Page 50 - Waterfall City_Issue 11_2022

Waterfall City Today’s Child

Takalani Sesame (‘be happy Sesame’
in Venda) is the South African version
of the American children’s television
programme, Sesame Street, which
premiered on November 10, 1969. As
of 2021, Sesame Street has won 205
Emmy Awards and 11 Grammy Awards,
more than any other children’s show.
Takalani Sesame, was first broadcast on
SABC in July 2000, at a time when more
than half of SA’s children lacked access
to preschool. The show is designed
to support children’s development
through playful learning.

Official Hashtags: #AllNewTakalani
#TakalaniSesame
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
takalani.sesame.edu
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
takalanisesame
Instagram: https://www.instagram.
com/takalani.sesame/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/
channel/UCSOzE3-7BQn7GtiftoiIRsg
Website: https://takalanisesame.org.za/

in need are what make the show so educational media can positively young audience and that jargon used
extraordinary. “It’s wonderful that influence potential school success and will be well received,” explains Nkata.
we’ve been able to include people child development, which includes “Importantly, children relate to other
with special needs, adults and children learning in one’s mother tongue. We’re children, which is why we are thrilled
alike,” Lindani says. excited to now extend our offering and to have two children with hearing
cater to those children with hearing impairments join us on some episodes.”
Nyanga Tshabalala points out that impairments, reaching even more
Takalani Sesame has also played a children in our beautiful country,” adds “Takalani Sesame has brought together
critical role in helping South African Innocent Nkata, Managing Director of children from all walks of life and
society to integrate, especially as it Sesame Workshop South Africa. promoted the values of sharing and
first appeared on screens at a time getting along with others. These
when we were searching for a way to In the South African Sign Language efforts have focused on race relations,
create cohesion. “For the first time in episodes of Takalani Sesame, SASL on religious differences, gender attitudes,
the history of South Africa, children screen interpreter, Andiswa Gebashe, language diversity, and other cultural
and parents alike were able to watch is featured on the bottom right hand contrasts. ‘Inclusivity’ is a crucial
the same show in their mother tongue side of the screen. The show is fully ingredient to the Takalani Sesame
languages and receive the same signed from start to finish, including episodes. We are thrilled to extend our
information,” he says. songs. If there is audible language, language portfolio and make Takalani
then there is sign language. “We Sesame even more accessible and far
Recently, South African Sign Language worked with both Andiswa and reaching,” Nkata concludes.
was added as the sixth language Dr Natasha Parkins-Maliko, the Sign
to a selection of Takalani Sesame Language Advisor, who made sure that As a new generation of South Africans
episodes. “We already offered five of everything being signed was spot on. gets ready to sing along to Takalani
the current eleven official languages: They work together in a similar way Sesame’s theme song, one thing is for
isiZulu, English, Sesotho, isiNdebele to our translation and dubbing teams sure: the show will remain as much
and Afrikaans. This was because our – to make sure that the language a part of local life as shisanyama and
research showed that locally produced being used is appropriate for our biltong for years to come!

48 Waterfall City Issue 11 2022