The late Taliep Petersen was one of the two brains behind the Musical Hits District Six and Ghoema, he was a producer, an artist, a song writer ( take for instance the ultimate summer song
Welcome to Cape Town) and a Capetonian Through and Through: Taliep Petersen.
This short interview was published before he passed away tragically in 2007:
In Memoriam
We asked Taliep Petersen several questions about his beloved city of Cape Town. The purpose? To let him, as a local, tell you where to go and what to do, and by so to unwrap the less known side of the Mother City.
1. Describe Cape Town in 5 words: Home, magnificent, love, beautiful, interesting.
2. What, apart from Table Mountain & Robben Island, one must see prior leaving? The Malay Quarters or the Bo-Kaap. This Cape Town area is very rich in history and culture. It is here where you get real Cape Malay Curries. The District Six Museum. This museum recalls the history and the tragic story of District Six, my home.
3. What is your favourite place in Cape Town? Home! I love being with my children as I am away very often and not home on a regular basis. I also enjoy the beaches, which I never did. The beach is a great place to spend quality time with my children.
4. What is a hidden must see in Cape Town for tourists? Like I mentioned before, the Kramats. They tell a big part of Cape Town's history and are all over the city, including on Robben Island and on your way to Signal Hill. They are forgotten highlights that are definitely worthwhile, especially when you are interested in the history and slave history of Cape Town. They are important to me because they not only tell a part of the history of Cape Town, but also the history of my people. I visit the Kramats a lot, with a special group of friends. Soul Satisfaction, that is what I get out of it.
5. Tell us a newsfact we don't know about? The Kramat of Robben Island and the Holy Shrine in Macassar recently were given Monumental Status. This means that the government will put effort and money into the conservation of these to us sacred places. To me, this was a very important event also because it means recognition to our leaders who lived in the Cape.
6. Where did you grow up in Cape Town?I grew up in District Six, until the area was declared a white zone. Me and my family were forcibly removed from our homes, which were flattened. District Six was once home to a multi-racial community, a vibrant community. It was alive! Until District Six had was demolished. The strangest thing is that no one thought the same would happen as in other regions in South Africa, as for instance Sophia Town in Johannesburg. Our deepest fears became reality. With District Six, Cape Town lost its heart.
If I would move back if I had the chance? I would have moved back yesterday instead of tomorrow. Everyone who once lived in District Six should be able to go back.
7. What is your favourite community project? That would be what I do: I coach and train several Cape Malay choirs but also several minstrel troops for the annual Cape Minstrel Parade. I teach them music, singing, and dancing. Don't forget that the parade is a competition between all the different troops! For me, this is important because it keeps alive the cape Malay culture and our music. Because within Cape Tonian history and culture, the Cape Malay or former slaves play an very important role.
8. Cape Town of New York? Cape Town. Like I said before, Cape Town is home. I was offered to go abroad but every fiber of my body and soul say "no". I am a Cape Tonian and I am going to stay here. Period.
More about Taliep Petersen:
Source: CapeTownMagazine.com
From mid 2008 we will have a dinner and interview with a unique Capetonian, rich or poor, but always a character Capetonian.
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