Page 35 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 10 2022

Zulu, the talent behind Kami, for
example: “Of course I watched the show
when I was growing up! Everyone in my
hood did.” Nozizwe isn’t the only person
on the team whose life was significantly
impacted by the show – it seems that
many people the actors meet have
a story to tell about their favourite
character.
Nyanga, Zikwe and
Damon recalls one of his experiences: Reshoketswe (who
“We were once doing a location shoot in
Maboneng. While I was standing there operates Zikwe’s arm)
with my character, a businessman in a
suit got out of his fancy car and started
gesticulating. He wanted to tell us what
a huge fan he is, and how the show has
had a positive impact on him, and how
it had helped him. What a blessing it is
to see that we’ve made a real difference
in people’s lives.”

Tumi Maratele, the voice of Zuzu, once puppeteer.
found herself seated on a flight next “They always
to her character’s ‘greatest fan’. “I was want to know how
wearing a Zuzu T-shirt, and she asked we do it. That tells me
where I got it from. When I told her I that we’re doing something
had received it on set, she told me that right – because all children and
Zuzu was her favourite character – and adults believe in the magic and
Elmo and Damon she couldn’t believe it when I told her the messages the characters are putting Tshabalala points out that Takalani
that I puppeteer Zuzu! I had to show her across on screen.” Sesame has also played a critical role
photos of myself with Zuzu, do Zuzu’s in helping South African society to
giggle, speak in her voice and even HELPING CHILDREN WITH integrate, especially as it first appeared
sing a song. Needless to say, I ended up SPECIAL NEEDS on screens at a time when we were
performing for the whole flight!” For Lindani Nkosi, better known as Moshe, searching for a way to create cohesion.
the collaborations with individuals, “For the first time in the history of South
Nyanga Tshabalala, whose character is families and societies in need are what Africa, children and parents alike were
Zikwe, says that even if people don’t make the show so extraordinary. “It’s able to watch the same show in their
have their own stories about watching wonderful that we’ve been able to include mother tongue languages and receive
Takalani Sesame, they’re inevitably people with special needs, adults and the same information,” he says.
intrigued when they find out he’s a children alike,” Lindani says. Nyanga Recently, South Africa Sign Language

Sharon (who operates Kami’s arm),
Kami and Nozizwe

Zulu and Tumi

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