Fixing for a SlimeFest at uShaka
Mutant Turtles and rap MCs will entertain families at Easter, writes Tanya Waterworth
RAPPERS Emtee and KO, as well as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora & Friends will all be slipping and sliding at Africa’s first SlimeFest to be held in Durban at uShaka Marine World on April 8 and 9.
In partnership with Nickelodeon Africa and Durban Tourism, uShaka will be transformed into an “icky, sticky, squelchy, green and orange paradise for all the family to enjoy”, according to the organisers.
There will be an interactive Slime Zone, where older kids can take part in a Slime Blaster Battle, have a relaxing Slime Shower, slide around the Zorb Ball Slime Pool or try a bout of Slime Sumo. There will also be skateboard workshops with professionals in action.
For younger kids, there will be a whole cast of Nickelodeon characters ready for a sing-aalong, including the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora & Friends and Chase & Marshall from Paw Patrol.
And for the tiny tots, there will be games, soft play and treasure hunts in the Preschool Zone.
A huge line-up of celebs will be on stage for a three-hour concert each day at Wet ‘n Wild, including Emtee, Cassper Nyovest, Mafikizolo, The Kiffness, KO, Twins on Decks and Timo ODV.
Hosts for the weekend will be Joey Rasdien and Nomzamo Mbatha.
This week, Rasdien, one of the country’s favourite comedians, said he was looking forward to a weekend of fun in the sun.
“I love Durban crowds and there’s going to be something for everybody, so entire families can come,” he said.
Senior vice-president of Viacom International Media Networks Africa, Alex Okosi, said: “SlimeFest is one of Nickelodeon’s most engaging event franchises around the world and we are delighted to partner with uShaka Marine World to bring this to African shores for the first time.
“Combining Nickelodeon’s beloved TV characters, great music and star power, and a host of slime-oriented activities, SlimeFest is sure to be a big success.”
Launched in Australia in 2012 and rolled out to Spain in 2015 and the UK and Italy in 2016, Nickelodeon’s SlimeFest has rapidly grown as a familyfriendly music festival.
And with school holidays taking place during the Easter break, the CEO of uShaka Marine World, Stella Khumalo, said the festival would provide a range of slime-related activities and games all day long.
“uShaka is a trendsetter when it comes to providing entertainment that appeals to a wide range of people and this will be no exception. In fact, we are looking forward to adding a whole new dimension to our fun in the sun offering in April,” said Khumalo.
Tickets are available at Computicket or uShaka Marine World’s online ticketing service, from R250 for a single ticket and R230 per ticket for a family of four, or R220 for groups of ten or more. Entry is free for children under 3 and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Ticket price includes entry into uShaka Marine World, the Dolphinarium, Aquarium and Wet ‘n Wild, with the exception of Sea Animals Encounter Island.