What is the story of Johaar Mosaval?

Johaar Mosaval was born in Cape Town, South Africa, into a Muslim family. He first started as a gymnasts in 1947 at the University of Cape Town Ballet School, during the apartheid regime.

Due to the apartheid regime, coupled with family financial challenges and lack of support from his parents, Mosaval couldn’t foresee a successful dance career in South Africa.

He made his way to London via sponsorship from friends and fundraising by the local Muslim Progressive Society.

Mosaval arrived at Sadler’s Wells Ballet School and became the first black royal ballet dancer.

Johaar Mosaval Career

Mosaval danced with the Royal Ballet for 25 years, touring Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, the Far East, Canada, and the United States.

Mosaval served as dance partner to famous ballerinas like Margot Fonteyn, Svetlana Beriosova, Elaine Fifield, Lynn Seymour, Merle Park, Doreen Wells and Nadia Nerina.

Mosaval payed character dancing as Jasper the Pot Boy in “Pineapple Poll”, as Bootface in “The Lady and the Fool, as the Blue Boy in “Les Patineurs”, as Puck in “The Dream”, and the Blue Bird in “The Sleeping Beauty.”

Upon retirement, he relocated permanently to Cape Town.

Mosaval was the first black South African to appear on local television. In 1977, he founded his own ballet school and became “the first black Inspector of Schools of Ballet under the Administration of Coloured Affairs.”

Mosaval passed away on August 16, 2023, at the age of 95.