Read more: Phil Mphela Backing Down From A Fight
Entertainment Commentator Phil Mphela has announced that Nickelodeon Africa will soon release a full length version of Spongebob SquarePants in IsiZulu language. Many fans of the cartoons, especially the vernacular languages speakers will be thrilled to know that as soon as December, they can now stay entertained with this new release of Spongebob SquarePants in IsiZulu.
Taking to Twitter, Phil Mphela has tweeps abuzz following the announcement, while some tweeps are for the idea and some are against.
“TV: SpongeBob in Isizulu greenlit Nickelodeon Africa has announced the launch of full run of SpongeBob SquarePants: isiZulu Nickelodeon tested interest in an isiZulu-dubbed version in July this year and it worked. Starts December 5th on NickToons, @DStv 308″ wrote Entertainment Commentator Phil Mphela
TV: SpongeBob in Isizulu greenlit
Nickelodeon Africa has announced the launch of full run of SpongeBob SquarePants: isiZulu
Nickelodeon tested interest in an isiZulu-dubbed version in July this year and it worked.
Starts December 5th on NickToons, @DStv 308#KgopoloReports pic.twitter.com/K99uiB18y7
— Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) November 29, 2022
A robust debate has sparked on Twitter as non IsiZulu speakers have raised concerned about the language barrier already. The outraged tweeps are already up in arms with most of the television content coming out in IsiZulu, as they feel as though they are being left out on things.
“IsiZulu isn’t the only language in SA. They need to promote other languages. Re lapisiwa ke go rutiwa puo e nosi” wrote Lora Labard
IsiZulu isn’t the only language in SA. They need to promote other languages. Re lapisiwa ke go rutiwa puo e nosi
— Bikinyana (@Lora_Labarb) November 29, 2022
“The way they forcing the language down our throats it’s disrespectful and inferiority to other languages” wrote Lwazoluhle
The way they forcing the language down our throats 🚮 it’s disrespectful and inferiority to other languages
— TikaBomo 💣 (@Lwazoluhle101) November 29, 2022
“Instead of having Nickelodeon exploit the growth and interest in content in our own languages, brands like Noko Mashaba should be empowered and given air play. This is not gonna translate very well….” wrote Ntuthuko Zwane
Instead of having Nickelodeon exploit the growth and interest in content in our own languages, brands like Noko Mashaba should be empowered and given air play. This is not gonna translate very well….
— NtuthukoZwane (@N_Mangethe) November 29, 2022
“What about those kids who don’t understand zulu” wrote Define
What about those kids who don’t understand zulu
— define (@define1234) November 29, 2022
In a bigger scheme of things, the IsiZulu speaking people are above the moon. Tweeps have admitted being taken back to the old days of SABC, where cartoons were shown in different South African languages.
“my baby brother has been telling me about uSpongebob okhuluma IsiZulu. we’re soooo excited!!. It took ne back to the time my uncle came home with the Lion King yesiZulu sasijabuleni” wrote Siphokazi
my baby brother has been telling me about uSpongebob okhuluma IsiZulu. we’re soooo excited!!😂♥️. It took ne back to the time my uncle came home with the Lion King yesiZulu sasijabuleni🤣
— siphokazi (@KaziiMtshali_) November 29, 2022
“Wow I love that they did this. Takes me back to the days of SABC1 cartoons” wrote Miss Rose
Wow I love that they did this. Takes me back to the days of SABC1 cartoons
— Miss Rose (@JustOneRedRose) November 29, 2022
Spongebob SquarePants will start airing on the 5th December, 2022.
Read more: “Celebrities Lie. A Lot.” – Phil Mphela Defends Himself
