Following the successful airing of seasons 15 and 16 of Takalani Sesame on SABC in Sesotho and IsiNdebele from December 2024, Sesame Workshop International South Africa is pleased to continue its long-standing relationship with the SABC. Season 17 of Takalani Sesame launched this week, on 7 April on SABC2, and will air weekdays at 15:00 in Sesotho. The season will then be broadcast in IsiNdebele from 28 April, with new episodes of Season 18 to follow concurrently thereafter.
“We’re thrilled to bring yet another groundbreaking set of educational episodes to South African children,” says Dr Onyinye Nwaneri, Managing Director of Sesame Workshop, South Africa.
“Forty-eight percent of children start school with significant developmental delays, which is why our next two seasons place a spotlight on School Readiness. We know that the first few years of a child’s life are crucial for brain development. We also believe that children are born ready to learn, and we have made it our goal to assist in enabling them to meet their appropriate developmental milestones and be school-ready,” says Nwaneri.
Season 17 of Takalani Sesame places focus on critical areas of School Readiness, incorporating an introduction to Science Concepts, with 13 new 5 minute segments “Watch Play Learn Science” episodes.
Season 18 continues the focus on School Readiness, concentrating on developing concrete processing skills, including creative thinking and task persistence to solve problems. A strong School Readiness theme runs throughout both seasons, with episodes featuring social-emotional learning, as well as songs about colours, shapes, affirmations, seasons, days of the week, and more.
“As we approach our 25th anniversary in South Africa, we’re excited to continue our quest to help children be the best they can be. As an organisation, we want to help children to be smarter, stronger and kinder, placing our focus on being a child’s trusted friend and a parent’s valued partner,” concludes Nwaneri.
Takalani Sesame Season 17 airs weekdays at 15:00 on SABC2, in Sesotho.
For more information, please visit takalanisesame.org.za
About Sesame Workshop International South AfricaSesame Workshop International South Africa is the global impact nonprofit whose mission is to help children everywhere to be stronger, smarter and kinder. For over 25 years, we have worked at the intersection of education, media, and research, creating joyful experiences that enrich minds and expand hearts, all in service of empowering each generation to build a better world.
Our beloved characters, iconic shows, direct services and outreach in communities bring playful early learning to children in the context of all the ecosystem partners (families, parents, ECD Centers, educational institutions etc.) that enable them to be the best they can be. Takalani Sesame, the South African adaptation of Sesame Street launched in 2000 and has impacted millions of young lives to date.
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About Takalani Sesame
Takalani Sesame is the ground-breaking South African children’s programme that has educated and entertained children for more than 24 years. 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.
Find and follow Takalani Sesame on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and via the website.
