Alberton ballroom dance coach keeps bagging international awards
Jumah Mohammed runs a ballroom dance studio from the Alberton Civic Centre for young and old who want to learn.
Alberton’s self-taught world champion has won more awards.
Jumah Mohammed, who sees himself as ‘the dance that started alone’, is fresh from Bydgoszcz in Poland, with a collection of global titles.
In June, Mohammed received accolades for his solo ballroom and solo Latin dancing.
His recent titles include world champion in Viennese waltz and slow foxtrot, and gold in waltz, tango, and quickstep. He also won gold in samba and paso doble, silver in cha-cha, rumba, and jive.
His multiple titles make him South Africa’s first multi-world champion in solo ballroom and solo Latin dancing.
Mohammed’s latest wins follow his first world championship victory in April, also in Poland – a triumph that marked the beginning of what is already being called a historic season for South African dance.
His journey began during the Covid-19 lockdown, while dancing alone. Without a coach, a team, or formal lessons, he studied dance obsessively, training day and night.
“It was not glamorous. I used a plastic chair as my partner,” said Mohammed, laughing.
“I watched online clips and tried to mimic them. I fell. I failed. But I never stopped.”
In 2023, he took second place at the WDC AL Solo World Championships in the Netherlands.
Last year, he won the All Africa Solo Ballroom Championship (Seychelles), the European Solo Ballroom Championship (Sweden), and placed third at the WDC Worlds (Netherlands).
He is also the undefeated South African Solo Ballroom champion, a title he has held for several years.
Mohammed runs a ballroom dance studio from the Alberton Civic Centre, where he teaches young and old who want to learn.
At Saint Ballroom Alberton, Mohammed offers ballroom and Latin for beginners or competitors, as well as jazz, salsa, bachata, wedding choreography, and group or private lessons for both adults and children.
“I created this space for the dreamers; the ones who think they are too late, too shy, or too behind. I am proof that all you need is belief.”
Mohammed is preparing for the WADF World Championships in Azerbaijan, where he will compete for the solo smooth title.
Saint Ballroom Alberton is open for enrolment. Contact them on 084 553 2937, email j@saintballroom.co.za or follow Saintballroom on Facebook or Instagram.
