She’s on a career road of note
ICKING up the pieces after the loss of her mother, a Johannesburg actress, presenter, musician and corporate woman, Tilisha Govender, is hoping to make waves in the music industry.
The 33-year-old beauty, who hails from Pietermaritzburg, was recently assigned to record label SA Local Content to be part of a collaborative album titled A Place in Time.
It is dedicated to the journey of Indian South Africans.
Growing up in a musicallyinclined family, with her grandfather playing the double bass for the Odeon Orchestra, and owning her first guitar at the tender age of 7, Govender says she was destined to become a singer. She sang in the school choir and at church, and eventually wanted to live out her dream to perform on a national level.
She went on to present Eastern Mosaic, was cast in the television series Scandal and played a singer on another TV series, Rhythm City.
Govender, who holds a BCom degree in Applied Economics, said the journey had not always been a smooth ride.
After her mother passed away from stage four stomach cancer in 2013, she sunk into a state of sadness, returning to live with her dad and brother at their home in Kloof, Durban, with her entertainment and corporate career being put on the back burner.
“I had lost my best friend. My mother was not just my mother, she was my strength, motivator and inspiration. When I was 19, I wanted to audition for Idols but doubted my ability. She was there to tell me ‘if you don’t try, you would never know the difference between failure and success’.
“I had lost my biggest support system and no longer felt the urge to sing or play guitar, as every time I would think of her and cry.”
These emotions went on for a year, before Govender realised her mother would not have wanted her to kill her dreams.
“I felt I was losing that side of me, my greatest love, so I hopped on a plane back to Johannesburg, where I acquired a job as an insight strategist for a marketing company.
“In November last year, I decided to pursue my dream of being a musician, so I started an amateur YouTube channel, Tilisha G, a platform for me to be myself. I made videos of me giving advice on topics such as relationships as well as doing cover songs.”
A friend of Govender’s, who had seen an insert on a TV show, SA Local Talent, searching for musicians, advised her to enter.
“They were looking for artists to perform original pieces of music. The album, which is set to be released later this year, documents the journey of Indian South Africans.
“It tells the story of Indians who were born in South Africa, their growing-up environment and lifestyle. I sent a video to their Facebook page ( SA Local Talent) of me performing a song and within a few days I had received a message asking for a recording of me singing. The rest is history.
“It was an absolute honour and privilege to be given this opportunity, not only to showcase my talent but to enlighten the country about my culture and heritage.”
Govender, who enjoys folk, acoustic and alternate music, is in the process of securing her first solo album deal.
“It is very exciting to know I will soon be recording my own album. I am finally realising my dream. Through it all, I have always led my life through my mother’s words.
“I hope to inspire the other big dreamers, not just musicians, to always believe anything can happen. The colour of your skin, where you were born or the adversities you are facing do not define you. Always have positive thoughts, which in turn yield positive results.”