Baba Indaba launches in November

Natalie Naude, show director of Baba Indaba, says: "SABC and Sanlam will provide an entertaining educational aspect to the Expo and children visiting the show will also have the opportunity to meet and greet the characters of this popular educational programme."

Joe Nkosi, SABC Brand Manager, says: "Baba Indaba provides the perfect opportunity to build loyalty among our young viewers, as well as exposing our show to parents and encouraging them to select Takalani Sesame for their toddlers' viewing."

SABC1 and 2 will be promoting Baba Indaba as part of the Expo's marketing campaign.

Naude says they have pulled out all the stops to put together interesting exhibitors, speakers and interactive features for the benefit of parents and a variety of fun activities to enthrall their little ones: "The Sunlight Information Theatre, with back to back talks from healthcare and child behaviour specialists, as well as the Your Family Kids Kitchen serving breakfast, lunch, tea party and dinner menus, guaranteed to appeal to the child's palate, are two other interactive features adding draw-cards to Baba Indaba."

One of the fastest growing sectors within the retail trade is the Baby products sector: "A turn-around in performance across all segments, with innovative products, lateral ideas and the attraction of new consumers into the market has created the need for Baba Indaba to go national."

Modeled on the successful baby shows held in the UK, Baba Indaba promises to be an event that caters for 20 odd different categories appealing to parents and families of babies and toddlers (0-5 years).

Partnering with the Red Cross Children's Hospital, Baba Indaba will endeavour to donate 5% of ticket proceeds to the Burns Unit, and a giant mural - the Hands-On Project - will be mounted within the Expo, where visitors can assist the Red Cross by donating R10 in exchange for a colourful handprint.