Talent runs deep in the family of Taliep Petersen.
Last week, we brought you the exclusive story of Fatiema Petersen, the youngest daughter of the late music legend and Madeegha Anders, who has become a social media singing sensation after suffering from Mutism for years.
Today, second-born daughter A’eesha Petersen tells the Daily Voice about her unexpected lead role in a brand-new TV series.
The SABC2 drama Melody is to be launched on 7 April.
A’eesha, 31, a married mom of one, says a life of business was all she knew as her heart was in “sales and nothing else” when she finished school.
“As a child of the Taliep Petersen, any school we went to was met with expectations that you are a singer, performer, art-loving person, but this wasn’t me,” she says.
“I’d always push my baby brother (Ashur) to the front and say pick him, he’s the singer.
“I played first division cricket at school and touch rugby outside of school and that was my passion.
“If I really had to sing, it would either be with my mom or my siblings because I’d never sing alone or without them.”
But all that changed when A’eesha was inboxed on Facebook last year by a director who wanted her to star in his series.
“In August 2019, I was asked to come and audition for a TV series. I read the message, then I read it again. I laughed because I thought this person was confusing me with one of my sisters.
“The person had in actual fact been speaking to the right Petersen.”
A’eesha says she agreed to go but fell ill the night before the audition
“The morning of the audition I was hugging the toilet pot, my nerves had completely gotten the better of me and I cancelled the audition but thanked the director for the opportunity and life carried on, until he contacted me again in November and told me to reconsider.
“Two days thereafter, I went for the script and rehearsal and then in December I started filming for the lead role of Nazli Hendricks in Melody.”
A’eesha says this was when destiny called.
“Nazli is a typical Muslim girl from an impoverished background in Athlone, but she has an incredible talent for classical music and she takes it far with her talent on the piano and keyboard and singing.
“I actually sang a song on set as part of my role, without my family, it was weird.
“Who was I fooling? Arts is in my blood, it’s what runs through my veins, I’m tog maar Taliep and Madeegha’s child, this is taqdeer (calling).
Mom Madeegha attends shoots with A’eesha every chance she gets.
SING: A'eesha and mom. Picture: Supplied
“I’m so proud of this child, it’s like seeing the younger me on stage.
A’eesha says she has one wish.
“My biggest wish is that my father could see me. I have a lump in my throat whenever I think about him on set. I hope he’s bragging with the angels about me, telling them ‘daai’s my dogter.’”
WISH: A'eesha and dad, Taliep. Picture: Supplied
Director Muneera Sallies says A’eesha is perfect for the job: “She is just amazing, she was the last to join the cast but the fit is so perfect.”
venecia.america@inl.co.za