Page 36 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 10 2022

Today's Child

was added as the sixth language
to a selection of Takalani Sesame
episodes. “We already offered
five of the current eleven official
languages: isiZulu, English, Sesotho,
isiNdebele and Afrikaans. This
was because our research showed
that locally produced educational
media can positively influence
potential school success and child
development, which includes
learning in one’s mother tongue.
We’re excited to now extend our
offering and cater to those children
with hearing impairments, reaching
even more children in our beautiful
country,” adds Innocent Nkata,
Managing Director of Sesame
Workshop South Africa.

In the South African Sign Language
episodes of Takalani Sesame, SASL on
screen interpreter, Andiswa Gebashe,
is featured on the bottom right hand
side of the screen. The show is fully
Elmo and Damon
signed from start to finish, including
songs. If there is audible language,
then there is sign language. “We
worked with both Andiswa and Dr
Natasha Parkins-Maliko, the Sign
Language Advisor, who made sure
that everything being signed was
spot on. They work together in a
similar way to our translation and
dubbing teams – to make sure that the
language being used is appropriate for
our young audience and that jargon
used will be well received,” explains
Nkata. “Importantly, children relate
to other children, which is why we
are thrilled to have two children with
hearing impairments join us on some
episodes.”

“Takalani Sesame has brought
Moshe and Lindani together children from all walks
of life and promoted the values
of sharing and getting along
with others. These efforts have
Takalani Sesame (‘be happy Sesame’ in Venda) is the South African version focused on race relations, religious
of the American children’s television programme, Sesame Street, which differences, gender attitudes,
premiered on November 10, 1969. As of 2021, Sesame Street has won 205 language diversity, and other
Emmy Awards and 11 Grammy Awards, more than any other children’s show. cultural contrasts. ‘Inclusivity’ is a
Takalani Sesame, which airs weekdays on SABC 2 at 15:30, was first broadcast crucial ingredient to the Takalani
on SABC in July 2000, at a time when more than half of SA’s children lacked Sesame episodes. We are thrilled to
access to preschool. The show is designed to support children’s development extend our language portfolio and
through playful learning. make Takalani Sesame even more
accessible and far reaching,” Nkata
Official Hashtags: #AllNewTakalani #TakalaniSesame concludes.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/takalani.sesame.edu
Twitter: https://twitter.com/takalanisesame As a new generation of South
Africans gets ready to sing along
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takalani.sesame/ to Takalani Sesame’s theme song,
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSOzE3-7BQn7GtiftoiIRsg one thing is for sure: the show will
Website: https://takalanisesame.org.za/ remain as much a part of local life as
shisanyama and biltong for years to
come!

34 DPL issue 10 2022