By Peter Feldman
Taliep Petersen, one of South Africa’s most renowned singers, composers and directors who tragically passed away in the prime of his life in December 2006, has been posthumously honoured by the Naledi Theatre Awards with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Award was presented by his great friend and creative partner of 20 years, David Kramer, who flew up from Cape Town especially for the Awards event. Taliep’s youngest daughter, Fatiema and her big sister, Natasha received the award from Kramer.
Taliep’s memory lives on through his music and his many acts of kindness, which people, especially in the Cape Town community in which he worked, will never forget. He collaborated with David Kramer, bringing such memorable productions as District Six: The Musical, Kat and the Kings, Ghoema and Crooners to the stage.
His family are “incredibly proud and emotionally moved” by this Lifetime Achievement recognition. Taliep’s eldest daughter, Jawaahier Petersen says; “”One of our greatest fears has always been that he will be forgotten and that with each passing year, people will forget his contribution to the arts and to the history of this country. Every award or acknowledgement of this nature eases that fear and gives us another reason to be proud of the life he led and the legacy we inherited.”
Jawaahier says it has been a great challenge for the family to move on after his death. “The unexpected and tragic nature of his ending further complicates the bereavement process and it brings with it anger, intense sadness and deep despair that was exacerbated by the very public trial that followed.”
“Thankfully, in the almost decade that has passed, we have been able to celebrate him, laugh in his memory, smile at the thought of him and joke about what he would have said or done at our weddings, graduations, and births of our children. Each milestone presents its own pain but I am incredibly proud of my siblings for our resilience and courage to remain strong even when the world had moved on and we were left to fend for ourselves.”
She adds that the message they will put out to others is to never for a second feel or think that any person is exempt from hardship. “Our father lived a very private but high-profile life and the tragedy of his murder struck us all. Human pain is not limited to any particular group of people. It also might sound clichéd but one should never underestimate one’s strength until being strong is the only option you have. Grief is a process that is not linear, nor does it come with deadlines. Allow it to unfold as it should.”
For more information, visit www.naleditheatreawards.org.za and watch the 2016 promotional video www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR3-vsl-FPc. Alternatively, you can connect with them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/NalediTheatreAwards/) or on Twitter (twitter.com/NalediAwardsSA).
Author: Gilly Hemphill
Website: http://www.thefamousidea.co.za/
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