In an exciting move to reach even more children across South Africa, Sesame Workshop International South Africa (SWISA) has announced the launch of multiple seasons of its award-winning children’s show, Takalani Sesame on Showmax this July. This marks a significant evolution for the series South African children have loved and learned from, since the year 2000. The move sees seasons 12 – 18 of Takalani Sesame being available on traditional broadcast TV, digital platforms and SVODs (Subscription Video on Demand) platforms – meeting children wherever they are and however they consume content.
“As part of our commitment to helping children become Smarter, Stronger and Kinder, we need to adapt to the changing media landscape by expanding access to our educational programming beyond traditional TV,” says Dr Onyinye Nwaneri, Managing Director of Sesame Workshop International South Africa.
Showmax will launch a new season of Takalani Sesame every Wednesday in July, starting with season 12 on 2 July 2025. This will be followed with the consecutive seasons being available each Wednesday the following week – just in time for the winter school holidays. In August, Showmax viewers will have the added benefit of watching all new seasons 17 and 18 of Takalani Sesame.
“9/10 of the most streamed titles on Showmax last year were local content, but for children, that figure was reversed,” says Tracy-Ann van Rooyen, executive head of content at Showmax. “Partnering with Takalani Sesame is a step towards addressing that imbalance and responding to the need for our children to see and hear themselves on our screens, in Afrikaans, Ndebele, Sotho and Zulu.”
As Sesame Workshop International South Africa celebrates its 25th anniversary in South Africa this July, this video-on-demand milestone underscores its long-standing commitment to educational excellence and child-centred programming.
“Children are consuming content in new and diverse ways, and in order to continue playing a meaningful role in their development, we are evolving to meet them where they are – across platforms and formats. This expansion allows us to reach more children, support their early learning journeys, and help close the developmental gaps that affect nearly half of children entering school,” adds Dr Nwaneri.
Forty-eight percent of our children start school with significant developmental delays, which is why our new seasons place a strong emphasis on School Readiness, supporting holistic Early Childhood Development through entertaining, research-backed content.
“We know that the first few years of a child’s life are crucial for brain development. We believe that children are born ready to learn, and our goal is to help them meet their developmental milestones so they can thrive when they enter school,” says Dr Nwaneri.
Season 17 places special focus on critical School Readiness skills, with a brand-new series of 13 five-minute episodes titled “Watch Play Learn Science.” These episodes introduce foundational science concepts in fun and engaging ways, designed to spark curiosity and cognitive development in young children.
Season 18 continues the School Readiness theme, exploring concrete processing skills including creative thinking, task persistence, and problem-solving. Both seasons feature social-emotional learning, and include original songs about colours, shapes, affirmations, seasons, and the days of the week, making learning joyful and memorable.
Takalani Sesame will be available on Showmax in Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Sotho, and Zulu. Showmax will launch a new season every Wednesday in July:
- S12 on 2nd July,
- S13 on 9th July,
- S14 on 16th July, and
- S15 on 23rd July.
- In August, Showmax viewers will be able to watch new seasons 17 and 18 of Takalani Sesame on demand.
“We’re excited to continue our quest to help children be the best they can be,” says Dr Nwaneri. “As an organisation, we want to be a child’s trusted friend and a parent’s valued partner, and by embracing digital expansion we can ensure that no child is left behind.”
For more information, please visit takalanisesame.org.za
