By KOJ
South African Paralympic Gold Medallist, Mpumelelo (Mpumi) Mhlongo and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Musa Motha are back at it again with the #StepItUp dance challenge. The duo were the first to participate in last year’s TikTok challenge in effort to raise awareness for clubfoot treatment. They both also featured in the Paris 2024 Paralympics opening ceremony with Mhlongo carrying the flag for South Africa and Motha performing a dance routine.
Spearheaded by STEPS, an award-winning non-profit support organisation that improves the lives of children born with clubfoot, citizens across South Africa, and the globe are encouraged to join in the dance challenge to help raise over 300k for clubfoot treatment this National Disability Rights Awareness Month. The campaign will culminate in a fun in-person activation at Blue Route Mall in Cape Town on Saturday, 07 December, where participants can partake in the #StepItUp challenge with Mpumi himself.
Children with clubfoot are born with one or both feet twisted inward and pointed downward (unilateral or bilateral), making the foot rigid and unable to return to the correct position. Studies show that Southern and East African populations have a higher incidence of this treatable birth defect, affecting approximately 1 in 500 children, including 2,000 in South Africa alone.
This year’s #StepItUp challenge, driven by the empowering message “I Am Possible,’ builds on the overwhelming success of last year's campaign, which saw the foot tapping choreography of Mapule Sesedinyana and electrifying beats from Dino Moran, Bee Deejay, and DJ Schuster raise over R230,000.00.
Born with clubfoot, Mpumi’s journey powerfully illustrates the possibilities that come with receiving treatment.
Mpumi says, “I have been incredibly fortunate to be a firsthand witness of the phenomenal work STEPS does. It has fundamentally changed my outlook on life. It serves as a reminder of how easily we can beat the odds and empower the children of today to be the future leaders that we need for South Africa to realise its potential.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by Motha, who adds ‘I often say Musa doesn’t believe in the word impossible; I break the word into two: ‘IM’ and ‘POSSIBLE’. This sends the message that everything is possible if you really try hard.” Motha lost his left leg to cancer when he was 10 years old.
Defying Disability: Thriving Despite Clubfoot
Clubfoot can be successfully corrected in over 90% of cases through a series of plaster casts and ongoing bracing. However, without prompt intervention, this condition can result in lifelong disabilities, pain and an uncomfortable appearance that may affect self-esteem and social interactions.
STEPS was founded by Karen Moss in 2005 after her son was born with the condition and is the only organisation in South Africa dedicated to supporting children with clubfoot. Since introducing the non-invasive Ponseti Method to South Africa, Moss has facilitated Ponseti training in Botswana, Namibia, and the Seychelles, revolutionising clubfoot treatment across Southern Africa.
"In running this NPO, I’ve seen far too often how children and adults with clubfoot are shunned by their families and communities, wrongly believing it to be an untreatable disability. At STEPS, we are committed to changing that narrative, educating people that clubfoot doesn’t have to be a lifelong disability if effectively treated. The #StepItUp Challenge is more than just a dance; it’s a movement to raise awareness about clubfoot and its solutions and the 'I Am Possible' message emphasises that clubfoot should never limit a child’s potential.
By promoting the safe, non-invasive Ponseti method, we aim to raise crucial funds, allowing children to walk, run, attend school, play sports, and fully embrace life—including the joy of dancing," says Moss.
The STEPS Clubfoot Care Programme supports a network of specialist clinics offering comprehensive treatment. It costs just R2,500 to support one child over four years of treatment This affordable investment enables children to walk, run, and reach their full potential, empowering them to lead active, opportunity-filled lives.
The #StepItUp Challenge invites everyone to get involved. Participants can create their own dance videos on TikTok using the hashtag #StepItUpChallenge, donate via the Back a Buddy platform, or join South African sporting hero Mpumelelo Mhlongo at Blue Route Mall for an in-person dance challenge on Saturday, 7 December.
For more information on how to participate in the #StepItUp Challenge or to make a donation, please visit: https://steps.org.za/
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