


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.

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.
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.

