“It's a life-changing experience.”
That's how South African-born dancer Musa Motha described making Britain's Got Talent (BGT) history after he achieved the show's first-ever group golden buzzer, for his phenomenal dance act that left the judges and fans in awe and tears.
Speaking to TimesLIVE Premium from the UK on Monday, Motha, an amputee, is still reeling from getting the group golden buzzer from Simon Cowell and his fellow judges, catapulting him to the semifinals.
“I cannot find the right words to describe the feeling, not that I got the Golden Buzzer but because I made history. I'm the first one to get a group golden buzzer in the history of BGT. I was emotional and excited,” he said.
Motha, 27, relocated from his Sebokeng, Gauteng, home to the UK in February last year.
He always had an interest in dance and music and wanted to make a name for himself overseas.
Motha's leg was amputated after he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer, in 2006.
I’m used to performing before thousands of people but it was a bit different performing in front of the four judges that I have been admiring since I knew about the show at a young age
— Musa Motha
“It was not easy for my family but for me it was not really that deep because I was still young and I didn’t understand what cancer was.”
His fighting spirit and love for movement propelled him to pursue his dream of becoming a dancer.
“My friends, who were dancers, taught me by drawing squares on the floor. I used my left crutch as my left leg and extended arm.
“I’m a versatile dancer, I do contemporary, pantsula, isbhujwa and ballet.
“Dance is the main priority. I’m currently stepping into acting as I want to be a movie star one day. I do motivational speaking, I’m a DJ and I also do video editing.”
Motha decided to enter BGT because he wanted to inspire people through his dance moves.
“I didn't enter with the mindset of competing but to reach out to more people on this planet.
“I’m used to performing before thousands of people, but it was a bit different performing in front of the four judges that I have been admiring since I knew about the show at a young age. I was nervous.”
Motha channelled his nervous energy into his performance which resulted in the judges and audience giving him a standing ovation.
After his performance, the crowds leapt to their feet call for the judges to sound the golden buzzer. When they eventually did, a highly emotional Motha fell to the ground as golden tinsel covered him.
The judges joined him on stage, full of praise, and Cowell embraced him tightly. They hailed him as a “hero”.
He is now focusing on the semifinals of the show — he is among the first batch who will audition on Monday.
“I'm crossing fingers I will make it to the finals.”
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