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Today’s Child

TAKALANI SESAME

A true South African icon

akalani Sesame, the ground- One of the reasons for the show’s life was significantly impacted by the
breaking South African children’s enduring appeal is its ability to tap into show – it seems that many people the
Tprogramme, has educated and the zeitgeist of the times. This season’s actors meet have a story to tell about
entertained children for more than accent on ‘big emotions’ is a case in their favourite character.
22 years. Named the Best Children’s point: in fact, Damon Berry, the talent Damon recalls one of his experiences:
Programme at the South African Film who brings Elmo to life, says that this has “We were once doing a location shoot in
and Television Awards (SAFTA) 2021, been a real highlight during his 22 years Maboneng. While I was standing there
Takalani Sesame promotes early as part of the show. “In our exciting new with my character, a businessman in a
childhood education while supporting season, Elmo gets a big feeling when he suit got out of his fancy car and started
South Africa’s mother-tongue based tries to play Zuzu’s Adventure game. It’s gesticulating. He wanted to tell us what
education policy with television, very powerful to see Elmo deal with real, a huge fan he is, and how the show has
radio and digital content, along with big feelings like being nervous,” Damon had a positive impact on him, and how it
community and classroom engagement. enthuses. had helped him. What a blessing it is to
While Damon says that his Takalani see that we’ve made a real difference in
TIMELESS APPEAL Sesame journey started when he was people’s lives.”
When asked “What’s your favourite cast as a character in the show’s very Tumi Maratele, the voice of Zuzu, once
Takalani Sesame memory?” it’s not only first season, other puppeteers have fond found herself seated on a flight next
young South Africans who are able to memories of watching the characters to her character’s ‘greatest fan’. “I was
offer an answer. Many of their moms and themselves. Take Nozizwe Zulu, the talent wearing a Zuzu T-shirt, and she asked
dads grew up with the show, singing behind Kami, for example: “Of course I where I got it from. When I told her I
along with the likes of Elmo, Zuzu, Kami, watched the show when I was growing had received it on set, she told me that
Moshe and Zikwe every weekday after up! Everyone in my hood did.” Nozizwe Zuzu was her favourite character – and
school. isn’t the only person on the team whose she couldn’t believe it when I told her

18 • Issue 11 2022 • The Villager