Boitumelo Betty Maretele

Boitumelo Betty Maretele is a South African actress and puppeteer who is best known for performing the character Zuzu on the South African co-production of Sesame Street, Takalani Sesame. She's also credited for additional song translation on the show. Boitumelo guest starred on two episodes of Sesame Street for its 48th season performing Zuzu. Maretele is one of the few people to play an international character on Sesame Street without the voice being dubbed over by someone else. She also performed on Panwapa as the voice of Athena the Owl while Fran Brill puppeteered. There is one thing I don't understand, if she's credited as a Muppet performer on Sesame Street and Takalani Sesame, then why did she only supply her voice on Panwapa. Boitumelo Betty Maretele, along with Nigel Plaskitt were the only people to voice act on that project while others puppeteered their characters. I read that she and her character also appeared on an international Sesame Street special called Elmo's World News which features many international Sesame Street characters. It's a shame that there aren't a lot of South African shows that feature puppetry. Boitumelo would have been great operating many puppet characters for all those other projects featuring puppetry. Maretele is one of the many puppeteers to have three names, others include Michael Elizabeth Huston, David Matthew Feldman and more. I wonder what sort of projects she did as an actress. The mystery will be solved someday. Boitumelo Betty Maretele, you are pretty amazing doing both Sesame Street and Takalani Sesame. You also sounded wise voicing Athena on Panwapa. I hope that you'll remember Takalani Sesame when it ends and maybe think about doing another international Sesame Street crossover someday. It might not happen just yet, but soon you will have your chance. Until then, keep on puppeteering Boitumelo. You're a real "hoot" Maretele!