Finding My Own Rhythm: My Story

by Motsi Mabuse

Brought to you by Penguin.

From competing in tournaments round the world to being crowned Latin dance champion, becoming a beloved Judge on Strictly Come Dancing and starting her own dance school, Motsi Mabuse has never let anything hold her back from fulfilling her dreams.

In Finding My Own Rhythm, Motsi opens up about the determination, hard work and resilience it took to get to where she is today from the moment she fell in love with the glitterball world as a young child watching a dance tournament whilst on holiday. She takes us back to growing up in apartheid South Africa where she experienced exclusion and discrimination, raising money to compete in cut-throat international competitions and the huge leap of faith she took giving up her law degree, moving to Germany to be with her dance partner and throwing everything in to becoming the best dancer she could be.

Motsi leads us in to the dazzling, rhinestone-studded world of dance, through the ups and down, romances and heartbreaks, the long hours and the triumphs that made it all worth it, all while staying true to herself and moving to the beat of her own rhythm.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

Audible Audio

Published September 8, 2022

Reviews

[Becky Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooo what a great autobiography! Best one I've read in a while. Whilst Shirley Ballas' was 100% about dance and at times got a bit boring for a none dancer, I feel that Motsi got the balance right and talked a lot about travel and history and politics of South Africa. After reading these, I can totally see now why Motsi got so emotional at seeing Hamza's afro beats dance on Strictly.

[Aoife · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn’t have known much about Motsi’s professional dancing career, only knowing her as a judge on Strictly and the older sister of Oti, but in this book we hear about her dance journey in a South Africa after apartheid.

Motsi shares the sacrifices she made, how her dance partners became her life partners and how she finally found her rhythm and started dancing to the beat of her own drum.

I just thought she rushed the end of the book. I know a lot of people would have picked up the book to hear more from the Strictly judge and the inner workings of the show and would have been left a little underwhelmed and disappointed, but I actually would have loved to hear more about her new family dynamics, as she mentioned her Ukrainian in laws had made it to them and how they were all coping together.

[Beachcomber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and interesting look at how a young girl growing up in South Africa, becomes a dance champion. Filled with information about growing up during apartheid, and how her family helped instill a sense of drive and ambition in her, Motsi’s personality shines through. By the end of the book, you definitely feel that she’s found her self and place, and would be a great person to chat to over a drink.

Only slight quibble? The inevitable rash of memoir exclamations! We must be always excited telling our story! It’s a feature of memoirs though, so 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book I would have bought normally but I went to listen to Motsi at the Cheltenham Literature Festival and gained a new respect for the Strictly judge and award winning dancer. Her voice came through really well in the book and her absolute determination to be the best she can be - sometimes to a fault. She did somewhat skate over the end of her first marriage and the beginning of her second! I found particularly interesting the story of her early life living during apartheid.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had this read to me by Motsi herself as an audiobook and really enjoyed it. I found it both interesting to see where this lady that we see on Strictly come dancing came from and loved her honesty and thoughts about her life as she read it. Maybe it helped that it was Motsi that read it but I felt like she was my friend by the end of the book

[Gary Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Story: Motsi Mabuse

The story of a young Lady from South Africa who wouldn't take no for an answer. Through determination, hard work and a work ethic second to non, Motsi achieved her goals, a career and a family. The light of Strictly Come Dancing without doubt.

[Uzoamaka · Rating 3 out of 5]

A deeper look into the life of Motsi, the Strictly Come Dancing judge. Her life from childhood to now and how much dance influenced many of her life changes, decisions and all. I loved how she told the story centred around her so no one else was getting the shine (lol).

[peter watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read.

A fascinating journey over many years enduring huge challenges that presented themselves. Moto proved to be truly brave to overcome some of the difficulties that life threw at her, but she won threw them all. Great story.

[Shayne Ramsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a story, from an incredibly driven and exceptionally talented lady from my homeland!

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Motsi Mabuse.

[Sue Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a interesting book to read

[Carla Senior · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Pauline Musembi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely read

[Otone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Motsi is an undeniable star on TV and it was interesting to read about the competitive ballroom scene in South Africa growing up, but the way this was translated perhaps left much to be desired.