Page 43 - Silver Lakes December Issue 2022

TODAY’S CHILD

A TRUE SOUTH AFRICAN ICON

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

Elmo and Damon

INTRAMUROS DECEMBER 2022 | 41