Back, from left, are ballerinas from the Cecil Jacobs Outreach Community Project, Joemeeca Gous, Gabriella Julies, Alyssa Fransman and Chavonne Visagie with Shiloh Ohlson in front.
Cape Town ballet teacher Cecil Jacobs, 84, is still going strong, nurturing the next generation of ballet stars.
Through his non-profit organisation, Cecil Jacobs Outreach Community Project, in Strandfontein, and supported by his wife, Brenda, 74, and senior teacher, Channelle Appollis, Mr Jacobs has been teaching ballet for more than 50 years. The internationally acclaimed dancer is also a life member of the Royal Academy of Dance in London.
Mr Jacobs’s organisation, which used to be called the Cecil Jacobs Dance Project, resumed its Saturday dance classes earlier this month. Classes are offered to dancers from preschool to professional level from all areas.
“We used to have about 40 children coming to classes each week. Because of the Covid, we now only have 10,” he says.
“I take the children from 9am, and then Chanelle takes over at 10am until 3pm. Although I have knee troubles, I still teach with my hands.”
The ballet school is now preparing its dancers for the Royal Academy of Dance exam, which takes place annually in October.
“The girls couldn’t do their exams last year because the cost was too much for their parents so they are doing it this year.
“We have an examiner flying to South Africa from London for the exam.
“Being the only male most of the time who is teaching in South Africa so long, when the examiner comes, she is always amazed at the quality of our dancers and the work we do.”
The school’s numbers might have taken a knock from Covid, but Mr Jacobs says he does not believe in giving up and is determined to keep nurturing young talent even if that also means helping his pupils with their school work and providing a warm meal when they come to class.
“I don’t want to lose a child who is talented. One boy was at Strandfontein High; he is in Japan now, dancing and doing acrobatics.”
Ms Jacobs says: “Cecil believes if a child is hungry, they can’t do school work, neither can they dance. Hulle eet eerste, voor hulle ballet doen.
“If I take ballet or anything away from him, Cecil is no longer here. He is a classical ballet fundi. That is his dream and I can’t take it away.”
Mr Jacobs adds: “I was never a star, I was always a teacher, and I want to make others stars.”
Ballet classes take place at the couple’s home in Anzio Street, Strandfontein, from 9am to 3pm. The registration fee is R100. There is also a monthly fee determined by the couple in consultation with parents. For more information, contact Ms Jacobs at 082 497 8887.