In a riveting conversation with Imbizo Magazine, Zephe Thandiwe Moloi shared her extraordinary journey as an artist. A multi-talented dancer, choreographer, and poet, Zephe has spent over 20 years redefining the performing arts landscape, breaking stereotypes, and inspiring audiences both locally and internationally.
Zephe recalls that her artistic journey began at an early age. “I was born for this,” she says with pride. Growing up, she was energetic and active, always participating in dance and other activities. Over time, what began as a hobby turned into a career? “When I realized dance wasn’t just a hobby but a career, I knew this was what I was going for,” she explains. Her work as a choreographer emerged naturally as she began teaching dance and music at an art center, honing her skills and discovering her talent for creating compelling pieces. Her poetry, on the other hand, became a means of expressing her emotions and interpreting them into dance, blending movement with storytelling. With a career spanning more than two decades, Zephe has had many remarkable achievements. However, she highlights winning the Dance Star competition in Croatia as the pinnacle of her career. “That was the night,” she says. “We were world champions out of thousands of countries that were there.” This achievement cemented her reputation on the global stage.
Growing up in Katlehong, a community known for its vibrant arts scene, Zephe’s passion for Pantsula dance flourished. “Most artists in our kasi are Pantsulas,” she says. However, she sought to challenge the stereotype that Pantsula was a male-dominated dance form. “I wanted to correct that. All humans can dance Pantsula—black or white, men or women. It’s all in you,” she asserts. Her efforts paid off, and she is now celebrated as the “Pantsula Queen.”
Winning the Stumbo Stomp Amapantsula competition was another milestone that opened new doors for her and brought greater recognition to Pantsula as an art form.