Takalani Sesame ("be happy Sesame" in Venda) is the South African version of the children's television program Sesame Street, co-produced by Sesame Workshop and South African partners. The series debuted in 2000 and currently airs on SABC 2. According to Sesame Workshop, Takalani Sesame is a "uniquely South African interpretation of the Sesame model, engaging children and their parents and promoting basic school readiness, literacy, numeracy, and health and hygiene." Takalani Sesame also has a special focus on HIV/AIDS awareness and seeks to introduce HIV/AIDS safety while promoting tolerance and reducing stigma. The Takalani series also includes a popular radio program, a newspaper and magazine comic strip series, and a national campaign which encourages adults to talk to their children about HIV/AIDS and related issues. The show incorporates all of South Africa's 11 official languages: Afrikaans, English, Zulu, Xhosa, Swazi, Ndebele, Sesotho, Northern Sotho, Tsonga, Tswana and TshiVenda. Characters The series features a number of muppet characters. Kami, an HIV-positive five-year old muppet, joined the show in its third season in 2002. Basma and Jad, who both originated in Ahlan Simsim, debuted on Takalani in its thirteenth season. Other muppet characters include: Moshe Zikwe Kupukeji Elmo(named "Neno" from 2000 to 2016, or sometimes 2019) Zuzu Grover Guests Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan, and Nane Annan have made guest appearances on the show. Season 13 featured guest appearances from celebrities like Jason and Nicholas Goliath, David Kau, Sho Madjozi and Holly Rey. Crew Executive producer: Seipati Bulane-Hopa Chief producer: Horace Rayners Director of operations: Stan Joseph Line Producer: Shame Producer: Pulane Boesak Digital Producer: Joy Ngoma Episodes Season 11 of the show was scheduled to begin on 1 June 2020 on South African television channel SABC 2. Season 12 played from 7 June 2021 to 3 December 2021 at 15:30 weekdays on SABC 2. Season 12 currently repeats weekdays at 07:00 on Sabc1. Season 13 started on 6 June 2022 on Sabc2 at 15:30 and will run for 130 episodes. List of episodes Season 1 (September 2000 – March 2001) The Muppets sing "Doing the Family Thing" (2000) The Muppets see the importance of exercise in "What I Can Do" and "Mika Skipping Rope" (2000) The song "That's what friends are for" explores the qualities of a friend (2000) Zikwe writes a "book about me" (2000) Takalani Sesame is holding a party about food (2000) In "Sunrise to Sunset", we see