Johaar Mosaval
Johaar Mosaval (1928 -) [1]. Ballet dancer from Cape Town.
Contents
Biography
Born during apartheid into a religious community that rejected ballet, and far too short to be a principal dancer, Mosaval nonetheless became the first Muslim principal dancer of colour to join The Royal Ballet company in England.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
Performed in the pantomime Dick Whittington in the Cape Town City Hall in 1946.
In 1962 he danced the principal role in the ballet The Square by Stanley Glasser. It was originally performed in 1962 by the Eoan Group, and was the first full length indigenous jazz ballet by a local composer for a South African ballet group.
He made history in 1976 by being the first black dancer to perform at the Nico Malan Theatre.
Awards, etc.
Johaar Mosaval; Lifetime Achievement Award - Arts Act Award 2016.
From District Six to Covent Garden, the life and achievements of ballet legend Johaar Mosaval were celebrated at the Suidoosterfees in Cape Town in honour of his 90th birthday which was celebrated in January 2018.
Sources
Report by Steyn du Toit, Business Day, 4 May 2018.
Return to
Return to ESAT Personalities M
Return to South African Theatre Personalities
Return to Main Page
