25 Years Anniversary Celebration
This year, Sesame Workshop South Africa, the home of Takalani Sesame, is proudly celebrating 25 years of helping children grow smarter, stronger, and kinder; and we couldn’t have done it without you.
Together, we’ve brought joyful learning into homes, classrooms, and communities across the country. We have reached millions of children and families with the life skills they need to thrive. Through the power of play, the integration of media, and the strength of our partnerships, we’ve made every giggle, every “aha!”, and every shared story count. Follow along as we celebrate this incredible milestone on our social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube and revisit your childhood memories, meet the people behind your children’s favourite show, and discover what’s next for Sesame Workshop South Africa and Takalani Sesame.
About Takalani Sesame
Takalani Sesame is the ground-breaking South African children’s programme that has educated and entertained children for more than 23 years. Takalani Sesame was named the Best Children’s Programme at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) in 2021 and received another nomination for the 2023 SAFTAs. Takalani Sesame promotes early childhood education while supporting South Africa’s mother-tongue based education policy with television, radio, digital content, and community and classroom engagement.
Bond Through Play
Sesame Workshop South Africa is proud to announce the launch of this iconic campaign, #BondThroughPlay that shows fathers – and anyone acting in a “dad” role, that it’s ok to play! Not only will children enjoy it – but dads will too, and they will bond with their children in a meaningful way.
Watch More Here: Bond Through Play
“Play is the natural language of childhood. Playing with a father figure is a gift to a child, as through play children imagine, express, explore and understand the world around them,” says Mari Payne, Deputy Managing Director and Senior Director Education and Outreach.
Meet the Characters
Zuzu
Zuzu is a six-year-old light–hearted magenta monster who is a leader that never gives up! And that’s why this season Zuzu leads the Mega Challenge Game! Zuzu loves playing and making new things with Elmo! Confident and optimistic, Zuzu is full of answers and great ideas that she can share with her Takalani friends as they learn, explore, and grow together.
Elmo
Elmo is a three-and-a-half-year-old loveable and light-hearted red monster with an infectious giggle. He loves his Takalani friends almost as much as he loves fun-filled adventures. This season, Elmo leads his Takalani friends in the Giant Puzzle Game for all his friends. Elmo especially looks up to Zuzu and is always eager to make something special.
Moshe
Moshe is a very sweet and VERY large meerkat! Moshe loves to care for things smaller than him, which is why he has a beautiful garden and always looks out for his Takalani friends. He is there when friends need him to offer wisdom, insight, and love. Moshe is also an excellent dancer and this season he leads the Move With Moshe Game with all his friends. Look out for his moves whenever music starts!
Zikwe
Zikwe is a blue, furry monster who is also a world traveller. He keeps his Takalani friends laughing as he helps them play, learn and discover new things. This season Zikwe leads the Takalani friends in his Finding Game! Catch Zikwe tinkering on his taxi and listen for his catch phrase “Qollolops!” when the Takalani team works together and has fun!
Kami
Kami is an intelligent and inquisitive yellow monster who loves to read and help her friends try new ideas. Her HIV positive status helps her teach her Takalani friends about staying healthy and having a great outlook on life. This season, Kami leads her Takalani friends in the Adventure Game! Kami also loves music and is always ready to sing with her Takalani friends about sharing, caring, and being kind with Ubuntu songs!
Basma
Basma is a high energy, almost-six-years-old purple monster who jumps right into action whenever there is a problem to be solved. Despite not having it all figured out, Basma is always ready to “try, try, try again” to see her through challenges that arise during play time with her best friend Jad. This season Basma and Jad lead the Big Feelings Explorers animations, as they explore how to deal with big feelings. Basma and Jad also initiate short chit chats with children and talk about Ubuntu themes like togetherness, belonging, and more! Expressive in nature, Basma creates music and sound effects that colour her world.
Jad
Jad is an almost-six-year-old, yellow monster who loves to plan and organize. His favourite thing is to play with his best friend, Basma. Running into a problem doesn’t discouraging Jad, though. Before jumping into problem solving, Jad always remembers “We need a plan!” This season Basma and Jad lead the Big Feelings Explorers animations as they explore how to deal with big feelings. Basma and Jad also initiate short chit chats with children and talk about Ubuntu themes like togetherness, belonging, and more!
Grover
Grover is a fun and lovable blue monster with a cute pink nose. He is very eager to join in the fun with Basma, Jad, Chicken, and The Birds. But somehow, he often causes more trouble than he helps. This season, Grover joins Basma and Jad in the Big Feelings Explorers and Elmo and Zuzu in their Math Adventures! Grover has seemingly endless confidence, curiosity, and perseverance. He is eager to explore new things and start new adventures, even when he inevitably takes a few wrong turns along the way.
Chicken
Chicken is her name. She is the helpful heroine, always flocking to join her friends Basma and Jad’s fun and games. Whenever they call on her, Chicken is ready to help - especially if Basma and Jad need to make a hole in something! Chicken never means harm - though she loves to chase things and get distracted, causing problems that her friends help to solve.
Birds
The Birds are the playful and energetic feathered friends of Basma and Jad! The Birds offer support and encouragement to their Big Feelings Explorer friends. Through clucks and crows, they show Basma and Jad which way to go.
State of South Africa’s Father report 2024
On the 4th of February, Dr. Onyi Nwaneri, Mari Payne, Erika Jooste, and Fathima Rawat from the South Africa office participated in the launch of the State of South Africa’s Fathers Report 2024 in Stellenbosch. Sesame Workshop South Africa was crucial to the success of this report’s release, both financially and technically.
The team contributed significantly, including leading the development of Chapter 3, titled “Fatherhood and Early Childhood Development,” under the leadership of Fathima Rawat, Senior Manager of Research and Learning.
Click Here to read the report.
Competition Terms and Conditions
Read our Terms and Conditions for the 25 Years of Smarter, Stronger, Kinder competition.
Click Here: 25 Years of Smarter, Stronger and Kinder Competition Ts&Cs.
