After a thrilling kick-off last Sunday [3 June], this week the Idols Season 8 judges move to uShaka Marine World in Durban for the KwaZulu-Natal auditions, where a fur seal named Jabulani falls in love with Gareth, Unathi gets pecked by an angry penguin, and Randall frightens the sharks.

The Kingdom of the Zulu’s finest singers all turn out for a chance at stardom, including a professional beach soccer player, a Miss South Africa finalist and a spiritual healer that puts Gareth in a Zen state! But they have to hit the high notes in the presence of some fearsome creatures. No, we’re not referring to Randall and co! For the first time, the auditions were filmed with uShaka’s big shark tank in the background.

M-Net’s Head of Communications, Lani Lombard, says the audition location for each city in the Idols audition tour was carefully chosen this season to showcase local tourist attractions. “The ominous shark tank at uShaka Marine World is possibly one of the most original backgrounds ever used in an Idols series.”

Will the Idols judges finally find what they are looking for: a new superstar…?

Don’t miss Episode 2 of Idols Season 8 on M-Net and Mzansi Magic this Sunday, 10 June, at 17:30.