Photo Credit: Dokta Moyo
MUSA MOTHA
Musa Motha is a multi-award-winning professional amputee dancer who inspires others who live with disability, and he has a natural propensity to break down social stereotypes. Diagnosed with Osteosarcoma bone cancer at the age of eleven, Musa survived his battle with cancer losing his left leg with an amputation high above the knee. As a youngster, Musa had his heart set on becoming a professional footballer, however he found his passion for dance during his recovery – starting dancing in 2010 as a street dancer. “My friends taught me how to dance by drawing squares on the floor. The first dance genre that I learned is iSbhujwa, and I enhanced my dance vocab by adding Hip Hop and Pantsula as time went by.” Today, Musa tours internationally performing mesmerizing and uplifting dances, inspiring audiences of all ages to overcome adversity.
As a professional dancer, Musa has already experienced huge success. He has starred in Drake’s music video for ‘One Dance’ and most recently Musa received the first group Golden Buzzer as a contestant on Britain’s Got Talent in June 2023. He became a finalist on Britain’s Got Talent, and he went on to become a finalist on America’s Got Talent Fantasy League in February 2024. Since 2019, Musa has toured internationally as a dancer, having turned professional in 2018 – training with the Vuyani Dance Theatre in Johannesburg. Learning all manner of dance styles, Musa soon became very talented at performing tap, ballet, contemporary and afro-fusion styles of dance. In addition to his dancing, Musa has also appeared as a model on the cover of Vogue, as part of their May 2023 Disability Portfolio – “Nothing is More Fashionable Than Inclusivity”.
Musa also commits time to motivational speaking, video editing, photography, runway modelling and is a professional DJ. Awarded the Emerging Artist Award 2023 at the National Dance Awards, Musa is now a highly sought after performer all over the world. We are honored to have Musa perform at our 2024 Rise Up Gala, all the way from Johannesburg. Prepared to be awe-inspired and moved.