Jojo: Finally Home celebrates the incredible journey that Johannes Radebe has been on so far – out now from Jonathan Ball Publishers!

These are the personal stories of family, friendship, grief, love and how dance transformed Jojo’s life.

In 2021, Johannes Radebe became the first male dancer to perform in heels in Strictly Come Dancing history.

Wearing black patent leather boots, Radebe danced with a red ‘Pose’ fan to a rendition of Blondie’s Rapture. That year, Radebe was also part of only the second same-sex pair on the show, dancing with Great British Bake-Off winner John Whaite, and though the response from the UK public was overwhelmingly positive, Radebe still faced abuse that highlighted the continuing fight against homophobia and racism.

For Radebe this instantly iconic dance was about more than just a tribute to voguing: it was Radebe’s coming out. After that performance, Radebe flew home to South Africa to see his mum and had a conversation about his sexuality – the first they ever had.

In this uplifting memoir that’s about overcoming struggles and finding joy, Radebe will explore his upbringing in South Africa, his struggles with bullying and with shame about his sexuality. He will also write about the safety he always felt in the dance studio and, now, in the Strictly Come Dancing family where he feels he has finally found his tribe.

 

Categories International Non-fiction South Africa

Tags Biography Johannes Radebe Jojo Jonathan Ball Publishers Memoir New books New releases