Simon Mogomtsi Moshire Maphutha’s Stage , Where Grit Meets Grace and Movement Becomes Hope

Once upon a middle school afternoon, a friend asked him to be her dance partner — and that single “yes” spun him into a lifelong love affair with the arts.
From transforming shy kids into stage-stealing stars to swapping the spotlight for arts administration, he’s proof that creativity isn’t just a pastime, it’s a lifeline. Fueled by grit, courage, and a stubborn refusal to fit into the corporate box, he’s turned dance floors into safe havens, projects into lifelines, and doubters into believers.
For him, art isn’t what you do after work; it’s the work, the joy, and the revolution.

Meet Createpreneur Africa, South Africa’s Simon From Two Left Feet to Leading with Heart

Simon Mogomtsi Moshire Maphutha : From Dance Floors to Life-Changing Arts Leadership

1. Tell us what drives you? What is your true passion in life?
I believe the creative industries are the best way to heal us. Art, especially dance, has the power to calm the mind, lift the spirit, and help us forget the parts of life we’d rather leave behind. It’s more than a career for me; it’s a calling.

2. How did you find your passion, and how old were you?
It all began in middle school when a friend asked me to be her dance partner at a local studio. I said yes, and that single moment changed my life. I fell in love with dance instantly.

3. What about your passion appeals to you the most?
Dance transforms people. I’ve seen shy kids step into the spotlight and shine. I’ve watched children from difficult homes find joy, confidence, and a safe space to escape their troubles, even if just for a while.

4. What drove you to make money from your passions?
In South Africa, academic excellence is often the only focus, leaving talented youth with nowhere to go. Through projects funded by the National Arts Council, I’ve been able to save many from depression and crime. I wanted to prove that art isn’t just a pastime, it’s a way of living, and it can sustain you financially.

5. When was the first time you were paid for your passion?
My first pay came from an EPW program that allowed me to teach dance. It wasn’t just about the money, it was about inspiring kids and giving hope to those who felt they had none.

6. What kept you going when you thought about giving up?
Arts is not for the faint-hearted. It takes courage, commitment, and grit to make it look effortless on stage. There will always be doubters, but it’s up to you to decide how you want to be seen and remembered.

7. What motivates you every day to be even more successful?
I keep pushing because not everyone is meant for the corporate world. I’ve seen too many people become depressed in environments that stifle their creativity. I want to create spaces where people can thrive.

8. What do you have to say to all of the people who doubted you?
Doubt is inevitable,but it’s also fuel. I choose to let my work speak for itself.

9. What advice do you give to aspiring creatives who look up to you?
Art is a way of life. It demands courage, commitment, and resilience. If you love it, give it everything you’ve got, because the world needs your voice, your vision, and your light.