Page 49 - Kyalami Issue 4 2022

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

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

Zuzu and Tumi

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8 DPL issue 5 2022 Kyalami Estates • CONNECT • Issue 4 • 2022