Page 48 - Waterfall City_Issue 11_2022
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Waterfall City Today’s Child
TAKALANI SESAME
A true South African icon
T akalani Sesame, the ground- One of the reasons for the show’s whose life was significantly impacted
enduring appeal is its ability to tap into
by the show – it seems that many
breaking South African
the zeitgeist of the times. This season’s
children’s programme, has
people the actors meet have a story to
educated and entertained
children for more than 22 years. accent on ‘big emotions’ is a case in tell about their favourite character.
point: in fact, Damon Berry, the talent
Named the Best Children’s who brings Elmo to life, says that this Damon recalls one of his experiences:
Programme at the South African has been a real highlight during his “We were once doing a location shoot
Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) 22 years as part of the show. “In our in Maboneng. While I was standing
2021, Takalani Sesame promotes exciting new season, Elmo gets a big there with my character, a businessman
early childhood education while feeling when he tries to play Zuzu’s in a suit got out of his fancy car and
supporting South Africa’s mother- Adventure game. It’s very powerful to started gesticulating. He wanted to
tongue based education policy see Elmo deal with real, big feelings like tell us what a huge fan he is, and how
with television, radio and digital being nervous,” Damon enthuses. the show has had a positive impact on
content, along with community him, and how it had helped him. What
and classroom engagement. While Damon says that his Takalani a blessing it is to see that we’ve made a
Sesame journey started when he real difference in people’s lives.”
TIMELESS APPEAL was cast as a character in the show’s
When asked “What’s your favourite very first season, other puppeteers Tumi Maratele, the voice of Zuzu, once
Takalani Sesame memory?” it’s not have fond memories of watching found herself seated on a flight next
only young South Africans who are the characters themselves. Take to her character’s ‘greatest fan’. “I was
able to offer an answer. Many of their Nozizwe Zulu, the talent behind Kami, wearing a Zuzu T-shirt, and she asked
moms and dads grew up with the for example: “Of course I watched where I got it from. When I told her I
show, singing along with the likes of the show when I was growing up! had received it on set, she told me that
Elmo, Zuzi, Kami, Moshe and Zikwe Everyone in my hood did.” Nozizwe Zuzu was her favourite character – and
every weekday after school. isn’t the only person on the team she couldn’t believe it when I told her
46 Waterfall City Issue 11 2022
