Amputee dancer says his dreams stretch to far beyond dancing

Amputee dancer and Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) 2023 finalist, Musa Motha says there is more room in his life than just dancing and his sight is set on becoming a DJ.

“I am currently revisiting my DJing career. It’s something that’s really picking up momentum and I have been busy working on bookings, going to gigs, especially for this December. Hopefully, it goes well, and I become the deejay that I want to become. Next year, I have a few projects lined up that would require me to tour Paris and the UK,” said Motha.  

The 28-year-old dancer  from Sebokeng, once graced the stages at the Red Square Dance competition in 2017, at that time a member of the hip dance group Dynamic Crew that walked away with R35,000.  

Back then, Motha pledged the prize for arts. Now, he showcases dance mastery – Afrofusion, pantsula, hip-hop, and more – on social media, embracing amapiano’s new styles . 

Motha said with his growing success and popularity, he never lost sight of what was important.  

“I’ve never wanted to be a person that I am not, so I would say I never changed, and I try to be true to myself all the time in everything I do. It’s really about keeping the people who were there before things changed, especially the people who helped me a lot in getting to where I am,” said Motha.  

Motha was only eight years old at the time of his amputation. The doctors discovered a type of bone cancer called osteosarcoma, and when they discovered that it had spread, the doctors opted to amputate the leg. 

Before making his debut on BGT, he had spent most of his early 20s racking awards for his artistic dancing in which he used his crutches. He was awarded a Lesedi Spirit of Courage Award at the Naledi Theatre Awards in September 2020. Earlier this year he won, The Times Breakthrough Award at the South Bank Sky Arts Awards in London and was honoured at the 2023 National Dance Awards on June 5 at The Coronet Theatre in Notting Hill Gate, London.

He was also awarded this year’s Most Stylish Changemaker at the South African Style Awards.

About a year after joining the British company Ballet Rambert, propelling his career beyond SA, Motha found himself auditioning on the stages of BGT in Manchester in May.

He soon became a finalist, gaining unexpected international recognition.  

“The first thing would be that I got recognised internationally. I was already recognised at that stage, but it just seemed to elevate me more, especially in other countries that I never thought I would. It opened more doors. I got to meet up with the greatest superstars and life has never been the same ever since,” said Motha.  

He highlighted the most memorable time on the show was the overwhelming support from his South African fans.  

“That time really stood out to me when a lot of people from my country were behind me, constantly giving me support. The amount of attention I got from the country was remarkable. I saw the videos on social media and had interviews on radio and TV. I felt the support every time and that made me feel honoured” said Motha.  

Post the talent show, Motha has been busy with touring and new opportunities brought on by the show.  

“I have been getting more gigs and constantly travelling outside the country. Being able to work with a lot of people, like working with Vogue, who were interested in my story and wanted me in the issue,” said Motha.  

He mentioned goals beyond DJing, aiming to transform himself into a businessman.  

“I am currently working on a project of creating my own crutches line and still trying to decide whether I want to work on opening my own dance studio or an academy. This way, I can open opportunities and doors to people through dance professionally. I just want to be out there and continue doing my thing. Everything that I wanted for myself in the future and how to get there, that’s always been my focus,” said Motha.