Throughout his life the veteran ballet dancer Dr Johaar Mosaval has paved the way for male ballet dancers and those of colour who were interested in taking part in this type of performance dance. And it is safe to say he did a great job in doing so and leaves behind a beautiful legacy.
Mosaval passed away last Wednesday (16 August) at the age of 95 in a Cape Town hospital where he was treated for severe osteoarthritis and other health issues.
Earlier this year the local ballet dancer Cleto van Rooi, a Grade 12-learner at Paarl Boys’ High, portrayed Mosaval in the production Dreaming Dance in District Six: The Johaar Mosaval Story. Cleto was personally approached by the District Six Museum and Artscape to play the role of young Mosaval. Performing this part was a great highlight and privilege for Cleto.
The production consisted of several roles Mosaval portrayed in other ballet productions over the years. One of them is Puck from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a fairy who makes the wrong people fall in love and creates chaos. In Dreaming Dance in District Six Cleto portrayed a young Mosaval in the Puck role.
Mosaval was born in 1928 in District Six, Cape Town. He became the first black South African to be appointed senior principal dancer at the Royal Ballet in London – meaning Mosaval was in the highest ranks of his profession.
While overseas Mosaval had the opportunity to dance solo at the coronation celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. At the event he was able to personally meet the Queen, Prince Philip and Princess Margaret.
Mosaval returned to South Africa in 1976 and started teaching ballet in Mitchell’s Plain and Paarl. The following year he opened a ballet school and also became the first black inspector for ballet schools under the then administration of Coloured Affairs. Mosaval, however, resigned from this position when he realised he could share his ballet knowledge only with a certain section of the population.
Considering his ballet school was multi-racial, the apartheid government decided to close it, but he found other ways to continue sharing his passion.
Cleto says he feels honoured to have been able to portray Mosaval, and for also having the opportunity to dance in his presence.
“It was such an inspiration to see and hear Dr. Johaar Mosaval, and what ballet meant to him and what it took and the experiences that came with his journey. Plus still being active at the age of 95, such as driving himself around. His spirit was just so welcoming, pleasant and joyful. I will forever see him as one of my role models.”
