Do you think in LA they called Nandi and said we want to make a doll?
ON Tuesday Africa, in particular, South Africa was hit with a huge announcement when Lerato Molapo, popularly know as Lira received an honour from Barbie doll in celebrating their 60th anniversary honouring her with a doll that looks like her.
Following the big announcement, Mgosi couldn’t ignore that that doll has resemblances of Nandi Madida. To our eyes, it seemed like Lira was holding a deformed Nandi.
But on Thursday, Miss Lira rubbished the claims and asked: Do you think they called Nandi and said we want to make a doll? Which by the way sounded very shady.
“It’s a doll darling and it can’t be identical and I am happy to be honoured,” she says.
When asked if she has noticed that the doll does have Nandi’s features she said she has nothing further to say.
“I have nothing further to say you can write what you want. Wow! Wow! Wow!” she said before hanging up the phone.
Speaking to Madida, she says, “She looks amazing and so does the doll. I think we should be celebrating her making history and the fact that young girls of colour like my daughter will have a doll to identify with. What a time to be alive!”
Our Celebrity Columnist Chang, also weighed in on the matter, “It’s been a very challenging week in South Africa. Besides Lira’s end of the road in matrimony, she has found comfort with a Nandi Madida look-alike Barbie doll. We are still trying to accept the twins. We hope to meet them in the streets and find out more.”
The Barbie design team diligently worked on a one of kind doll to the likeness of Lira. During this process, Lira was consulted on the development of the doll to ensure she was happy with how it was produced and she made great inputs such as the textiles and design of the vestment of the doll to celebrate South Africa. – Mattel Global.
Anyway, Mgosi says, whether the doll looks like Nandi or not, it’s a great celebration of African women.