so, so proud!” says Archer about the event. “It felt like such a full-circle moment – seeing someone who brings us joy every day being recognised on such a big stage. It was just the kind of wholesome, feel-good moment that everyone needed.”
Embracing who he is
Wellington was initially hesitant to start with TikTok as he worried about what people would say.
“I was scared to go look at the likes [and the comments],” he says. But his fear was unfounded.
While he has thousands of online fans, his number one supporter is his youngest son, who is nine. Wellington plays a voice note from his son: “I’m watching your TikTok dad, I’m proud.”
He has overcome his fear of TikTok.
“I want to do more now,” says Wellington. “I want to do [TikToks] also when I’m back home in [the] Eastern Cape. I want to show my mother! I want to show everything about me.”
“I’m not scared anymore,” he says.
Masixole Wellington Ngqubungu greeting individuals as they drive by. “Wellington is such an inspiration. People connect with his joy, his authenticity, and the way he brightens up even the simplest moments,” says Lize Archer, a fourth-year LLB student at Stellenbosch University who assists Wellington with his content.“He reminds us to smile more, to always make time to dance, and to find happiness in the everyday.”PHOTO: Daniela Botha