Nickelodeon; Sandton City; and DStv are proud to present global superstars, kids' animated heroes and box office sensations, SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer. The yellow sea sponge and the adventurous Latina heroine well-loved by Nickelodeon viewers will be making their first-ever public appearance in South Africa at Sandton City between 2 and 5 July.

Get down to Sandton City's Fountain Court and you could find yourself visiting an outpost of Bikini Bottom - the surreal and colourful undersea world inhabited by SpongeBob and his friends. Join in all the adventure and excitement of these world famous cartoon characters, meet SpongeBob and Dora the Explorer in person, or take part in SpongeBob- and Dora-themed activities including a mechanical surfboard; games; crafts; and rides.

Fresh from his recent trip to Namibia and hot on the heels of his win as Coolest Cartoon Character at the 2009 Sunday Times Generation Next Awards, SpongeBob SquarePants is the likeable animated character whose top rated hit TV series, SpongeBob SquarePants, has been running on TV channels around the world for nearly 10 years. An unlikely hero, SpongeBob is a naive yet optimistic yellow sponge who works in the Krusty Krab restaurant as the Head Fry Cook. Airing in South Africa on DStv Channel 305 four times every day, and every weekend on SABC2, SpongeBob has become a global pop culture icon, attracting celebrity fans such as Johnny Depp; Bruce Willis; Sigourney Weaver; and David and Victoria Beckham. Even America's First Lady, Michelle Obama has got in on the act – recently quoted as saying “It's a SpongeBob world, we just live in it”.

Attractive TV heroine Dora the Explorer has become a preschool favourite around the world, adored by kids and parents alike, for her positive, 'can-do' attitude and adventurous, curious nature. In each episode of her TV series, Dora, her monkey friend Boots, and her trusty rucksack travel through a magical world, solving puzzles with the help of her young viewers to complete a specific task or quest. Dora the Explorer can be seen every day on Nickelodeon (DStv Channel 305) at 08:00.

SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer will be Sandton City Fountain Court between 10:00 and 16:00 from Thursday, 2 July to Sunday, 5 July.

Be Square! Be There!

For further information or images please contact: Melinda Connor by emailing [email protected]