In the 21 years since Takalani Sesame first aired on South African screens, there have been some incredible memories; these are some of the memorable events.
South Africa (20 September 2022) – As we celebrate the new season of Takalani Sesame airing on SABC2, the beloved series continues to make an impact—not just for fans but for the talent behind some of the most beloved characters. With a curricular focus on ‘big emotions,’ mirroring the intense feelings experienced by many children throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the season has been a special one for the actors who bring the beloved Muppets to life.
Takalani Sesame is the ground-breaking South African children’s programme that has educated and entertained children for more than 21 years. Recently named the Best Children’s Programme at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA).
What’s your favourite Takalani Sesame memory? It’s not only young South Africans who are able to offer an answer to this question; many of their moms and dads have grown up with the show, singing along with the likes of Elmo, Zuzi, Kami, Moshe and Zikwe, every weekday after school.
One of the reasons for the show’s timeless appeal is its ability to tap into the zeitgeist of the times. The newest season’s accent on ‘big emotions’ is a case in point: in fact, Damon Berry, the talent who brings Elmo to life, says that this has been a real highlight during his 22 years as part of the show.
“In our exciting new season, Elmo gets a big feeling when he tries to play Zuzu’s Adventure game. It’s very powerful to see Elmo deal with real big feelings like being nervous,” Damon enthuses.
Damon has had a similar experience: “We were once doing a location shoot in Maboneng. While I was standing there with my character, a successful businessman in a suit got out of his fancy car and started gesticulating out of the window. He wanted to share what a fan he is, and how the show has had a positive impact on him…how it had helped him. What a blessing it is to see that we’ve made a real difference in people’s lives,” Damon muses.
While the puppeteers (or at least, their furry alter egos) have become household names, they all agree that one of the best parts of working on the show is getting to collaborate with South African superstars.
The show has a proud history of bringing the cream of local talent onto the set. Think of the time Zikwe taught Jimmy Dludlu to play guitar, or when Elmo jammed with Bra Hugh Masekela, for example. The current series is no different: this time, we’re graced with the presence of the likes of Sho Majozi, Prev Reddy, The Goliaths, Holly & Mimi Ray, Farieda Metsileng and David Kau.
For Lindani Nkosi, better known as Moshe, the inclusion of such celebrities is a highlight – but perhaps even more memorable are the collaborations with individuals, families and societies in need.
“It’s wonderful that we’ve been able to include people with special needs, adults and children alike,” Lindani says.
As the series celebrates its 13th season, which airs weekdays on SABC 2 at 15:30, it’s clear that one of the reasons for the show’s evergreen appeal, is its ability to keep pace with the times, maintaining relevance and a deep connection with each new generation of youngsters. Who can forget the addition of Kami to the show, for example? As the first HIV-positive Muppet, this much-loved member of the crew had a critical part to play in educating South Africans about living with the virus.
As a new generation of South Africans gets ready to sing along to Takalani Sesame’s theme song, one thing is for sure: the show will remain as much a part of local life as shisanyama and biltong for years to come!
After more than 21 years on South African screens, it’s no exaggeration to say that Takalani Sesame has become a household name. In fact, the lovable Muppets of Takalani Sesame have become an entrenched part of family life for generations, making this a true heritage brand.
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