in living memory
On pointe
Johaar Mosaval, ballet dancer
‘Dulcie Howes told me I would never, ever get a job in London - not because of my colour, but because I was too short. I didn’t care.’
‘Ballet has always been in my life,’ says 92-year-old Johaar Mosaval. ‘When I was about two – practically as soon as I could walk – my parents would put me on top of the table, clap hands and sing for me, and I would start dancing. If I didn’t want to do it, they would throw pennies on the table to get me to dance. I knew I could use that to buy chocolates!’
Growing up in District Six, Johaar’s knack for gymnastics and performing in his school’s pantomimes caught the attention of a talent scout, and he started studying ballet under Dulcie Howes, the founder of The University Ballet School (now known as Cape Town City Ballet). By the time he was 19, Johaar had caught the attention of the ballet community, and at 22, he was sent to study ballet in London at the Sadler’s
