Spongebob

Spongebob Squarepants. Image via Twitter @fyeahdubs

Viewers in stitches as SpongeBob goes Zulu for his 36th birthday [watch]

‘Zulu SpongeBob is literally the funniest thing I’ve seen in a while’: viewers are loving the Bikini Bottom residences’ new language.

Spongebob

Spongebob Squarepants. Image via Twitter @fyeahdubs

Television channel Nickelodeon had many tweeps laughing out loud as they watched Spongebob Squarepants speaking IsiZulu.

On 14 July, the channel decided to do something a little different to celebrate the 36th birthday of the yellow cartoon character, who lives in a pineapple under the sea, when an episode of the show in IsiZulu aired.

ZULU SPONGEBOB HITS THE SCREENS

While the very first episode of the much-loved Spongebob SquarePants cartoon show aired on 1 May 1999, he was born on 14 July 14 1986, the Citizen reports.

According to the channel, the episode is a first in Africa and is dedicated to teaching and celebrating IsiZulu as one of the official languages in South Africa.

“We are thrilled to present the premiere of the first SpongeBob SquarePants episode in IsiZulu. This is a first in Africa. This provides audiences the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the iconic world of Bikini Bottom like never before

“This is one of the many steps we are taking in our commitment to being more inclusive and more localised, while celebrating Africa’s rich and colourful heritage and local languages,” said Dillon Khan, senior vice-president Nickelodeon Africa.

Spongebob Squarepants: IsiZulu aired on his birthday at 14:30 CAT on DStv’s NickToons channel 308 and there have been repeats since.

ALSO READ: ‘Real-life’ SpongeBob and Patrick Star spotted in Atlantic Ocean [photos]

VIEWERS REACT

“NickToons is re-releasing SpongeBob SquarePants in Zulu…lol…I find that pretty dope to be honest,” a tweep wrote.

“Me and the daughter we watching SpongeBob SquarePants the Zulu version on Nicktoons. Akasahleki nje [she can’t stop laughing],” one father wrote.

“Zulu SpongeBob is literally the funniest thing I’ve seen in a while,” one tweep wrote.