Takalani Sesame lands International Emmy nomation. (Takalani Sesame/Facebook)
- South Africa secures two 2024 International Emmy nominations for Die Brug and Takalani Sesame.
- Die Brug earns kykNET’s first-ever International Emmy nod, competing in Best non-scripted entertainment.
- Takalani Sesame was nominated in the Kids: factual category for its Big Feelings special.
The reality show Die Brug on kykNET and the educational children’s program Takalani Sesame have both received nominations for the 2024 International Emmy Awards.
South Africa received two Emmy nominations this year, down from three last year. This marks kykNET’s first-ever International Emmy nomination.
The shows are among 56 International Emmy nominees across 14 categories competing in the international awards, which will be held on 25 November in New York.
South Africa’s two nominees join this year’s contenders from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
“Every year, the international television community competes to be recognised on the International Emmys’ much-coveted global stage,” says Bruce L. Paisner, International Academy president and CEO, in a statement.
“We congratulate the nominees for their outstanding programs and performances; they are once again a testament to the universal appeal of great storytelling across all genres, countries and cultures.”
Die Brug, produced by Red Pepper Pictures for M-Net’s kykNET on MultiChoice’s DStv, has been renewed for a second season and is a nominee in the category for Best non-scripted entertainment.
The reality competition show, produced by Frederick Louw and Lindi Lucouw, is also a contender in the Best International format category for this year’s 18th South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs), which will be held in October in Johannesburg by the National Film and Television Foundation (NFVF).
READ | 2024’s SAFTA nominations announced: See all the dominators and new categories at this year’s event
In the category, Die Brug is up against Me Caigo De Risa (Anything Goes) from TelevisaUnivision in Mexico, Restaurant Misverstand (The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes) from Roses Are Blue in Belgium, and The Summit from Endemol Shine Australia in Australia.
“Die Brug is a very special format and somewhat of an enigma to produce,” says Cecil Barry, CEO of Red Pepper.
“Working with kykNET on this wonderful format was indeed a great adventure and privilege. We are proud and excited about this Emmy nomination, especially because it brings international recognition to kykNET and Red Pepper.”
A scene in Die Brug. (Supplied/kykNET)
Waldimar Pelser, M-Net director of premium channels, says, “When Marguerite Albrecht, one of the commissioning producers at kykNET, suggested in May 2022 that kykNET adapt the international format Die Brug for our viewers, we knew something exciting was coming”.
“The end product, produced by Red Pepper, provided our viewers with immense enjoyment. To receive international recognition for an Afrikaans production filmed near the picturesque Swellendam in the Southern Cape is immensely gratifying. And the second season will be airing on kykNET next year.”
Nomsa Philiso, MultiChoice’s CEO for general entertainment, says, “Die Brug is one of those rare reality shows that come along from time to time that turns the genre on its head.”
She adds:
We’re proud to have been able to adapt a top-notch international format for our local market – and produce such an amazing local version. Congratulations to our talented crew on bringing a uniquely South African flavour to Die Brug, which stands comfortably alongside versions produced anywhere else in the world.
The first season of Die Brug is currently available to stream on Showmax.
Takalani Sesame, nominated previously, is once again a nominee in the Kids: Factual category.
Takalani Sesame, which is broadcast on the South African public broadcaster’s SABC2 and produced by the Sesame Workshop and Ochre Moving Pictures, is nominated for its Takalani Sesame Big Feelings special.
In the category, Takalani Sesame competes against De Mensenbieb (Living Library) from Skyhigh TV in the Netherlands, La Vida Secreta de tu Mente (The Secret Life of Your Mind) from Warner Bros. Discovery in Mexico, as well as My Life: Eva’s Having a Ball from Fresh Start Media in the United Kingdom.