Sesame Workshop South Africa celebrated the 25th anniversary of Takalani Sesame this week, with celebrations at the offices of its founding partners.
Takalani Sesame has been a trusted companion to millions of South African children for 25 years, by sparking joy and encouraging curiosity, helping to make children smarter, stronger and kinder. From the very beginning, Sesame Workshop South Africa, the non-profit organisation behind Takalani Sesame, has worked tirelessly to promote early education, health and wellbeing through beloved characters, programmes and culturally relevant stories.
“Takalani Sesame began as a pioneering television show, and has now become a cultural mainstay, reaching over 7 million viewers and being embraced by 95% of households with young children,” explains Dr Onyinye Nwaneri, Managing Director of Sesame Workshop South Africa.
For a quarter of a century, Takalani Sesame has transformed early childhood education in South Africa, while addressing critical topics such as inclusion, diversity, ubuntu and wellbeing. In doing so, Sesame Workshop has earned awards and nominations along the way, from International Emmy® nominations to a Peabody Award, and numerous SAFTA awards and nominations. The celebrations began on Wednesday, 30 July, when the beloved muppets, Zikwe and Kami joined the Sesame Workshop team led by Dr Nwaneri, at the Department of Basic Education.
As part of the 25 years celebration, Sesame Workshop entered into a forward-focused partnership with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) aimed at promoting the importance of early learning and early stimulation as well as driving early childhood development (ECD) registration across the country. The partnership forms part of the Bana Pele (Putting Children First) campaign, which is a drive to position children as national assets and ensure that all young learners benefit from safe, high-quality, and registered ECD services.
“Takalani Sesame is a much-loved educational brand that has supported generations of young South African children with fun and engaging learning. Sesame Workshop aligns with our vision to put our youngest citizens first and prioritise early learning as a national imperative. We are delighted to celebrating Sesame Workshop’s 25th anniversary because it is also a celebration of children as South Africa’s greatest assets,” said Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube.
Dr Nwaneri says the campaign is more than recognition of an anniversary, it’s a call to action to the nation to work together to make sure no child is left behind. “The Department of Basic Education has been in our corner since day one. It fills me with much joy and gratitude to be celebrating our birthday with the DBE, but more so, to reaffirm our partnership with this registration drive to help every child have the opportunity to be the best they can be,” she adds.
During the month of July, Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube in partnership with Sesame Workshop, embarked on a series of Bana Pele Registration Clinics across the country, so far having visited ECD centres in Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape with the next activation planned for Eastern Cape. The clinics have provided children and families the opportunity to see their favourite Takalani Sesame’s muppets and engage in a vibrant kiddies play zone and interactive storytelling, which was all designed to bring joy while highlighting the importance of early learning.
On the official anniversary date, Thursday, 31 July, Takalani Sesame’s birthday celebrations started at SABC, where the very first episode Takalani Sesame aired on 31 July 2000.
“The SABC has truly been a wonderful partner to Takalani Sesame, providing us with a platform for the show to reach millions of South African children over the last 25 years,” says Dr Nwaneri. “It’s been a beautiful journey, one in which we have seen many famous and familiar faces on our SABC TV screens, including our late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and childhood heroes Banyana Banyana, to musicians like Sho Madjozi, and comedians such as David Kau and The Goliaths.”
Jacqui Hlongwane: Genre Manager: SABC Education and Children comments, “As a founding media partner broadcasting the show on SABC 1, SABC 2 and S3, we are proud to have been part of this remarkable journey from day one. For 25 years, Takalani Sesame has supported early childhood education, health and social inclusion, helping the SABC deliver on its children’s, education and language mandates through accessible, engaging and culturally relevant content. Importantly, the show, which is currently on air, is broadcast in most of South Africa’s official languages, further ensuring its accessibility and resonance with children across the country. On the occasion of Takalani Sesame’s 25th anniversary, as the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and SABC Education, we extend our warmest congratulations and wish Takalani Sesame, a very happy birthday.”
“Takalani Sesame, a multi-award-winning programme has made a profound impact on South African society. With pioneering characters like Kami, the world’s first HIV-positive muppet and a UNICEF Champion for Children, Takalani Sesame has tackled complex issues with compassion and creativity. As we conclude our Mandela Month celebrations, it is especially fitting to reflect on Nelson Mandela’s powerful words: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” As the SABC and SABC Education, we proudly celebrate this incredible milestone and look forward to continuing this important partnership with Sesame Workshop. Happy 25th Birthday, Takalani Sesame.”
The day concluded with a visit to I Can Day Care Centre in Pimville, Soweto, in a symbolic celebration of the significance of early childhood development.
Today Takalani Sesame is a trusted household name, recognised in 88% of households with young children, and reaching an estimated 3.8 million children monthly through television, radio, and digital platforms. In addition to its media reach, Sesame Workshop delivers direct services in Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal, operating in 8 districts and 19 communities.
Everyone can join in the birthday celebrations on social media, by following Takalani Sesame on Facebook, X, Instagram.
Takalani Sesame is broadcast in Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, IsiZulu, and Sesotho, Mondays to Fridays at 15:00 on SABC2 with the rebroadcast on SABC1 at 07:00. Takalani Sesame Seasons 12-18 may also be watched on demand on Showmax.
About Sesame Workshop International South Africa
Sesame Workshop International South Africa is the local affiliate of Sesame Workshop. For over 25 years, we have worked at the intersection of education, media, and research, creating joyful experiences that enrich minds and expand hearts.
Since 2000, Sesame Workshop International South Africa has been dedicated to advancing early childhood development to foster the cognitive, emotional, and social development of children, empowering them to grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.
Through our flagship programme, Takalani Sesame, we engage children and families across the nation with a broad range of educational content on television, radio and digital platforms. Our outreach programmes include empowering ECD practitioners, foundation phase teachers, government stakeholders, social workers, parents and the community at large.
Guided by research and expertise, we are committed to supporting caregivers and educators by providing trusted resources that enrich the lives of children. We strive to be a caregiver’s valued partner, and a child’s trusted friend.
To learn more, visit Sesame Workshop International South Africa and connect with us on LinkedIn, or follow Takalani Sesame on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
SUPPLIED.
